Secrets (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Secrets is a board game released in 2017 by Repos Production. It is a party game that involves bluffing, deduction, and strategy. The game is set in the world of spies and secret agents, where players take on different roles and try to figure out who is on their team and who is working against them.

Game Components of Secrets

Character cards: 29 cards, including Double Agents, Politicians, Psychiatrists, Detectives, Journalists, Scientists, Diplomats, and Assassins.

Bullet cards: 4 cards valued at 0, –1, –2, and –3.

Identity tokens: 10 tokens (4 CIA, 4 KGB, 2 Hippies) and 1 UN token.

Help tokens: 2 tokens.

Reference cards: 4 cards.

Help sheet: 1 sheet to track revealed characters.

How To Setup Secrets

To set up Secrets, each player secretly looks at their own Identity token and the Identity token of the player on their right. For 7 or 8 players, the center Identity token is revealed to all players before being flipped back facedown. Players cannot look at any Identity tokens again unless a card effect allows it.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Secret Identity: Players have hidden affiliations (CIA, KGB, or Hippies).

Card Drawing: Players draw Character cards and choose one for “The Offer.”

Character Effects: Each Character card has an immediate effect and a value.

Bullet Cards: Players can receive Bullet cards that affect their final score.

Game Objective

Team Victory: The CIA or KGB team with the highest total score wins.

Hippie Victory: If a single Hippie has the lowest individual score, they win alone.

Tiebreaker: In case of a tie, everybody loses.

Player Experience

Secrets is a game that thrives on social deduction and strategic bluffing. Players must navigate the complexities of their secret identities while trying to deduce the affiliations of their opponents. The game is filled with unexpected twists, thanks to the various Character card effects and the covert nature of the Bullet cards.

Pros

Engaging Social Interaction: Encourages players to bluff, negotiate, and deduce.

High Replayability: Different Character card combinations and Bullet card effects ensure unique games.

Thematic Art and Components: The game’s artwork and heavy plastic role chips add to the immersive experience.

Cons

Complexity: The game’s rules and card effects can be confusing for new players.

Luck Factor: The draw of Character and Bullet cards can significantly impact the outcome.

Limited Player Synergy: Some players might feel isolated if they do not receive impactful cards.

Personal Thoughts on Secrets

Secrets is ideal for players who enjoy social deduction games and are comfortable with a degree of complexity. It is particularly suited for groups of 4 to 8 players, making it a great addition to game nights with larger groups. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking straightforward, rules-light games or those who prefer games with less luck involved. For fans of spy-themed games and strategic social interaction, Secrets offers a unique and engaging experience.

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