Black Cat: The Hidden Paw is a social deduction party game set in a 1950s noir animal city, supporting 4-12 players online. You play as an animal citizen in a metropolis where corruption lurks beneath a glamorous surface. Through investigation, deduction, and negotiation, you must expose the secret Black Cat organization hiding among you.
🕵️ The Setting
Welcome to the City of Animals—a bustling metropolis secretly infiltrated by an organization known only as the "Black Cat." Neon-lit alleyways, smoke-filled bars, a corrupt city hall... In this city of animals, everyone has secrets. Are you a citizen fighting for justice, or a Black Cat agent waiting for the right moment to strike? The hidden paw is already reaching out—are you ready for the night?
🎯 Factions & Win Conditions
Each game hosts 4-12 players divided into two factions:
| Faction | Win Condition |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Citizens | Reveal all [Black Cat Agent] identity cards through investigation and hearings |
| Black Cat | Eliminate all citizens during the night phase, or convert them all to the Black Cat cause |
> Key mechanic: Anyone who has ever held a Black Cat Agent identity card permanently joins the Black Cat faction—faction boundaries blur as the game progresses, and trust becomes a dangerous game!
🃏 Card System
Four card types, each with a distinct role:
- 🔴 Investigation Cards (Red)— Accumulate investigation points on a target; at 7 points, trigger a **Hearing** to flip one of their identity cards
- 🟢 Action Cards (Green) — One-time effects: Frame, Intercept, Destroy, Intimidate, Detain, Defend
- 🔵 Equipment Cards (Blue)— Persistent effects: Secret Orders, Conspiracy, Safe House, Immunity
- ⚫ Event Cards (Black) — Immediate global effects: Infiltration (spread infection), Night Operation (enter night phase)
🎭 15 Unique Roles
Each player draws a role card at the start, granting a unique ability:
| Role | Ability |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Journalist | Draw 2 extra cards from the deck when initiating a Hearing |
| Lawyer | Trigger a Hearing at 6 investigation points (instead of 7) |
| Detective | Investigation cards played against you count as only 1 point (normally 3) |
| Bartender | Draw 1 card whenever any player's identity card is revealed |
| Painter | Once per game, rearrange the deck order before your draw |
| ... | And many more to discover! |
🌙 Day & Night Cycle
The game alternates between Day and Night phases:
- ☀️ Day — Public Investigation: All players open their eyes. Play investigation cards, debate, and call for hearings
- 🌙 Night — Secret Operation: All players close their eyes. Black Cat agents open their eyes, discuss strategy, and choose a target to assassinate. The Detective opens their eyes to protect someone
✨ Key Features
- 4-12 Player Online Multiplayer — Best with 7-8 players, 25-35 minutes per game
- Noir Animal City Art Style— 1950s dark detective comic aesthetic with ink linework, halftone shading, and flat color blocks (inspired by Blacksad)
- Identity Infection Mechanic— Identity cards can be passed between players, dynamically shifting faction boundaries
- 15 Unique Character Roles — Different ability combinations every game for endless strategic variety
- Built-in Voice Chat— Phase-based automatic channel assignment (night phase: Black Cat only)
The hidden paw reaches out. In the City of Animals, nobody can be sure whose side you're really on. Watch your back—that "friend" beside you might just be waiting for nightfall.
