Werewolf

Werewolf

BluffingDeductionHorrorMurder / Mystery
Players
8-24
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
13 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
60 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
8+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
1.4 / 5
Year
1986

About the game

Werewolf (also known as Mafia) is the iconic social deduction party game where a hidden minority of Werewolves secretly hunts the Villagers of a small town. Each night, the Werewolves choose a victim while the Seer investigates a suspect, and each day the surviving Villagers debate and vote to eliminate whoever they suspect is a Werewolf. Villagers win by rooting out every Werewolf, while the Werewolves win by matching the Villagers in number. Requiring no equipment beyond role cards and a moderator, it's built for large groups who love bluffing, accusation, and tension.

Hobbli's Notes

Werewolf is a cornerstone of the social deduction genre, and Hobbli's team considers it a must-have for any group that regularly plays with large numbers of people. The bluffing and accusation phases generate genuinely memorable table drama, especially with a skilled moderator running the night and day cycles smoothly. It does mean eliminated players sit out for the rest of the game, which can be a drawback for younger or less patient groups. Still, as a zero-prep, endlessly replayable party classic, it's hard to beat.

What we like

  • Requires no components beyond simple role cards.
  • Scales to huge groups of 8 to 24 players.
  • Builds intense social deduction and bluffing at the table.
  • Endlessly replayable with countless role variants.
  • Excellent icebreaker for large parties and gatherings.

Keep in mind

  • Eliminated players have nothing to do until the game ends.
  • Requires a strong, engaged moderator to run smoothly.
  • Downtime can be significant with very large groups.
  • Accusations and bluffing can create real tension or hurt feelings.

Who it's for

Perfect for large groups who enjoy social deduction and bluffing, ages 8 and up, ideally with 8 or more players.

Mechanics

Hidden Roles / TraitorNegotiationPlayer EliminationRole PlayingRoles with Asymmetric InformationTeam-Based GameVariable Player PowersVoting

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