If, like me, you’re a fan of The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors, and have been gripped by the BBC One game show since day one, you’ll be pleased to know you can now bring a slice of the show’s deception and drama into your own home. The official Traitors board game lets you test your powers of persuasion, spot the liar in your midst, and maybe even betray a loved one, all from the comfort of your kitchen table.
The board game retails for £26.99 on the official Traitors online store, but you can grab it even cheaper at Argos, where it’s currently just £20.
The game is designed for between four and six players, though it’s aimed at ages 12 and up, so not quite one for the whole family. That said, some reviews suggest that slightly younger players might still enjoy getting involved. One review said: “The game didn’t disappoint in recreating the mystery and excitement of becoming a traitor or a traitor hunter! From the youngest 10-year-old to the oldest 82-year-old family members, we enjoyed it immensely and continue to look forward to playing it again and again.”
The game mirrors the format of the hit series hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Players complete missions together to earn gold, while one secretly appointed Traitor works against the group to steal everything.
While this is a board game, it also comes with cards that not only discreetly reveal who is a Faithful and who is a Traitor, but also include mission cards (plus a secret mission for the Traitor), and shield cards that Faithfuls can win to protect themselves from elimination. The game even includes blindfolds, which have to go on every time a Traitor needs to read their secret mission, so the Faithfuls can’t sneak a peek.
There’s also a voting sheet for when it’s time to try and root out those pesky Traitors. At the heart of the board is a dagger, which the Traitor spins towards the person they want to murder, while everyone else is blindfolded.
Granted, the prize fund in this version isn’t quite as life-changing as the real show, but it’s all just a bit of fun. Instead of real cash, you’ll be playing for gold pieces included in the game, which players can win throughout.
With Christmas just around the corner, this could be a great one to pull out after dinner. One reviewer said: “Bought this for my boyfriend’s family as an early Christmas gift. It was so much fun to play, we had a blast.”
The game comes with instructions to guide you through, though the reviews are a little mixed on how easy it is to play. One customer said: “So long as you persevere with the instructions on the first game play, you will find the essential elements of the game are all included – mission, banishment, murder – and it’s well worth it.”
However, another person said: “The rules are too complicated, after one hour of attempting we put it back in the box, waste of money!”
Some players suggest adding an extra layer of atmosphere by playing the soundtrack from the Traitors television show while you play.
A final review warned: “You’ll lose friends and family! Be vigilant!”