Ghost Letters

Economicus Games, BORGOS · Board game · 2020
Ludopedia 7.4 BGG 2–12 · best 7 30–60 min Weight 1.9/5
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rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a good mystery with a dash of bluffing and lots of social interaction, Ghost Letters is a sure bet! It blends the tension of deduction with the fun of a party game, where everyone has a crucial role in the investigation... or in sabotaging it. The experience is super engaging, with everyone actively participating, trying to read between the lines and figure out who's telling the truth and who's just trying to deceive you. Perfect for livening up the group and ensuring good laughs and (friendly, of course) accusations.

Highlights
  • Deduction and bluffing combined
  • Intense social interaction
  • Dynamic hidden roles
  • Highly replayable
  • Supports many players
Keep in mind
  • Language dependency
  • Requires an engaged group
  • Can have 'quarterbacking'
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In <b>Ghost Letters</b>, you and your friends dive into a criminal mystery, taking on the roles of detectives searching for the truth. The crime scene is full of clues—twelve, to be exact—but only three of them are truly important for solving the case. The big twist is that one of you is the victim's Ghost, an essential figure trying to guide the investigation, and another is the Murderer, who will do everything to confuse everyone and sabotage progress. The dynamic is as follows: detectives select and send clues to the Ghost. The Ghost, in turn, chooses the most relevant ones and reveals them as 'Hints'. Meanwhile, the Murderer (and their possible Accomplices, depending on the number of players) springs into action, bluffing about the cards sent and not revealed by the Ghost, and spreading misinformation in discussions. The detectives' goal is, within three rounds, to identify the three true clues or, alternatively, two true clues and, crucially, the Murderer. The experience intensifies with more players, introducing new roles like Witness, Expert, and Blackmailer, each with their own objectives and interactions. For those seeking even more depth, the extended mode adds characters with special abilities, making each game unique. It's a game that perfectly balances logical deduction with social interaction and bluffing, ensuring everyone is actively involved, whether sending clues, discussing open hints, or trying to unmask the imposters.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–12 players
2 OK
3 OK
4 REC
5 REC
6 REC
7 BEST
8 BEST
9 BEST
10 BEST
11 REC
12 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Digital Implementations: Tabletopia
Publisher Economicus Games, BORGOS
Designer Nikita Kuznetsov

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

685owners
87wishlist
9want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players does Ghost Letters support?
Ghost Letters is quite versatile! It can be played by 2 to 12 people, and the experience changes significantly with the number of participants, adding more roles and complexity.
What's the average playtime for a game?
Get ready for a quick and intense session! A game of Ghost Letters usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and the group's pace.
Is it a complex game to learn?
Not at all! The basic rules are very easy to pick up, which makes it great for introducing new players. The complexity comes from the social interactions and bluffing, not the rules themselves.
Do I need many components to play?
No! One of the advantages of Ghost Letters is that it uses minimal components. The focus is on the clue cards and player interaction, making it easy to transport and set up.
Is the game language dependent?
Yes, there is moderate language dependency. The clue cards have images, but communication and bluffing are central, so a good understanding of the language (or a translated sheet/cards) helps a lot.
Is it a cooperative or competitive game?
It's a mix! In the 2-3 player mode, it's fully cooperative. But with more people, it becomes semi-cooperative and competitive, with hidden roles and conflicting objectives among players.
Who is Ghost Letters recommended for?
It's perfect for those who enjoy social deduction, bluffing, and hidden role games. If you like titles like 'Mafia' or 'The Resistance,' but are looking for something with a more structured and visual twist, you'll love it!

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