Secret Hilter

The name of the game probably made you cringe. It would be hard to ignore the urge if I’m honest. Hilter should make you cringe given that he is at the top of the douchiest people list. But this game isn’t about Hilter and his exploits. In this game, Hitler is just a name and can be exchanged without changing the gameplay. 

Fascists have the upper hand in the game. They know their allies and their foes at the table. Liberals have to use each turn to figure out who can be trusted and who needs to be thwarted. Strategy and sleuthing are paramount in this game. The more people you have around the table, the more interesting the game you’re going to have.

As the game goes on, more components can be unlocked. Fascist policies open up doors for the president and chancellor regardless of party affiliation. These added powers can hinder and help your game. There is nothing worse than being poised to get Hilter elected only to have your crucial ally shot. Just like Pringles, you can’t have just one game of Secret Hilter. Everyone will be asking for the game to be reset after your first game comes to an end.

Your designated rule guy won’t be pouring over pages and pages of rules. Fifteen minutes and you’ll be off. Similarly, the setup for gameplay won’t push anyone’s patience with one minor exception. The policy cards are made from chipboard rather than the standard laminated card stock. Oh, the horror of well-made pieces! It’s a small point, but the thickness of the cards make it impossible for proper shuffling. The identity card envelopes are also cumbersome to shuffle for dealing.

The recommended age on the game is 13 or older. I’d say it really depends on the child in question. By child, I really mean person. There are adults I know who don’t like strategy gameplay, but I could easily find young teens ready and willing to play. So, choose wisely.

Overall, the game is light on setup and downsides. This is especially true if you have a group of friends with an irreverent sense of humor but little interest in games like Cards Against Humanity. If you’re still not sure about investing in the game, but have some time on your hands and a printer, you have options. The game can be downloaded from secrethitler.com. That nugget of information makes packing for our next family vacation a breeze.