Reviews
Since taking the world by storm in 2020, Among Us by developer Innersloth has become a cultural sensation. The game, which was first released in 2018, became even more popular as people strived to find social outlets while under COVID-19 quarantine. In this Among Us review, we will be taking a deep look at this deduction game mechanics, social interactions, and general attractiveness. We will also explore 10 alternatives to Among Us that provides a similar social deduction experience.
Among Us Review
In Among Us, a multiplayer social deduction game, players have one of two roles: crewmates or impostors. The game is for 4 to 10 players, with crewmates trying to complete tasks around a spaceship. In contrast, impostors try to kill them while remaining undetected. Its extremely simple premise—do your tasks or trick your fellow players—combined with its easy design has resulted in a mass following.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay is round-based and takes place in multi-room spaceships; crewmates must try to finish electrical tasks, which are usually straightforward mini-games, such as connecting wires or swiping cards. The crewmates must complete these tasks to win; if the impostors kill the necessary number of players before all tasks are done, they win.
Impostors, on the other hand, have few tasks to complete but can cause havoc aboard the ship and kill crewmates. They have the ability to use vents to travel the ship in a flash. Also, they can stir up chaos by locking doors or turning lights off. This arrangement introduces an element of pressure and uneasiness, as players will always have to evaluate who they can trust.
Social Dynamics
Among Us is more of a social game at its core. During the meetings, players chat via text or voice to express their suspicions and cast votes for who they think is the impostor. That element of the game encourages camaraderie and competition, as players need to use both trickery and negotiation to stay in the game.
It is a game that thrives when played with friends, where personal relationships heighten the feelings of betrayal and deception. The psychological game deepens when you know each other’s tendencies: accusations land harder and discussions take on a more profound dimension.
Visual and Audio Design
Among Us features a whimsical art style characterized by colorful environments and cute character designs. The simplicity of the graphics makes it easy for players to focus on gameplay rather than getting distracted by overly complex visuals. The sound design complements this with playful sound effects that add to the lighthearted atmosphere, even during tense moments.
Accessibility
One of the key factors behind Among Us’s success is its accessibility. The game is available on multiple platforms, including PC, mobile devices (iOS and Android), and consoles like Nintendo Switch. This cross-platform availability allows friends to play together regardless of their gaming setup.
Additionally, Among Us requires no special hardware or advanced gaming knowledge to get started. New players can quickly learn the rules within a few rounds, making it an ideal choice for casual gamers or those unfamiliar with video games.
Read our guide to learn how to play Among Us.
10 Alternatives to Among Us
Since Among Us became such a phenomenon, we have seen a huge surge in social deduction games. Here are some key alternatives offering comparable gameplay experiences, each with a unique spin.
1. Werewolf
Werewolf is a classic social deduction party game that can be played in small and large groups. Here, players have two roles as well: villagers or werewolves. It is the responsibility of the villagers to cooperate so that they can identify and kill the werewolves before it is too late (i.e., everybody is dead). The werewolves pick one villager to eliminate in the dead of night, and during the day, players discuss and vote about who they think the werewolf is.
Key Features:
- Different Roles: Each player has a different role with unique abilities, like the Seer who can discover a player’s identity.
- Discussion and Deception: The game is all about discussing with players persuading others while defending themselves from accusations.
- Flexibility: Werewolf is a social deduction game with a simple setup that can be played with any number of players.
It is a great game for big groups, either in-person or over video calls.
2. Mafia
Mafia is a game similar to Werewolf that sees players going head-to-head in a battle of wits. In this game, players are separated into Mafia members and townsfolk. The Mafia has to kill the townsfolk without getting caught. The game is played in rounds, with each round containing a night phase (where the Mafia chooses a target to kill unbeknownst to the other players) and a day phase (during which players debate and vote on whom they believe is a member of the Mafia).
Key Features:
- Strategic Depth: Players have to think rationally and be social to figure out who among themselves is telling a lie.
- New Roles: More roles may be added, including Doctor (able to save players) and Cop (able to gather information on others).
- Replay Value: The role choice and strategy change every game.
Mafia is perfect for groups that want an immersive social game with lots of tension and intrigue.
3. Town of Salem
The Town of Salem expands on the social deduction genre, offering dozens of roles and mechanics. Players get obscure roles, such as Townsfolk, Mafia, Serial Killers, and others. The goal depends on your role — for some, you need to collaborate to eliminate threats, and for others, to create chaos.
Key Features:
- Variety Of Roles: Players will receive an assigned role that they will play each game. There are over 30 unique roles. You must adapt your strategy based on the role!
- Day/Night Cycle: The game is structured around a day phase, during which players can discuss and vote, and a night phase, during which players can take action.
- Play Online: Up to 15 players can play online together in Town of
If you fancy deep strategies and different gameplay experiences, this game is for you.
4. Project Winter
Project Winter combines social deduction with survival mechanics. Players are stranded in a snowy wilderness and must work together to complete objectives while identifying traitors among them. The traitors aim to sabotage efforts and eliminate survivors without being caught.
Key Features:
- Survival Elements: Players must manage resources like food and warmth while completing tasks.
- Unique Setting: The harsh environment adds a layer of tension as players navigate nature’s challenges and betrayal.
- Teamwork vs. Betrayal: The need for cooperation makes it difficult to trust others, enhancing the social deduction.
Project Winter is ideal for groups looking for an immersive experience that blends strategy with survival challenges.
5. Goose Goose Duck
A more colorful and graphically enhanced spin on the social deduction genre, Goose Goose Duck reinvents typical mechanics and re-shuffles the settings from other games. Players are split into geese (crewmates) and ducks (impostors), much like Among Us. In contrast, additional roles in Goose Goose Duck make things more complicated.
Key Features:
- Diverse Roles: Aside from the geese and ducks, neutral roles introduce variation.
- Voice Chat: The game features voice chat during meetings, enabling players to communicate with one another.
- Customization Options: You can select different maps and customize the characters for diverse experiences.
If you like a little silliness and strategy, then this game is for you.
6. Secret Hitler
Based in pre-World War II Germany, Secret Hitler splits players into either Liberals or Fascists. Liberals are trying to pass policies while attempting to guess who among them is the secret Hitler before it’s too late.
Key Features:
- Historical Theme: The game’s setting adds depth to its mechanics as players navigate political intrigue.
- Secret Roles: Only a few can communicate their allegiances while everyone else needs to solve the mystery and guess their roles through discussion.
- Passing of Policies: Players pass policies while keeping hidden agendas in mind.
If you enjoy political strategy games that are heavy on deception and deduction, then Secret Hitler is for you.
7. Codenames
Codenames is not technically a social deduction game like Among Us, but it requires teamwork and deduction, as players attempt to guess words based on one-word hints given by their teammates. In this game, players compete against one another to reveal their agents while avoiding those of the enemy team.
Key Features:
- Cooperative Gameplay: Players engage in teams which encourages collaborative play.
- Word Association Mechanics: You have to get the clues right and avoid any misinterpretation.
This is one of the best word games, ideal for groups that want to enjoy communication games without a head-on collision.
8. The Resistance
The Resistance pits two factions against each other—Resistance members attempting to complete missions while spies aim to sabotage them. Players must engage in discussions about trustworthiness as they decide who will participate in missions.
Key Features:
- Mission-Based Structure: Each round involves selecting teams for missions which adds layers of strategy.
- Bluffing Mechanics: Players must bluff about their loyalties while trying to deduce others’ intentions.
The Resistance is ideal for those who enjoy high-stakes social interactions filled with deception and teamwork.
9. Unfortunate Spacemen
Unfortunate Spacemen is a classic game of social deduction with a sci-fi horror setting. In the game, players assume the roles of spacemen who collaboratively accomplish tasks while one or more imposters seek to destroy the plans from the inside.
Key Features:
- Unique Sci-Fi Setting: The atmosphere of the game makes everything more
- Different Types of Objectives: There is a wide variety of objectives, which keeps gameplay fresh across sessions.
This game appeals to those who appreciate Sci-Fi themes as well as social deduction mechanics, but want something other than the usual gameplay of this genre.
10. Barotrauma
Barotrauma is an underwater sci-fi game where players are in charge of a group operating a submarine traveling through waters filled with deadly aliens. Certain players take on secret roles as traitors trying to undermine the missions. In contrast, others try to keep the submarine running.
Key Features:
- Cooperative gameplay: Players need to coordinate and manage resources as well as react to crises.
- Dynamic Environment: An underwater atmosphere will introduce unique complications far beyond who is attacking who; people will have to think strategically.
Barotrauma is for groups with an interest in co-op horror and mystery gameplay.
Among Us Review: Takeaways
Since its launch, Among Us has charmed millions with its relatively simplistic social deduction game design, free-to-play features, and creative play sessions among friends. It grew in popularity at a time when people were looking for connection, which is likely why it became not just a game but a tool for socialization through difficult times.
Despite criticisms about technical hiccups and toxicity among the players, its magic is how it draws people together with giggles, lies, and strategy. So, if you’re looking for alternatives that have similar themes surrounding deduction and social interaction to some extent, Mafia, Werewolf, Town of Salem, Secret Hitler, and Spyfall are all excellent alternatives to look into!
In a world where gaming keeps evolving through different movements, games like Among Us are a testament to play connecting people across screens and to one another through moments of triumph, dread, excitement, and fear.
If you want to experience real horror, check these scary games. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
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