How many players do you need?

At least 3. Single-device mode supports up to 10 players, and a friends' room up to 15.

Can I play without an internet connection?

The single-device mode works without a connection once you have started.

Will I know if I am the wolf?

No. Realizing as you talk that "maybe I am the only one who is a little different" is what makes this game fun. Only the Blank knows, because they have no word.

Asobi Lounge / Games / Word Wolf

Word Wolf rules and how to play: topics and tips to win

Everyone is given one of two words that are similar but slightly different, and you talk to find the "wolf" who holds the minority word. You are not told whether you are the wolf, so you also work out your own side as you talk. There is a mode where you pass one device around and an online mode where everyone uses their own device, so you can play in person or remotely. The words are in Japanese.

Players: 3–15 players (3–10 in single-device mode)
Price: free
Runs in the browser (no install)

Play now

The game screen is in Japanese.

You need to sign in with a Google account to play, including the single-device mode. To invite a friend, they also need to create an account and register as your friend.

Word Wolf modes

Play on One Device (端末1台でプレイ): pass a phone or tablet around in turn (once started, it works without a connection)
Play with Friends (フレンドと遊ぶ): create a room, gather by ID or invite, and play on your own devices (talk over a voice call app or in person)

Basic rules of Word Wolf

Everyone is dealt a "word". Only one or two players hold a word slightly different from the others (the wolves). Nobody is told whether they are in the majority or the minority.
Talk about the topic without saying your word outright. The wolves guess the majority word and play along to blend in.
When the discussion time ends (choose 1–5 minutes; you can also extend it by 1 minute partway), everyone votes to pick the one player they think is the wolf.
If you pick the wolf, the citizens win. However, when the Comeback (逆転) rule is on, a wolf who was picked can still win for the wolf side by guessing the majority word.
If the vote is tied, everyone votes once more, choosing only among the tied players. If that still does not decide it, the wolf side wins.
In the settings you can add a Blank (白): a player who gets no word, knows it, and plays along on the wolf side.

How to play on Asobi Lounge

In single-device mode, hand over the device at the name screen and flip a card to check your word. Voting is also done one person at a time, out of sight of the others.
To play with friends, create a room and send the ID or an invite (to invite a friend, they also need to create an account and register as your friend).
Talk over a voice call app or in person (this game has no text chat). If you run out of things to say, you can use the questions shown on screen (such as "Do you like it or not?").

Topics and settings

There are 153 word pairs in 10 genres: food and drink, animals, vehicles, sports, places, entertainment and hobbies, jobs, things and everyday items, situations, and seasons and events (for example, coffee and tea, or ramen and udon). You can let the genre be chosen for you, or decide the two words yourselves.

You can choose one or two wolves. The more wolves and Blanks in total, the more players you need (for example, at least 7 players for two wolves and a Blank).

Scoring

Citizens on the winning side get 1 point, wolves and Blanks on the winning side get 2 points, and a player who guesses the word for a comeback gets 1 more point. Points add up across rounds, so after a few games in a row you can see who talked the best game.

Tips

As a citizen, start with abstract features, because very specific hints let the wolf guess your word.
As the wolf, listen for what the others' comments have in common, and adjust how you talk about your word to match.
If you think you might be in the minority, avoid firm statements at first, and listen to the others before going along with them.
The suspicious player is the one whose comments are slightly out of step with everyone else's.

Frequently asked questions

How many players do you need?: At least 3. Single-device mode supports up to 10 players, and a friends' room up to 15.
Can I play without an internet connection?: The single-device mode works without a connection once you have started.
Will I know if I am the wolf?: No. Realizing as you talk that "maybe I am the only one who is a little different" is what makes this game fun. Only the Blank knows, because they have no word.
Is Word Wolf free to play?: Yes, it costs nothing. You need to sign in with a Google account to play, including the single-device mode. To invite a friend, they also need to create an account and register as your friend.