Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

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Screenwise Verdict

The Resistance: Avalon is one of those rare games that creates genuine water-cooler moments—the kind where you're still arguing about who betrayed whom three days later. It's not for everyone: if your kid melts down when accused of cheating at Monopoly, this will be a disaster. But for families with teens who can handle social conflict as sport, it's phenomenal.

The game teaches real skills: building arguments, reading microexpressions, managing information asymmetry. Your kid will get better at debate, negotiation, and spotting when someone's full of it. The 30-minute runtime is perfect—long enough for tension to build, short enough that you can immediately play again and try a different strategy.

The 13+ rating nails it. Younger kids lack both the strategic chops and the emotional regulation to enjoy this. But for teens and adults? It's a modern classic that's earned its 7.5 BGG rating across 36,000 reviews. Just make sure everyone at the table knows what they're signing up for: a game where lying is not just allowed but required.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13 and up due to the strategic complexity and social intensity. This isn't about mature content—it's about having the cognitive ability to track information, construct arguments, and handle the emotional weight of deceiving (or being deceived by) friends. Teens and adults will get the most out of it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

A social deduction game built on bluffing, deception, and hidden identities. The Arthurian theme keeps things fantasy-based rather than dark, but the core mechanic is lying to your friends' faces. This creates genuine social tension and can lead to hurt feelings if players take accusations personally. That said, it's all in service of strategic gameplay rather than meanness, and the 30-minute runtime prevents grudges from festering too long. The game rewards persuasion and reading people over pure deception, which keeps it from feeling toxic. Not exactly 'wholesome' in the traditional sense, but the good vs. evil framing and collaborative elements for each team balance the betrayal mechanics.

Imaginative

78

The hidden role system with asymmetric information creates fascinating emergent storytelling. Merlin knowing the evil players but having to communicate in riddles is genuinely clever design. Players construct narratives to defend themselves, build theories about others, and engage in creative deception. The Arthurian theming adds just enough flavor without being heavy-handed. However, it's ultimately a social deduction game with limited mechanical variety—once you know the system, the creativity comes from player interaction rather than the game itself introducing new elements. Still, the psychological gameplay and need to read people and craft convincing arguments exercises creative thinking in a unique way.

Safe

88

Extremely safe from a content perspective—it's cards with fantasy character names and minimal artwork. No gambling mechanics, no mature themes beyond 'there are traitors among us.' The real safety consideration is social dynamics: this is a game where you actively deceive friends and accuse them of lying. For the right group, this is thrilling. For sensitive players or those who struggle with social conflict, it can feel genuinely uncomfortable. The BGG reviews note that quieter players get overshadowed by louder ones, which can create an uneven experience. But these are features of social deduction games generally, not specific flaws. The game itself has no predatory elements, no privacy concerns, and the 13+ rating is appropriate for the strategic complexity and social intensity rather than content warnings.

Enriching

81

This is a masterclass in reading people, logical deduction, persuasive communication, and strategic thinking. Players learn to construct arguments, evaluate evidence, spot inconsistencies in stories, and manage information asymmetry. The game teaches that the same facts can be interpreted multiple ways depending on perspective. It also builds social skills around handling conflict, reading body language, and maintaining composure under pressure. The team-based structure means even 'evil' players are collaborating with teammates. At 1.74 complexity, it's accessible enough for teens while offering genuine strategic depth. The 36K ratings and 7.5/10 on BGG indicate strong staying power. Not educationally enriching in a traditional sense, but the critical thinking and social intelligence skills are real.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches persuasive communication, logical deduction, and reading people under pressure—skills that transfer to real life
Fast 30-minute rounds mean you can play multiple games and refine your strategy (or redemption arc after a brutal loss)
The Merlin mechanic is brilliantly designed: knowing everything but having to speak in riddles creates genuine tension
Works with large groups (5-10 players) when most games cap at 4-6, making it perfect for parties or family gatherings
High replayability—the same group will have completely different dynamics each game as trust shifts and meta-strategies evolve

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What to Watch For

This game lives or dies by your group—quiet or conflict-averse players will have a miserable time getting talked over by aggressive debaters
Some kids (and adults) take accusations of lying personally, even in a game context; know your audience
Requires exactly 5-10 players to work, so it's not a grab-and-go option for small families
The 13+ rating is real—younger kids won't have the strategic thinking or social awareness to play effectively

Conversation Starters

"How did you decide who to trust? What clues were you looking for in how people talked or acted?"
"When you were on the evil team, what was it like trying to blend in? Did you feel guilty lying, or was it just part of the game?"
"Did anyone's strategy surprise you? Who was the best at convincing others they were telling the truth?"
"If you were Merlin, how would you drop hints without making it obvious? What would you say?"

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