Secret Hitler is a board game designed by Mike Boxleiter, Tommy Maranges, and Max Temkin, targeted at adults and older teenagers for its sensitive historical context. The game sets players in pre-World War II Germany, dividing them into Liberals and Fascists, with one player secretly taking on the role of Hitler. The objective varies: Fascists aim to enact policies or elect Hitler as Chancellor, while Liberals strive to pass their own policies or assassinate Hitler. This game, requiring 5-10 players, stands out in the social deduction genre by combining historical themes with engaging gameplay, fostering education, strategy, and social interaction.
For this game, I argue that Secret Hitler distinguishes itself by merging historical context with gameplay, unlike other social deduction games like Werewolf or Among Us that use fictional settings. This real-world context blends education, strategy, and social interaction. Moreover, this historical immersion, combined with the game’s mechanics, allows players to experience the tension and uncertainty of political maneuvering, making each game session a unique narrative journey. However, the game’s dependence on historical knowledge may limit its accessibility and provoke nuanced feelings in some players, resulting in diverse experiences.
During my gameplay with friends in a dark-lit condo, Secret Hitler not only entertained us with this immersive atmosphere but also educated us on the historical conditions that enabled the rise of Nazism. The game’s mechanics of secret roles and objectives reflect the covert operations and propaganda used by the Nazis to gain power. The requirement for Liberals to identify and eliminate Hitler before it is too late parallels the missed opportunities to prevent the Nazi party’s ascent. This competitive mechanic underscores the importance of vigilance and action in the face of rising authoritarianism. This experience also highlighted how fear and manipulation can disrupt democratic processes.
According to my personal game experience, playing as a Liberal, there was a moment when the Fascists were close to winning that I felt truly desperate. The game’s dynamics, stemming from its competition and role-playing mechanics, highlight how easily trust can be eroded and suspicion can undermine democratic processes. The tension and paranoia we experienced while trying to deduce each other’s roles and intentions taught us a poignant lesson on how fear and manipulation can be wielded as powerful political tools.
Nevertheless, the game’s historical basis also posed challenges. A friend of mine with limited knowledge of the era felt at a disadvantage, while another, more familiar with Nazi history (she is a film scholar who often encounters documentaries and films from the Nazi period archiving), felt uncomfortable (she said “inhumane and cruel”) playing as Hitler. This points to the game’s potential to trivialize sensitive historical periods if not approached with caution. Like The Resistance, Secret Hitler’s enjoyment heavily depends on the group dynamics and players’ engagement in the game’s deceitful nature—depending on whether the player is willing to engage in deceit and manipulation, which poses an ethical problem for some players.
In conclusion, Secret Hitler excels in the social deduction genre by integrating history with gameplay, offering both strategic depth and an educational experience. Despite challenges in accessibility and the potential for discomfort due to its historical content, the game’s unique approach to blending history with strategy and social interaction makes it a compelling choice for players interested in a game that is both fun and insightful. Through the MDA framework, Secret Hitler’s design—secret identities and voting—creates a dynamic environment of suspicion and alliance, leading to an engaging experience filled with the fun of narrative, fellowship, and fantasy. To improve the game, introducing alternative settings could make it more inclusive without diluting its thematic depth.
