If you love quick, intense party games where bluffing and deduction take centre stage, One Night Ultimate Werewolf is an absolute must-try. Unlike traditional Werewolf games that stretch over multiple rounds, this version condenses the experience into a single night, making it fast, chaotic, and endlessly replayable. It’s a game that thrives on paranoia, accusations, and last-minute revelations—perfect for a lively group of friends.
Key Information at a Glance
- Publisher: Bézier Games
- Game Designer: Ted Alspach and Akihisa Okui
- Players: 3–10
- Playtime: 10 minutes per game
- Genre: Social deduction, party game
- Mechanics: Bluffing, hidden roles, discussion-based decision making,
How to Play One Night Ultimate Werewolf
The rules are simple enough for newcomers to pick up quickly, but the game’s depth comes from how players interact with one another.
1. Setup
Each player gets a face-down role card, which can be anything from a Werewolf to a Villager, Seer, Robber, or another unique role with special abilities. There are always three extra role cards in the centre, adding a layer of uncertainty.
2. The Night Phase
Players close their eyes while an app (or a designated moderator) announces which roles get to wake up and perform actions. The Werewolves identify each other, the Seer peeks at a role, the Robber swaps cards, and so on. Once every role has had a chance to act, everyone opens their eyes.
3. The Discussion Phase
This is where the chaos begins. Players now have just a few minutes to discuss what happened, make accusations, and attempt to deduce who the Werewolves are. Of course, Werewolves (and certain other roles) will be lying through their teeth.
4. Voting and Resolution
After the discussion, everyone simultaneously votes to “eliminate” one player. If at least one Werewolf gets caught, the Villagers win. If no Werewolves are voted out, the Werewolves claim victory.
Components: Simple Yet Effective
One Night Ultimate Werewolf’s physical components are minimal but effective:
- Role Cards: High-quality, easy-to-read artwork that makes role identification straightforward.
- Tokens: Used for tracking certain roles.
- Companion App: Helps run the night phase, making gameplay smoother and eliminating the need for a moderator.
Playing with Different Group Sizes
This game scales surprisingly well depending on your group size.
- 3-4 Players: The deduction element is weaker with so few people, but it still works well as a light, quick game.
- 5-7 Players: This is the sweet spot—enough variety in roles to keep things interesting, but not so many players that the discussion becomes overwhelming.
- 8-10 Players: Absolute madness. Expect big arguments, clever bluffs, and last-minute voting swings.
Expansions and Variants
If you want to mix things up, Bézier Games has released several expansions:
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak – Adds new roles like the Alpha Wolf and Sentinel.
- One Night Ultimate Vampire – Introduces a vampire-themed twist.
- One Night Ultimate Alien – Adds unpredictability with alien-themed mechanics.
All expansions can be mixed and matched, giving you an endless number of role combinations.
Final Thoughts
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is an absolute riot. It’s quick, social, and filled with memorable moments—whether it’s an outrageous lie, a clutch last-second vote, or the realisation that you’ve been fooled all along. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just looking for a fun party game, this one is well worth your time.