Werewords (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Werewords is a deduction party game that was released in 2017 by Bézier Games. Designed by Ted Alspach, Werewords involves hidden roles, asymmetric information, and variable player powers. Players must work together to uncover the hidden magic word, but there is a twist

one player is secretly a werewolf trying to sabotage the group’s efforts.

Game Components of Werewords

Player roles: Mayor, Seer, Werewolves, Villagers, and optional roles like Minion and Masons.

Word list: Provided through a companion app for Android and iOS.

Yes, No, Maybe tokens: For the Mayor to communicate.

Correct token: For the player who correctly guesses the word.

App: Essential for generating words and managing game time.

How To Setup Werewords

To set up Werewords, players first receive their secret roles. The Mayor selects a word from the app while the other players’ eyes are closed. The Seer and Werewolves then see the word, with the Seer needing to guide the villagers without being too obvious. The game is ready to start with a setup time of about 2 minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Role Assignment: Players are assigned roles such as Villagers, Seer, Werewolves, and optional roles like Minion and Masons.

Word Guessing: Players ask the Mayor “yes” or “no” questions to guess the magic word within a 4-minute time frame.

Seer’s Role: The Seer knows the word and must guide the villagers without revealing their identity.

Werewolves’ Role: Werewolves know the word and aim to mislead the villagers.

Winning Conditions: Villagers win by guessing the word before time runs out or by identifying the Werewolf if the word is not guessed. Werewolves win by identifying the Seer if the word is guessed or by avoiding detection if the word is not guessed.

Player Experience

Werewords offers a dynamic and engaging experience, blending the thrill of word-guessing with the intrigue of social deduction. Players must ask strategic questions, observe body language, and deduce patterns to uncover the magic word or identify the Werewolf. The game encourages participation from all players, even those who are not as talkative, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players. The game’s short duration of about 10 minutes per round ensures frequent plays and keeps the excitement high.

Pros

Engaging and Social: Encourages interactive questioning and deduction.

Variety of Roles: Additional roles like Minion and Masons add complexity and replayability.

Custom Word Lists: Players can use and download custom word lists from the app.

Quick Games: Each game lasts about 10 minutes, making it perfect for multiple rounds.

Low Setup Time: Only 2 minutes to set up the game.

Cons

Word Difficulty: Some players find certain words too difficult or niche, especially for younger players or those unfamiliar with mainstream sports and pop culture.

Seer’s Challenge: The Seer’s role can be tough to execute effectively without being too obvious.

Personal Thoughts on Werewords

Werewords is ideal for groups looking for a fast-paced, interactive game that combines mental agility with social strategy. It’s perfect for families, parties, or any gathering where quick, engaging games are appreciated. The game’s ability to scale with larger groups and the variety of roles ensure that it remains fresh and exciting over multiple plays. If you enjoy word games and social deduction, Werewords is definitely worth adding to your collection.

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