Awesome list. You’ve got some I wanna check out. Still haven’t gotten enough people to try warring colonies but Dead of Winter was my first hidden traitor game and still one of the best.
Secret Hitler not being on this list is an absolute crime. Such an elegant game from the design to the theme to the mechanics. The only issue with it is that you really need 8+ players (ideally 10) for the game to shine as there are some pretty awful balance issues with the lower player counts. I've put in so many hours into this game and just can't get enough of it. And it should exclusively be played in person in my opinion.
It's definitely designed with quality over quantity. I really like that they went for the big wooden title plaques. It's a popular enough game that you should find someone else who has it and give it a try and then buy it for yourself if you like it enough. There's also ways to play it online for free but it really should be done in person. And of course you can look to pick it up used or on sale.
Nice video. I was banking on Shadows being #1. I also miraculously have the Merlin expansion. Woo hoo! I've gotta say your review of it was what made me buy it a few months back. I think your comment that all you are doing is playing cards but it feel so much more than that is bang on true! I'm gonna share your channel in a Facebook group and hope you get some love on the channel. Keep on churning the videos out! 😁👍🏻
Just found your channel, and come to find out that your favorite Hidden Traitor game is my all time favorite game! Yeah, I know playing poker hands to achieve quests isn't exactly thematic, but man the cards and figurines are gorgeous. And it's such an easy one to teach. I also got the Merlin expansion years back as a Christmas gift. Since getting it, I've only one the game once, and it was only because there ended up being no traitor, haha.
@@BoardGameBollocks Oh, absolutely. It makes the game WAY harder, but I wouldn't play without it. I also love that the travel cards have Monty Python references on them, haha
Room 25 I just bough a used version because the shops have only the expansions for it at this point - the core box was made that insert holds all expansions - it can be played up to 8 players so despite the player elimination I wanted to have something for larger number of players just bellow the mafia limit.
Excellent vid just got and played the thing the board game, the new one I was surprised how fun and good it was, a real good laugh and a bit thinky. Have a gander.
@@BoardGameBollocks I'd prefer to be Shitler. Not entirely comfortable with being Hitler, even in a game... Think we'll make that our new house rule then.
You forgot the Number Two graphic, that’s what you forgot! ✌🏻 Great list as always. I still need to play Shadows Over Camelot, though I keep hoping it’ll get reprinted someday.
Excellent summary, thanks! We have enjoyed a few of those, as well as the Thing game, which is good up to around 8 players. Thanks for the recommendations on ones I didn't know about!
Played Deception: Murder in Hong Kong last weekend and had a blast. Will be checking out Police Precinct and some day I hope to get Unfathomable to the table.
I came here to fight if Dead of Winter wasn't on the list. #2 is a respectable spot. It's basically my favorite game and has been since it came out It's so hackable, you can be a nutcase like me and turn the Dead of Winter crossroads deck into a phone app, that way the person "drawing" can only see the trigger until the trigger is pulled, this was something that bothered me about the base game. Also I wanted to fix a few crossroads cards that have too easy... or should I say not hard enough decisions. Also I wanted to incorporate some of the promo crossroads cards but couldn't find them and didn't want to hunt them down. Also I wanted to write my own crossroads cards and hated the tools on the Plaid Hat Games site.. I've also got all the promo characters for it, and expansions (even the character promos they hid in a whole different game that shall not be mentioned), and built my own Frankenstein version of DoW that includes nearly all the characters (not bubbles) nearly all the locations (not raxxon) and the Raxxon super-zombies (but they are basically boss battles spawned by crossroads cards and Raxxon itself isn't mentioned). I've heard many sing praises of Shadows over Camelot but it's never been one to draw me in. Could be the theme, could be what I saw of the gameplay. What do you think of Diplomacy, the "Whoops all traitors" game?
Fantasy Flight Games has recently re-skinned and re-released BSG, now known as Unfathomable. They streamlined a few things, re-working it into a bit more manageable game. It's still long (~3 hours) but perhaps not as long as its predecessor, and in my opinion the new theme, which sits firmly in the HPL-based Arkham Horror universe really vibes well with the tension of the game. If you like BSG, you should definitely check it out!
Agreed. Cthulhu doesn't feel over used for me because I really enjoy the mythos. Also for a game that long I'd have a really hard time convincing my group to devote the time to a bsg themed game (even if I like the ip). Having said that shadows is not only my favorite hidden traitor game but one of my all time favorites. Theme and components are great. It's VERY accessible and can be challenging while also being very winnable. It's my go to when introducing new players to the hobby.
So what I did. Grab the Spanish version and get the files out of the Vassal modules. Paste up the game. I can send you a link to the cards if you like.
Thanks again; great video. I would have Nemesis as my no.1 for the fun, tension and story generating experiences I have had playing it. I do love Deception M in HK and Shadows over Camelot as 2nd&3rd favourites.
It’s been out of print for a couple of years and recently got reprinted at the same time as another Thing game. Was going to pull the trigger but couldn’t and still can’t decide which one is better. Any ideas?
@@BoardGameBollocks I actually have a copy from the first printing, but due to the games minimum of 4 player count haven't ever got the game on the board ... I'm reduced to a very low gaming group of one or two people right now :( I've hung on to it because, like you pointed out in the vid, I like the Carpenter movie and I hope, one day, to have my sons make the cross Canada journey and make it playable! I'm wondering, what's the other 'Thing' game you mentioned?
@@BoardGameBollocks Oh, very good, BGG says its got a player count of 1 to 8 ... so, solitaire or one other friendly. I will look into this one. Thank's and hope you can land a copy of either or both games yourself. Look forward to a review or two if you do.
Are you reading my mind? Because I was searching for hidden traitor games just yesterday, so... perfect timing! BTW, since your group is six players, have you tried New Angeles? I think you'll enjoy it, but it's a long and heavy game. I haven't tried it myself, but heard good things about it, and I think it has a traitor role. I'd love to see a live play-through of this one! Greetings from Jordan 👋🏼
I’ve not payed it due to its length but it’s cheap over here so you never know…nice to see my channel reaching a diverse range of places. Thanks for your interest 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks not yet, as I figured all the time, buying boardgames sent from overseas can even mean more expensive postage than the items price! I try to keep them local or at the very least Singapore (in Indonesia and even delivery from Singapore and Australia can be expensive).
Xpectorate innit. Some fairly loose parameters you’re using here. Generally these are all acceptable although not my favourite genre. Probably because if I draw the traitor I start sweating my leg is twitching like a randy dog and I start slurring and stuttering. Strangely I never seem to win...
