—
rating
Ludopedia
6.8
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for groups who love bluffing and enjoy fast-paced social deduction games with twists.
Highlights
- Dynamic loyalty shifting
- Fast and addictive gameplay
- Clever drafting mechanic
- Constant social interaction
Keep in mind
- Requires an engaged group
- Draft luck can influence outcome
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Ever thought about playing a betrayal game where you can switch sides mid-match? In Secret Societies, loyalty is fluid, and adaptability is your greatest weapon. You and your friends fight for power among three factions: The Order, Chaos, and Secrets. The twist here is that you don't start with a fixed role; your loyalty is shaped by the cards you decide to keep in your hand throughout the game.
The dynamics are fast and simultaneous. Each turn, you draw two cards: one you keep (which defines who you are) and the other you reveal (which gives opponents clues about what you discarded). It's a game of constant bluffing. If you get caught in a lie during the voting phase, don't panic! The game is clever enough that those who are 'exposed' can actually end up with an advantage.
The final goal depends on which faction dominates the board at the end. If anyone is loyal to Secrets, they win (but be careful, Secret cards are extremely rare!). If The Order manages to keep its Scrolls safe and has a presence on the table, The Order wins. Chaos, on the other hand, wins if they manage to steal all the Scrolls or eliminate The Order's influence. And for those who like to play solo against everyone, there are Bribes: if you collect the most of them and none are displayed at the end, the victory is exclusively yours. It's an intense, fast-paced psychological duel, perfect for those who love social deduction but want something more dynamic than the traditional 'who is the impostor?' style.
The dynamics are fast and simultaneous. Each turn, you draw two cards: one you keep (which defines who you are) and the other you reveal (which gives opponents clues about what you discarded). It's a game of constant bluffing. If you get caught in a lie during the voting phase, don't panic! The game is clever enough that those who are 'exposed' can actually end up with an advantage.
The final goal depends on which faction dominates the board at the end. If anyone is loyal to Secrets, they win (but be careful, Secret cards are extremely rare!). If The Order manages to keep its Scrolls safe and has a presence on the table, The Order wins. Chaos, on the other hand, wins if they manage to steal all the Scrolls or eliminate The Order's influence. And for those who like to play solo against everyone, there are Bribes: if you collect the most of them and none are displayed at the end, the victory is exclusively yours. It's an intense, fast-paced psychological duel, perfect for those who love social deduction but want something more dynamic than the traditional 'who is the impostor?' style.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
4
REC
5
BEST
6
BEST
7
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Self-Published)
Designer
Kyle Weaver
Artist
Kyle Weaver
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How long does a game take?
It's very quick! Games last between 10 and 20 minutes, making it great as an opener or for multiple rounds.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! It has a low weight (2.33 on BGG), so the rules are simple and players catch on quickly.
How many people can play?
The game is designed for groups of 4 to 7 players. The more people, the more chaos and lies!
Do I need experience with deduction games?
Not necessary, but those who enjoy games like Resistance or Coup will feel right at home.
What's in the box?
Essentially a deck of cards featuring the different factions, bribes, and scrolls.