Town of Salem

About

Town of Salem is a multiplayer survival role playing game with a mystery theme. It was developed by BlankMediaGames and was released on December 15, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

Town of Salem is a multiplayer game based on the party games Mafia and Werewolf, wetting players' appetite for deception and survival. With up to 15 players and 33 roles, each game is a unique experience as Town members and villains try to outsmart each other. The goal for Town members is to uncover the Mafia and other baddies, while evil players aim to eliminate Town members without getting caught. The ultimate test of cunning and deduction awaits you in Town of Salem.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 48,965 reviews

gameplay491 positive mentions

monetization178 negative mentions

gameplay
1,503 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The gameplay of "Town of Salem" is a complex blend of social deduction, strategy, and psychological manipulation, often compared to classic party games like Mafia and Werewolf. While many players find the mechanics engaging and rewarding once mastered, the experience can be marred by a toxic community and unbalanced gameplay, particularly in unranked matches. Overall, the game offers a unique and immersive experience, but new players may struggle with its learning curve and the often hostile environment.
- “The gameplay is a thrilling blend of deduction, psychological warfare, and sheer luck.”
- “What makes Town of Salem so great is the depth of its gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly engaging.”
- “Every match has toxic players, there are bots in every other lobby that don't allow you to actually queue up in a game, and once you understand the mechanics well enough every single round feels very samey.”
- “The gameplay at best is boring and at worst is nerve shredding.”
- “The toxic community, stagnant gameplay mechanics, and technical shortcomings combine to create an experience that falls far short of its potential.”
humor
818 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Town of Salem" is a significant draw for players, characterized by a mix of dark, edgy jokes and chaotic interactions that often lead to hilarious moments. While the community can be toxic at times, many players find joy in the absurdity of the gameplay, the clever banter, and the unpredictable nature of social deduction, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. However, the presence of immature players and offensive humor can detract from the overall enjoyment for some.
- “The in-game chat becomes a battlefield of hilarious arguments, desperate pleas, and the occasional salty player rage-quitting.”
- “This makes for an absolutely hilarious experience.”
- “It's hilarious watching people get paranoid and start lynching innocents left and right, and even more hilarious if you're the killer and convince everyone it's not you!”
- “You may have games where you're hanged just because you didn't play along with a joke, or people aren't hanged because of their name/unfunny joke they made.”
- “Good but there's a lot of people in this game that makes it unfunny.”
- “☐ funny bugs”
graphics
629 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
60%
9%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are simplistic and reminiscent of older titles, often described as "90s" or "flash game" quality. While some appreciate the charming and cartoonish art style, others criticize it as outdated and lacking polish. Overall, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay experience is more important than the graphics, suggesting that the game's mechanics and social interaction take precedence over visual appeal.
- “From cartoonish graphics to fun gameplay, I'd recommend this game to literally everyone!”
- “The visuals are next level compared to the PS2-like graphics of the other games, and the gameplay maintains the same feel of the older entries while adding a couple of fresh things.”
- “Amazing gameplay, awesome community, great graphics 10/10 game.”
- “First off, the graphics are straight out of the '90s, and not in a good way.”
- “Seriously, I've seen better visuals in a potato!”
- “Also, the visuals look extremely outdated and childish like some old Facebook game.”
monetization
386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
42%
46%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions and in-game advertisements, even after purchasing the game. While some argue that the microtransactions are primarily cosmetic and do not impact gameplay, others feel that the constant push for additional purchases detracts from the overall experience, labeling it a "cash grab." Players suggest that the free browser version, which includes ads, may be a better option than the paid Steam version, which still features promotional content for in-game purchases.
- “Monetization is not too bad either; it seems to be purely cosmetic to me after playing for 40 hours.”
- “There are microtransactions for cosmetics, but most of those can also be obtained for free over time as well.”
- “In-game purchases do not affect gameplay, as most of what is offered are cosmetic items.”
- “The shop is a shameless cash grab; if you get this game, just ignore the shop. You do need to get a master's in psychology if you want to understand the ranked matches.”
- “Amazing game, however it seems like the developers want to push for a project with questionable monetization instead.”
- “I'm very disappointed to see a quality game go down the route of microtransactions. It's an awful shame, and what's more, it's pretty sh*tty of you guys to charge for a free game and then rip off the people who paid full price for it by not only having promotions for microtransactions still in the game, but also now introducing a 'premium' currency for people with wallets bigger than brains or access to mummy's PayPal.”
story
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
83%
5%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of the game's story aspect, with some players emphasizing the lack of a traditional narrative while others appreciate the emergent storytelling that arises from player interactions and plot twists during gameplay. Many players find the dynamic nature of the game allows for unique stories to unfold in each match, making it engaging despite the absence of a structured storyline. Overall, while some reviews note a weak or nonexistent story, others celebrate the game's ability to create memorable and entertaining experiences through its mechanics and player-driven narratives.
- “Rather than aligning with the town's inhabitants, my mission was to elude their suspicions and manipulate the narrative to suit my agenda.”
- “The intense discussions, unexpected plot twists, and the thrill of trying to outsmart your opponents make Town of Salem an addictive and engaging multiplayer experience.”
- “Every game has the chance to develop a completely unique story, and it's such a thrill to fool other players and win the game as the bad guys.”
- “This game has no story or progression, so it can get old quickly, but it's something that you can go back to frequently with friends to have a good time.”
- “So first, story, which, in fact, there really is none... you are put into a town where townies are looking for murderers, mafia, arsonists, stuff like that.”
- “No appeal, no side of any story.”
music
229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its catchy and nostalgic qualities, while others find it repetitive or annoying. Some highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during tense moments, while a few criticize the sound design as cheap or grating. Overall, the music is generally seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its charm and atmosphere.
- “The music when turning day is just so unexplainably fire.”
- “The soundtrack is great and gives me nostalgia.”
- “It's updated art is charming, its music is spot-on, and its general aesthetic just pulls you in.”
- “Music is horrific.”
- “Everything about this game is cheap and garish, from the graphics to the music and the poor confusing gameplay.”
- “However, what I found really grating was its cheap and horrible music/sound design.”
replayability
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The game "Town of Salem" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players noting that the variety of roles and game modes ensures that each session feels unique and engaging. Many reviews highlight the game's infinite replay value, driven by its random role generation and the dynamic interactions among players, making it a favorite for both casual and competitive play. Overall, the game's design fosters a rich environment for repeated play, keeping players coming back for more.
- “In short, Town of Salem is the best game of my life because it's a game that's easy to learn but hard to master, with endless replayability and a community that's second to none.”
- “There are so many roles and players with different playstyles that the game itself has basically infinite replay value.”
- “Replayability: 10/10 - Town of Salem has so many different game modes and roles that it never gets boring.”
- “The main downside of this mode is that it isn't all that replayable.”
- “During the slow games it can be super boring or fun depending on what's going on and the large amount of classes makes this game more replayable.”
- “Each round takes probably 20-30 minutes, but with a bunch of roles and game settings to play with, the replayability factor is enormous.”
stability
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While some users have noted improvements with recent updates, the overall experience remains marred by instability, making it difficult to play without interruptions. Despite its fun gameplay, the persistent technical issues have led to frustration and dissatisfaction within the community.
- “It runs great and the community is great too.”
- “Runs great on lower end specs, art and sound are perfect for a game like this.”
- “You don't need a fast computer; it runs great on everything.”
- “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that make it practically unplayable.”
- “Game crashes and/or freezes no matter what I tried to do.”
- “I can't even finish games because it freezes mid-game; I am forced to close the game completely.”
optimization
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
57%
14%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that it runs smoothly on various devices while others criticize its performance, especially compared to the original Flash version. Many users express a desire for better optimization, particularly for low-end systems, and some have reverted to the browser version due to fewer performance issues. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its optimization remains a significant concern for many players.
- “The game runs smoothly on any device and looks great.”
- “The game's now after years in an optimized state, which is more than welcome.”
- “The update added a lot to the game in terms of graphics as well as optimization.”
- “Very poorly optimized and I don't want to spend hours trying to fix what is essentially a $10 flash game.”
- “Awful performance, requires more power than any 2019 3D shooter.”
- “Poorly featured and terribly optimized; Town of Salem both looks and runs like it was made in Flash.”
grinding
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
45%
51%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it can be excessively grindy, requiring significant time investment to achieve goals or unlock content. While some find the grind tedious and overwhelming, others appreciate the engaging gameplay that can make the grind feel worthwhile. Overall, it seems that players looking for a casual experience may find the grinding aspect off-putting, while those seeking a time sink may enjoy the challenge.
- “This game isn't grindy; it's fun, it's competitive, and it has a couple of memes in it about some random stuff. It's also a very unique type of game that is very rarely seen, and the creators perfected what they tried to do.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If you're looking for a grindy time sink, then here it is.”
- “Before it was fun to grind to win and get town coins for cosmetic changes, but now the grind is ridiculous. Just playing won't get you the new stuff, and I refuse to pay real money for a cosmetic change that won't do anything for me.”
- “Nice for when you have lots of time on your hands but don't know what to do with it, though it can get tedious at times.”
emotional
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of "Town of Salem" and its sequel elicits strong reactions from players, ranging from deep investment and heartfelt connections to frustration and betrayal. Many players express that the game has profoundly impacted their emotions, leading to moments of joy, camaraderie, and even tears, while others highlight the toxicity and negativity within the community that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game serves as both a source of emotional fulfillment and a potential trigger for frustration, making it a complex emotional landscape for its players.
- “This is a game of betrayal, love, lust, heartbreak, and jokes... if you were to tell me I would love a game like this 5 years ago, I would have laughed at you... but now I am crying knowing that this is my heaven and hell... it made me feel whole... I love you.”
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “Just found out this game was on Steam and I cried.”
atmosphere
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
48%
16%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its suspenseful and communal vibe, while others criticize the shift towards a more childish and toxic environment due to microtransactions and gameplay changes. Many feel that the game should evoke feelings of dread and uncertainty, but instead, it has been likened to a family board game, detracting from its intended experience. Overall, while some still find the atmosphere enjoyable, there is a consensus that it has deteriorated over time.
- “Gameplay - forgoing the learning involved, the game's suspense and atmosphere makes it really fun to play!”
- “The concept is brilliant, and the different roles and mechanics create an intriguing and suspenseful atmosphere as you try to figure out who’s who.”
- “In conclusion, I can say that Town of Salem is a game with a nice atmosphere which is definitely worth the money.”
- “This ruins the atmosphere of the game and turns it into something it was never meant to be... and the moderation of these behaviors is nonexistent.”
- “Now, the atmosphere is becoming so toxic that it is making it hard to play the game and actually enjoy it.”
- “This should be a game that evokes dread, uncertainty, and dreariness, not a monopoly game with your family atmosphere.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development is highlighted by charming and appealing character designs that resonate well with players, contributing to an overall positive impression of the characters.