Our family has always loved playing games. Early last year we picked up a new one that has become a definite Family Standard Time favorite.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf by Bézier Games is a fast-paced game. It doesn’t take a large time or space commitment to play. A single game play lasts only about 10 minutes or less. One Night Ultimate Werewolf is for 3-10 players, so it’s especially a plus for larger families. The ideal age is probably 8+, as there is some secrecy and light fibbing that may be “required” to try to win, but our little one enjoys playing on a team every once in a while and it can be quite comical watching her try to keep a secret.
Game Setup
There are 12 unique roles in the game: Werewolf, Villager, Troublemaker, Insomniac, Hunter, Minion, Mason, Seer, Robber, Drunk, Doppelgänger, and Tanner. Each role has special abilities that can be used during the game to try to determine other players’ roles. Before each game begins, you’ll select which roles the group wants to play with. There should always be at least one Werewolf. You’ll always select 3 more role cards than the number of players. Once the roles and their respective cards are selected, the cards are placed face down. Next, each player selects a card. Then, each player looks at their card without showing anyone else to learn what their role is that game. The three remaining unpicked cards are placed face down in a row in the center of the playing surface.
Game Play
To begin the game, all of the players close their eyes. Our favorite way to play, so that no one has to sit out as the Announcer, is to use the free smartphone app. The One Night Ultimate Werewolf app plays the role of the Announcer to walk players through the game. There is a set order in which each role “wakes up” each night to perform a task based on their special ability. The app makes it easy if you forget what your ability is because it narrates exactly what that role must do.
Object of the Game
The object of the game is to figure out which player or players is a Werewolf by asking questions about what a particular player may have done that night or what they know. If you’re a Werewolf, you might try to convince other players that someone else is a Werewolf in order to win. After a set discussion time period, everyone votes on who is a Werewolf. If at least one Werewolf is discovered, all of the non-Werewolves win!
So not only is this game a really quick and fun play, it has a ton of replayability because you can select different roles to play in the game and your role can change every time. It’s also really fun because how you play the game can evolve each time you play. Our recommendation is to pick roles and stick to playing with those for a bit to help learn their roles well and not over-complicate the game for any younger players. The Troublemaker, Seer, and Robber are our favorite non-Werewolf roles to play with.
There are additional games that can add roles to One Night Ultimate Werewolf, as well. You can find One Night Ultimate Werewolf either here direct from the manufacturer or here at Amazon.com, including other game editions.
We hope that your family enjoys this game as much as we do! Ahh-wooooo!
