The Menace Among Us

Embark on a tense journey of intrigue and survival in deep space with The Menace Among Us! Your vessel is adrift, powerless, and bleeding oxygen, and the crew must unite to make urgent repairs before the air runs out. But, as always, not everything is as it seems: imposters are infiltrated among you, ready to sabotage efforts and eliminate the crew, either by force or by asphyxiation. The question is: can you identify them in time, or will you succumb to the menace lurking in plain sight?

This is an asymmetrical card game for 4 to 8 players, with matches lasting 40 to 60 minutes. At the start, each player receives a secret Agenda: it could be a loyal Crew member, a dangerous Menace, or a Coward who just wants to survive, no matter the side. Your Agenda defines your team and individual goals, as well as special abilities and the composition of your initial 13-card deck. Then, you choose a Character who adds 7 more cards to your deck, creating a unique combination, and grants two specialized Above Deck Actions. Gameplay focuses much more on how you use your cards and abilities than on direct accusations. 'Below Deck Actions' are played secretly and shuffled, where Menaces sabotage and the Crew tries to repair. If too few crew members risk going below deck, EmMA (Emergency Maintenance Assistant) helps, but can also introduce damaging cards, providing an excuse for the Menaces. Above Deck Actions, however, are visible to all, but cost vital resources like Energy and Oxygen. Distrust is key: did someone act strangely to fulfill a personal goal, or are they a Menace? You can vote to expose them, but if you're wrong, you waste precious oxygen. The Crew wins if they eliminate the Menaces and restore Energy to a safe threshold before oxygen runs out. The Menaces win if they prevent this or eliminate the Crew. Surviving and achieving your individual goal still earns commendation points!