BoardGame Verdict
87

Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game where players are divided into good (townsfolk) and evil (demon/minions) teams. The townsfolk must deduce the hidden identity of the demon through logic, bluffing, and unique player abilities, while the evil team sows confusion. A key twist is that dead players remain engaged in the game, preventing early elimination and fostering continuous intense social interaction and storytelling.

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87

The Verdict

based on 44 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Dead players remain actively engaged in the game, participating in discussions and receiving a final 'ghost vote', mitigating player elimination frustration.
The Storyteller role is dynamic and engaging, acting as a game master who balances gameplay, manages abilities, and adds narrative depth.
Offers exceptional replayability through numerous unique characters, multiple included editions, and the ability to create custom scripts.
Provides a rich and strategic social deduction experience where every player receives a unique ability, avoiding 'boring' roles.
Fosters intense social interaction with open communication and private conversations, encouraging bluffing, deduction, and dramatic accusations.
The game has a premium price point, which can be a significant investment compared to other social deduction games.
It requires a dedicated Storyteller who cannot simultaneously play as a participant, and the role has a steep learning curve, especially with advanced rules.
While scalable, the game has an optimal player count (typically 8-13), and very large groups can lead to extended playtime and increased complexity for the Storyteller and new players.
100
Wargamer, Mollie RussellArticle

“It's the definitive social deduction game, and for me personally, it might just be the best board game of all time.”

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100
SideGame LLC, Mackenzie FranklinVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically rates Blood on the Clocktower a perfect 10 out of 10, declaring it their favorite game and a strong contender for their 2022 game of the year, highly praising its balanced and interesting experience, particularly the poison and drunk mechanisms and the customizable script system.

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100
Meeple Mountain, Mark IradianArticle

“The sweet spot is between 7-12 players. When I say sweet spot, I mean this is one of the best social deduction games I have ever played. Scratch that, this is my favorite social deduction game.”

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98
Bangers Project, Bangers ProjectVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises "Blood on the Clocktower" as one of the best games they've ever played, highlighting its dramatic success in refining the core Werewolf concept through unique roles and engaging gameplay, though it requires a dedicated group and thrives with 10-15 players.

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98
Board Game Empire, Board Game EmpireVideo

The reviewer hails "Blood on the Clocktower" as one of the best games they've ever played, calling it a dramatic success in refining the core concept of Werewolf into a deeply strategic and engaging social deduction puzzle, though it requires a dedicated group willing to delve into its depth.

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95
Player EliminationArticle

“When everything’s going right and it feels as it should, it seems as though I’m participating in something larger than myself. This is when I fall into a state of intoxicating coherence and everything clicks in unison.”

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95
Board Game Critique, Josh HumphrissVideo

The reviewer considers Blood on the Clocktower to be a superbly designed and highly replayable social deduction game, offering unique and engaging experiences that leave players thinking about their games long after they're over.

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95
Bumbling Through Dungeons, Josh HumphrissArticle

“Bumbling Through Dungeons considers Blood on the Clocktower to be a superbly designed social deduction game and the best the reviewer has ever played, highlighting its unique and consistently fun experiences. The reviewer highly recommends it for groups that have the player count and time commitment.”

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95
Space-Biff!, Dan ThurotArticle

“Blood on the Clocktower is special. That’s always been apparent. Steven Medway not only succeeded in making a better social deduction game, he set a benchmark that might not be surpassed anytime soon.”

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95
Shut Up & Sit Down, QuinnsVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Blood on the Clocktower as a brilliantly complex social deduction game that masterfully creates paranoia and emergent narratives, ultimately leading to a surprisingly positive social experience. They highlight the game's unique role of the storyteller as one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby in years.

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90
Board Game Rundown, Board Game RundownVideo

The reviewer highly praises "Blood on the Clocktower" as an exceptional social deduction game, highlighting its intricate design where every player has a unique ability, the engaging role of the Storyteller, and the constant player involvement, even for eliminated players.

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