Red Scare (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Red Scare is a board game designed by Ian O’Toole and published by Pandasaurus Games in in 2017. It is a deduction and negotiation game set in the 1950s during the height of the Cold War. Players take on the roles of FBI agents trying to uncover and eliminate Soviet spies within their ranks.

Game Components of Red Scare

Game board

Player cards

Evidence cards

Spy cards

Double agent cards

Tokens

How To Setup Red Scare

Place the game board in the center of the play area.

Shuffle the player cards and deal them to each player.

Shuffle the evidence cards and place them face down on the board.

Shuffle the spy, double agent, and other special cards and create a deck.

Place the tokens within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Red Scare, players work together in teams to try and identify and eliminate Soviet spies. Each player has a different role with unique abilities that can help the team. Players must use deduction and negotiation skills to figure out who is working for the other side. The game objective is for the FBI agents to eliminate all the Soviet spies before they can sabotage the mission.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging deduction and negotiation mechanics

Team-based gameplay encourages cooperation and strategic thinking

Variable player powers add depth to the gameplay

Quick playtime makes it easy to fit into a game night

Cons:

Some players may find the deduction aspect challenging

Negotiation can lead to tense moments among players

Limited player count may not accommodate larger gaming groups

Personal Thoughts on Red Scare

As a fan of deduction and negotiation games, I found Red Scare to be an enjoyable and immersive experience. The build quality of the components is top-notch, and the artwork is well-done, capturing the Cold War theme effectively. The game falls in a niche category, making it a unique addition to any board game collection. The pricing is reasonable for the quality and replay value it offers. Both new and used copies are available online, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

For those who enjoy games that require strategic thinking and teamwork, Red Scare is definitely worth your time. It is best suited for players who enjoy deduction games like Codenames or The Resistance. However, if negotiation games are not your cup of tea, you may want to skip this one. Overall, Red Scare is a well-designed game that offers a challenging and engaging experience for players looking for something different in their board game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.