Secret Moon (2014) Board Game

Secret Moon is a deduction and party game designed by Seiji Kanai and published by Arclight Games in in 2014. The game is designed for 5-8 players and has a runtime of about 10 minutes. Players take on hidden roles and work in teams to achieve their objectives while trying to figure out who is on their side and who is not.

Game Components of Secret Moon

Character cards (including the Princess, Wanderer, Priestess, Minister, and four Guards)

Player order cards (which also serve as reference cards)

Markers for tracking who has seen which card and faction confirmations

How To Setup Secret Moon

To set up Secret Moon, all character cards are shuffled and distributed, with some placed face-down at the center of the table as non-player characters, regardless of the player count. For games with fewer than the full 8 players, the Priestess and one Guard are randomly removed from the game during setup. Each player is assigned a character card at the start, and player order cards are shuffled and dealt out for each of the three rounds.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Random Player Order: Player order cards are shuffled and dealt each round, determining the action order.

Single Action Per Round: Each player can perform only one action per round.

No Open Communication: Players are not allowed to discuss or openly share information, encouraging lying and misdirection.

Actions:
– Accuse another player to reveal their character.
– Capture a revealed character.
– Protect another player from attacks for the rest of the round (not allowed in the third round).
– Sacrifice yourself to prevent one player from taking an action.

Winning Conditions:
– The Princess faction wins by capturing the Minister or by lasting until the end of the game.
– The Minister faction wins by capturing the Princess or by revealing the character cards of both the Princess and the Wanderer.

Player Experience

Playing Secret Moon can be overwhelming at first due to the variety of actions and the strategic depth despite its small size. Each action is precious, and players must think carefully about how to make every action count. The game is short, lasting only three rounds, but it requires thoughtful decision-making, making it more akin to a medium-weight strategy game.

Pros

Compact and short gameplay.

Rich in strategy despite its small size.

Suitable for shy players as it does not require open communication.

Good filler game for seasoned gamers.

Cons

Can be overwhelming for new players due to multiple actions and rules.

Requires careful teaching to fully enjoy.

Markers for tracking can be tedious.

Personal Thoughts on Secret Moon

Secret Moon is designed for players who enjoy strategic, yet quiet and introspective gameplay. It is particularly suited for shy players or introverts who prefer not to engage in open discussions during the game. While it may take some time to learn and appreciate, it offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy compact, strategy-rich games. It is an excellent choice as a filler game for seasoned gamers looking for something that packs a lot of depth into a small package.

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