A curse reigns over Millers Hollow. Or… At least… Well, the residents are plagued by a recurring plague of furry vermin: werewolves. Several residents are secretly werewolves, but no one knows for sure which neighbors can be trusted and which cannot … in the Werewolves of Millers Hollow.
The Werewolves of Millers Hollow has been around for a long time now. It is based on camp (fire) games such as Mafia, where certain players have a secret role and must eliminate other players. Players try to figure out who these individuals are. Werewolves of Wakkerdam is originally a French game, but years ago 999 Games first released it in the Dutch-speaking market and the game became undeniably popular and a regular fixture at (school, sports and sailing) camps, campsites, campfires and evenings with friends and family.
The game is also hugely popular online. Players create special forums on group conversations (on WhatsApp, for example). Players also devise their own rules, roles and variations in the process. The game is often played over several days and players make connections by contacting and consulting with each other.
Meanwhile, after a short absence, the game is published again – this time by Asmodee. In Werewolves of Wakkerdam, each player is given a role, but most are innocent civilians. A few players are secretly werewolves. Each “night,” certain characters such as the wolves wake up in a set order. The werewolves choose together to kill a player, and during the day, all players must choose which villager to throw on the proverbial funeral pyre.
If all innocent villagers are killed, the wolves win, but if all wolves are voted out, the innocent civilians win. There are also other roles, giving some players additional information or actions.
The Werewolves of Millers Hollow is rightfully a classic. It is an ideal game to play with a large group. The game can pace itself based on the group making it a convivial and long game that can be played between other activities. One disadvantage of the game is that players are eliminated and thus no longer play along. Thus, with a very large group, a player may feel excluded from the group as a result. Also, it requires a game leader who cannot play along himself. But be careful if you play it on a full moon! 🐶
