Subterfuge

About

Subterfuge is a single player casual strategy game. It received very positive reviews from players.

Subterfuge is a week-long game of strategy and diplomacy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,140 reviews

gameplay23 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

The game offers a unique blend of strategy and diplomacy, making each match engaging and unpredictable.
Players appreciate the slow-paced gameplay that allows for thoughtful planning and strategy over a week-long period.
The mechanics are easy to learn but provide depth, allowing for various tactical options and specialist interactions.

The game suffers from frequent crashes and bugs, which can disrupt gameplay and frustrate players.
There is a significant issue with multi-boxing and pre-made alliances, which can lead to unfair advantages and diminish the competitive experience.
The in-app purchase for Level 2 access is considered too expensive by many players, limiting the ability to play multiple games simultaneously.

gameplay
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by simple yet deep mechanics that allow for a wide range of strategic options, making each encounter unique and engaging. While the game features a real-time strategy format with a week-long duration for actions, players appreciate the intuitive controls and the ability to schedule moves, although some find the pacing slow and the community dynamics frustrating. Overall, the blend of tactical gameplay, specialist units, and a unique time mechanic creates a compelling experience, despite some bugs and a steep learning curve for advanced strategies.
- “The gameplay is simple: a real-time risk-like strategy game taking place over the period of a week where the actions you and other players make take hours and sometimes days to execute, causing your decisions to have significant and long-term impacts.”
- “Very strategic gameplay and social elements make every single game different!”
- “A wonderfully paced game with simple, yet deep mechanics.”
- “Gameplay is incredibly slow.”
- “No reminders or heads up during gameplay really makes a long-term game pretty worthless.”
- “But limited future movements absolutely cripples your ability to plan ahead, kinda ruins the gameplay.”
monetization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
33%
24%
The monetization model of the game is largely praised for its lack of intrusive ads and minimal in-app purchases, with only one optional purchase priced around $10 that enhances gameplay but is not necessary to enjoy the full experience. Players appreciate the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, highlighting that the game can be fully enjoyed without spending money, although some express a desire for more varied and affordable in-app purchase options. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as fair and user-friendly, contributing positively to the game's reception.
- “Absolutely no ads, and only 1 in-app purchase.”
- “No pay-to-win, no ads, no pointlessly slow and elaborate upgrades.”
- “Although ten dollars is a tad steep, it's completely worth it for a free game with no ads!”
- “The only in-app purchase is totally unnecessary.”
- “No playable game without a hefty $13 in-app purchase as you can only play one game at a time without it and 'one game' might be sitting in a group finder that will never find.”
- “The in-app purchase is to unlock 'l2' clearance which lets you play more than one game at once and plan more than 4 moves ahead, neither of which I find necessary but is an option for some.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The game's stability is generally described as inconsistent, with users reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly on newer Android versions. While some players enjoy the overall experience, they note that the lack of recent updates since 2015 has led to increased instability. Despite these issues, many still find the gameplay engaging and enjoyable, though they hope for future patches to address the bugs.
- “Not too buggy.”
- “Runs smoothly and has no glitches.”
- “Can sometimes be a bit buggy on new Android versions, where it gives you a session conflict error if you tap on a notification to open the game.”
- “A shame that no developers are on it anymore, so it's getting buggy.”
- “Hasn't been updated since 2015, so it can be buggy.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics are generally described as simple yet effective, complementing the game's mechanics and enhancing gameplay clarity. Many users appreciate the art style and aesthetics, noting that while the graphics could be improved for attractiveness, they are fitting and informative. Overall, the visuals support the game's depth and strategic elements, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “Love the aesthetics, love the effort they took to come up with the rules.”
- “While the complex gameplay may seem intimidating at first, the controls are intuitive, the gameplay is depthful and polished, and the art style is fittingly simple.”
- “A sublime mix of strategy and diplomacy, with a brilliant art style.”
- “Graphics are simplistic yet informative and appropriate.”
- “Tip: improve the graphics just a little, to make it look more attractive.”
- “The graphics are simple, but the game's mechanics allow for infinite variations of strategy.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game's story is praised for its engaging concept and the ability to create memorable narratives after each match, though some players desire a more expansive sandbox mode for skill development and strategy experimentation. The pacing allows for thoughtful planning, enhancing the overall experience, while training missions effectively teach mechanics without the need for in-app purchases. Overall, the community aspect adds to the enjoyment of the story-driven gameplay.
- “Finish a match every time with an epic story to tell.”
- “Great concept, decent execution; I'd really like to see a sandbox-type offline gameplay where you can hone your skills.”
- “The game moves slowly, giving you time to brood and plot as you watch your plans come to fruition.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game is praised for its immense replayability, with users highlighting its absorbing gameplay, strategic depth, and active community. Many consider it one of the few free Android games that offers infinite replay value, making it a standout choice for players seeking long-term engagement.
- “Totally absorbing, infinitely replayable.”
- “The scheming and the mind games all give this game infinite replayability.”
- “It is one of the few Android games that I can truly say has immense replay value, especially for a free game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, expressing a desire for faster gameplay options to reduce the lengthy wait times.
- “I wish there was an option to play faster games; having to wait days and days is a bit tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless, and it often takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “I find the repetitive tasks to be a major drag, making it hard to stay engaged.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game experiences some server and optimization issues, but overall, it runs smoothly without glitches, making it enjoyable for occasional play. However, the lack of ongoing development raises concerns about its long-term support.
- “Runs smoothly and has no glitches.”
- “It has server and some optimization issues, but overall it's a good game to play once a year.”
- “My only criticism is that development for the game has stopped (understandable given the game's cost and modest commercial performance).”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be intense and draining, as it involves significant mental investment and the potential for betrayal among allies. The experience can lead to heightened emotions, particularly when plans fail or weaker players struggle, making it a challenging yet engaging journey. Overall, while the game avoids a "pay to win" model, the emotional stakes are high, requiring players to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
- “A mental and emotional investment in a game.”
- “Expect your allies to backstab you, your plans to crumble at some point, and weaker players to become emotional. It is not 'pay to win', but upgrading does provide benefits like joining more than one game and giving more driller orders at a time.”
- “Emotionally draining, though... you have been warned!”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted as being particularly enjoyable when played with friends, providing a fun and engaging experience. While some may initially find the game slow and strategic, it ultimately offers a unique blend of thoughtful gameplay and comedic moments that can lead to laughter among players.
- “Hilarious with friends.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers appreciate the game's concept but express a desire for improved music, suggesting the addition of a mild soundtrack to enhance the experience. Overall, while the gameplay is recommended, the lack of music is noted as a missed opportunity.
- “The game concept is very good, but it needs some music or a mild soundtrack to enhance the experience.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a casual yet strategic pace, making it accessible while encouraging players to think ahead. This balance creates an inviting environment that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- “Not only does it offer mechanics that are easy to understand, it also provides a pace that promotes a casual atmosphere while requiring you to strategize well into the future.”