Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

Jolly Thinkers, Across the Board, Angry Lion Games · Board game · 2014
4–12 · best 7 20 min Weight 1.6/5
rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love social deduction games with a unique twist and plenty of player interaction, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong is a must-try! Its clever silent communication mechanic for the Forensic Scientist truly sets it apart.

Highlights
  • Engaging social deduction with hidden roles
  • Unique silent communication mechanic
  • High player count flexibility
  • Promotes deduction and deception
  • Quick to learn, deep to master
Keep in mind
  • Requires a good Forensic Scientist
  • Can be frustrating for some roles
  • Best with higher player counts
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
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About the game
Get ready for a dose of mystery and plenty of laughs in Deception: Murder in Hong Kong! In this game for 4 to 12 players, the premise is simple, but the challenge is enormous: a murder has occurred, and the group needs to discover the culprit, the weapon, and the key evidence. The problem? The killer is at the table, disguised as an investigator! At the start of the game, everyone receives a secret role: you could be an Investigator trying to uncover the truth, the Murderer who needs to deceive everyone, an Accomplice helping the Murderer, or even a Witness who saw something but doesn't quite know what. Oh, and there's the Forensic Scientist, who knows everything but can only communicate using crime scene tiles, without uttering a single word!

The Forensic Scientist is the key to the investigators' victory, as they hold the solution to the crime. They will use the scene tiles to give visual clues about the murder weapon and the key evidence, while the investigators try to decipher these signals. The Murderer and their Accomplice, on the other hand, will do everything to divert attention, casting suspicion on the innocent and confusing the clues. It's a true mental tug-of-war, where observation, deduction, and the ability to bluff are your best weapons. Investigators win if they correctly identify both the weapon and the evidence. But beware: if the Murderer is discovered, they can still turn the tables if they manage to identify the Witness! Who will be the master of deduction and who will get away with the perfect crime?
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Deception: Murder in Hong Kong English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
4 OK
5 REC
6 BEST
7 BEST
8 BEST
9 REC
10 REC
11 REC
12 OK
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Game details

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Deception – Murder in Hong Kong Game: Werewolf / Mafia Mechanism: Give a Clue / Get a Clue Players: Games with expansions that change player count Players: One versus Many
Publisher Jolly Thinkers, Across the Board, Angry Lion Games, Doit Games, Gémklub, Grey Fox Games
Designer Tobey Ho
Artist Ari Wong, Ben Carre, Marcin Adamski, Tommy Ng
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can participate in Deception: Murder in Hong Kong?
Deception is super versatile! It can be played by 4 to 12 people, making it perfect for gatherings with friends or parties.
What is the average game duration?
A game is quick, usually taking about 20 minutes. Ideal for playing multiple rounds or fitting between other activities.
Is Deception: Murder in Hong Kong a complex game?
Not at all! It has a very light complexity rating (1.59/5 on BGG), meaning it's easy to learn and teach, even for those new to board games.
What are the 'visual clues' from the Forensic Scientist?
The Forensic Scientist uses special tiles with images to give hints about the murder weapon and the key evidence. They cannot speak, so interpreting these images is crucial for the investigators!
Who is Deception: Murder in Hong Kong for?
It's perfect for anyone who loves mystery games, deduction, bluffing, and lots of social interaction. If you enjoy uncovering secrets and deceiving your friends, you'll have a blast!
Do I need a lot of space to play?
No! The game doesn't require much table space, making it ideal to play anywhere that can accommodate the players and the few components.
What is the ultimate goal of the game?
Investigators need to correctly identify the murder weapon and the key evidence. The murderer and their accomplice try to prevent this from happening, or, if discovered, to identify the witness to still win.