Inspired by the party games Werewolf and Mafia, Town of Salem is a game of murder, mystery and deception.
Players take on various roles in a 7-15 player game, such as members of the Town, Mafia, Serial Killers, Arsonists, and Neutrals. The objective is for the Town to identify and eliminate the evil roles before they are killed off.
The game divides into two main phases. During the night phase, players with special abilities (e.g., Serial Killers, Doctors, Sheriffs) use their roles to gather information or take actions against others. This phase is where deception and strategy come into play, as players try to conceal their true identities and motives. The day phase allows the Town to discuss and deliberate on who they suspect of being an evil role. Players make accusations, defend themselves, and eventually vote on who to put on trial. If the majority votes "guilty," the accused is executed.
The game features 33 unique roles, ensuring a different experience with each game. Roles have different abilities, alignments, and win conditions, which creates a rich and dynamic gameplay loop. Players must constantly adapt their strategies and claims based on the roles present. The game offers several game modes, including Classic, Ranked Practice, Town Traitor, and All Any, each with its own role list and level of randomness. This variety helps maintain the game's replayability and strategic depth.
The core of the gameplay lies in the ability to bluff, deceive, and outmaneuver other players. Players must carefully balance revealing information, making convincing claims, and building trust to achieve their goals, whether they are part of the Town or the evil factions. The game's success hinges on players' ability to read social cues, scrutinize wills and claims, and engage in dynamic discussions to uncover the truth. This social deduction aspect is what many players find most engaging and challenging.
Each game plays out like a unique story, with unexpected twists, betrayals, and triumphant moments. The unpredictable nature and the opportunity for creative gameplay strategies ensure that no two games are exactly alike, further contributing to the game's replayability and the sense of excitement and tension that players experience.