Among Us, a top-down murder mystery video game by InnerSloth, has recently gained traction among teenagers and streamers. Simple and fun to play, the game can be played both in private lobbies with friends and public lobbies with strangers.

This indie game features crewmates and imposters. The colorful spaceman characters run around the map, silently watching and completing tasks. 

There are two ways for the crewmates to win: they must either vote off all of the imposters or collectively complete all of their tasks. Similarly, imposters can win by successfully creating an unresolved crisis, or killing all of the crewmates. 

You can download the game for free on iOS or Android and for $5 on Steam. Additional costumes and pets to decorate your character with can be purchased for fees.

The game begins with up to 10 players landing on a simple map. There are three maps to choose from: Skeld, Polus and Mira HQ.

Two types of players are randomly determined at the start of the game, crewmates and imposters. There can be up to three imposters in a game (this number is determined before the game starts).  

Crewmates do not know who the imposters are at the start of the game. One ability of the crewmates is to complete individually assigned tasks, mini games that are scattered around the map. The job of the crewmates is to complete all their tasks or vote off the imposters before they get killed. 

Imposters are aware of who the other imposters are, and do not have tasks. Imposters are given three special abilities: venting, sabotaging and murdering. 

Once a person is killed, they become a ghost. Ghosts can still complete their tasks, sabotage and watch the game, but they are not able to talk to or interact with the remaining players. 

Players are able to report bodies they find. This action pulls everyone into a common meeting area and a chat appears. The crewmates and imposters must discuss who they believe is the imposter and vote someone out. 

Another way to initiate the voting process is via pushing the emergency button; a shared ability between the imposters and the crewmates.The emergency button cannot be pressed if a crisis is taking place. 

Crises occur when an imposter uses the sabotage function. Some forms of sabotage include turning off the lights and closing doors.

Both crewmates and imposters can avoid such crises. Some of them, such as reactor meltdown, are time sensitive. If they don’t get completed fast enough, the imposters win. 

Originally, an Among Us sequel was planned to be released, but  the developers  recently decided that they were going to update the current version instead. 

The game recently received a few small updates; symbols were added to the wires task to help aid colorblind people and a new function that allows the ability to turn off who voted for who, along with some other minor fixes. 

In a time of COVID and social isolation, simple games that everyone can play like Among Us are a great way to connect and have fun. It’s no wonder that it is gaining traction now.