Spyfall 2 Full Review: The Definitive 12-Player Hidden Identity Party Game

You're sure to laugh out loud in no time! We'll give you a thorough explanation of the hidden identity game "Spyfall 2," which can be enjoyed by up to 12 people, from its appeal to things to be careful about, based on the opinions of actual players.

Game Basics

Spyfall 2 is a hidden identity game where you uncover "citizens who know the location" and "spies who don't know anything" by simply asking and answering questions.

• Players: 3-12 (optimal 6-8)
• Play time: Approximately 15 minutes
• Ages: 10 and up (publisher recommended age: 13 and up)
• Weight: 1.2 (lightweight party)
• Designer: Alexandr Ushan
• Publisher: Hobby World, Cryptozoic Entertainment, and others

As a sequel to the original Spyfall, the location deck has been expanded to 20 sets of 12 cards and the maximum number of players has been increased to 12.

The game's core mechanics are surprisingly simple: each round involves distributing a location deck (10 Citizens + 1-2 Spies) and then an eight-minute Q&A session, during which the questioner chooses an answerer and passes.

The match can be decided in three ways :

1. Time's up
2. unanimous accusation
3. Spy Location Guess

The appeal of Spyfall 2: The thrill of improved identity concealment

Spyfall 2 is a legitimate evolution that combines ease of play with deep strategic depth.

1 minute explanation, 15 minutes to complete - incredibly easy

Spyfall 2's greatest appeal is that the rules are easy to learn, the game is very sociable, and it's fun. The game is easy to teach, fast to play, and highly social, making it a highly enjoyable group event. Its time-based play makes it an ideal party game, making it a great fit for busy modern lives.

Double the tension with the two-spy system

With seven or more players, two spies are hiding, making deduction and bluffing even more intense. With two spies, the difficulty of deduction for the non-spies increases, creating even more suspicion than before. If the spies don't know each other, it can lead to amusing situations where one spy uses the other spy's answer as a valid clue, resulting in a wrong guess.

Role-playing elements create hilarious scenes

Each location card lists a role, so if a player is playing the role of a veterinarian at a zoo location and is asked why they're there, they should respond with something related to being a zoo veterinarian. This allows for some hilarious roleplaying.

An exquisite balance that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people

Players of all ages and experience levels praised the game and gave it high marks. Even beginners can get the hang of it after just one play , making it easy for beginners to get involved.

Concerns and solutions

We'll show you Spyfall 2 weaknesses and effective solutions.

How to address the lack of player aids

The most common issue is the lack of a player aid included. Spyfall 2 has no player aids other than the rulebook spreads.

Solution: A homemade reference sheet that my daughter writes down the Spyfall locations on multiple pieces of paper and gives out to each player to keep nearby while playing works well, as does the alternative of handing out a spread of all the locations to a player when asked.

Managing large group discussions

When there are a large number of people, discussions tend to get confused and the game tends to go on for a long time. Particular care is needed when playing with 12 people.

Solution: For 9 or more players, there is a suggestion that even with 12 players, the cards could actually be split into two completely separate 6-player games. It is also important to keep a tight timer and clearly demarcate discussion times.

Improved visibility of card art

Some people say that the card art is quite unique and somewhat difficult to read.

Strategy: It is recommended that everyone review the characteristics of each location before playing, and that all players review the center spread of the rulebook to identify all possible locations before the game begins.

Recommended for these people and occasions

Here are some situations where Spyfall 2 really shines:

Party game beginners to families

The publisher recommends an age of 13+, but some families have enjoyed the game with children ages 8+. Generally, ages 11+ are recommended. The kids had a blast. They were loud, they accused other players on the spot without any valid evidence, and they were laughing most of the time.

Family gathering and ice-breaking scenes

For the holidays or family gatherings, we recommend purchasing Spyfall and/or Spyfall 2 for your family. They're the perfect party game for a quick and fun icebreaker.

A gathering of experienced gamers

Gamer Geeks had a great time too. It's a creative game with a simple ruleset and deep gameplay. Even non-gamers can play this game just as well as veterans like me.

Expected effects

• Improve communication skills: Develop active listening and communication, logical and critical decision-making skills
• Unleash your creativity: Imagination, bluffing and misdirection allow for expressive play.
• Teamwork building: Promotes cooperation, teamwork, and self-confidence

Overall Review: While maintaining the appeal of Spyfall, this game is a legitimate evolution that increases replayability by expanding the number of players and allowing two spies. It's an excellent party game that's easy to recommend to a wide range of people if you create your own location list and timer. It offers deep strategy and laughs in a short 15-minute game, making it a hidden gem in the modern board game scene.

Link to the official rulebook

Check the product on the online store page

Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.

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Reference source/quote source

1. Review: Spyfall 2 - Geeks Under Grace
2. Spyfall & Spyfall 2 Party Game Review - The Board Game Family
3. Spyfall and Spyfall 2 Game Review - Father Geek
4. Spyfall 2 review - Tabletop Gaming
5. Board Game Geek User Comments Aggregate Data