Over the last year, Among Us has taken the Internet by storm with its unique social deduction game elements. Tabletop games, however, have been using similar gameplay mechanics for more than three decades. Innersloth's 2018 debut, Among Us, saw an uptick in sales as popular gaming streamers around the world regularly paired up with friends and family to find a deadly Imposter, sparking more public interest in the social deduction genre (a Crewmate has even been modded into Super Smash Bros. Brawl).
For the uninitiated, Social Deduction games are those that give players the objective of working together to identify a deadly spy or traitor, with both sides using clever questioning and debating tactics to survive. Though there are several comparisons to be made between Among Us and some of its precursors, tabletop games can be equally intriguing for fans.
9 Werewolf
Originally published in 1986 as Mafia, Werewolf employs many elements of horror and folklore to keep players interested. The rules include the use of a Day/Night cycle, where players are likely to mysteriously vanish through the night, only to leave an entire village stricken with panic during the day.
One player is assigned as the game's Moderator, who may then randomly select one (or multiple) players to be a Werewolf. Another person is the Seer, who can see werewolves (similarly to the latest Sheriff mod in Among Us), but only at night, while a Doctor is assigned to heal wounded players. Everyone else who is not given a specific role will be a Villager.
8 Hail Hydra
Marvel fans are given a chance to join The Avengers with this 2020 tabletop release. Only one catch: some of the villains who cross their paths have secret agents working for them, and not every player is telling the truth.
The core objective is for members of S.H.I.E.L.D. to defeat three lethal foes and save New York City before Hydra can destroy it. The secret spy (the equivalent of the dastardly Imposters of Among Us) is determined, at random, before the game begins and players are all given attack cards to use intermittently, as well as special abilities that are unique to their selected hero.
7 The Chameleon
This 2018 mystery game requires one person to shuffle a number of playing cards that match the number of players at the table, then deal out all of the cards face down -- with one person being the Chameleon.
Next, a blue 8-sided die is rolled with a yellow 6-sided die (dice being crucial equipment for players of tabletop games), where a chart will be used to determine a secret word based on the dice results. Everyone but the Chameleon will know what it is, prompting them to use a vague description of the word to avoid getting caught. If everyone gives up looking for them or runs out of time, the Chameleon wins.
6 Tortuga 1667
Players will sail the Caribbean while assuming the roles of gold smuggling pirates in this 2017 Social Deduction adventure.
After being randomly selected to secretly pledge loyalty to either the British or the French, players will rely on either trust or persuasion to score golden treasure from a nearby Spanish warship on the game's board. The chief goal is for one side to finish with most (if not all) of the gold, before being taken out at sea or marooned on the island of Tortuga.
5 Deception: Murder In Hong Kong
A team of investigators is sent to the Chinese city of Hong Kong to solve a murder. Only one problem -- one of the homicide detectives is actually the Killer. Each player is given a unique role between Forensic Scientist, Investigator, Accomplice, Witness, and Killer.
With a clear task of taking actions in order to deduce who the murderer is (a familiar notion for Among Us veterans), this thriller has one clever twist: if the sole Witness is identified, even while the Killer is arrested, their Accomplice may kill them before the game is over. This would result in a last-minute win for the villains.
4 A Fake Artist Goes To New York
This original Japanese game (now translated in English), requires players to put their doodling skills to the test if they are to achieve victory. One person who serves as the Question Master will pass out cards that match the number of players around the table, with a specific word they write on it.
Whoever receives the card with an "X" on it is the "Fake Artist". Then, using a drawing pad and marker, everyone will pass the pad around and draw one shape or line that is relevant to the word they were given. If the Fake Artist does not sketch something that makes sense to the image being drawn, they risk getting immediately caught by their peers. Be sneaky!
3 Two Rooms And A Boom!
This intense party game tasks six players (who are divided into two teams of three labeled as Red and Blue) to remain physically separated from each other for five timed rounds.
The Blue Team has a secret 'President' player they must keep safe in one room until the end of the final round. If the secret Bomber for the Red team deduces the President player's identity and winds up in the same room as them, the Red team wins and the Blue Team's leader is defeated.
2 Saboteur
The mission here is for the players to work creatively as a means to strike gold. Only, except for being the British or the French team, they are secretly given the roles of Miners and Saboteurs.
On each turn, Miners will place Tunnel cards onto the table, distributed at the beginning of the game, in hopes of mining their way into closed areas where gold is hidden. The Saboteurs will do their best to strategically block their pathways. If the Saboteurs are successful, the Miners will walk away empty-handed.
1 The Resistance
This game allows two teams, divided by the colors Red and Blue, to work together. Except, this time, their intent is to either dismantle or uphold the military base of an all-powerful Empire.
Everyone begins the game with their eyes closed, while a Leader player asks the Spies to open theirs and reveal themselves. Once the Spies all identify one another, the game officially begins, with missions being voted on and carried out by members of each team. Many such games do require anywhere from 5 to 10 players, which can make it a little tricky for some to play (trickier than the life of a poor Crewmate at times). However, there are often options for play online.