So here’s the story of how this all happened, it’s odd that it even sounds like a commercial.
We were working, and Angelina came into the office and pulled one of the smallest board games that we saw FROM HER POCKET! It’s Pizza Roles. This game is so simple and small that you can take it literally anywhere, yet it is still fun to play and can cure boredom at a party.
Pizza Roles is a light-hearted, social-deduction cardboard game with a unique twist on the hidden roles genre. Designed for 3–6 players and playable in about 10 minutes, this “filler” game manages to pack a surprising amount of strategy (well, not much, as it is only for fun, but for a game like that, it is very decent), deduction, and humor into a small package. Talking about the theme, it nails the awkward and often comical group decision-making process of ordering pizza, a relatable slice of life many of us have endured. Let’s uncover what makes Pizza Roles a treat worth savoring.
While settling down to play our first game, we decided to order a real pizza to get into the spirit. The irony wasn’t lost on us, we ended up using our actual game results to determine our real-life pizza toppings.
Components and Setup
The game comes with 54 cards divided into three distinct decks: Role cards, Toppings cards, and Conversation cards. The Role cards are double-sided, with one side displaying a secret objective and the other side serving as a reminder. These roles range from Carnivore Cate’s love of meats to Veggie Val’s preference for veggies. The Topping cards dictate the current pizza state and start in the “Not on the Pizza” zone, with their “Extra” side facing down. Conversation cards simulate the chaotic back-and-forth of a group pizza order, with humorous options like “This Is My Hill to Die On!” and “Social Anxiety.”
The topping cards dictate the current pizza state, while the Conversation cards simulate the chaotic back-and-forth of a group pizza order. We really liked the design; it took us back to the Friv days.
The setup is straightforward
- Place the Topping cards in the “Not on the Pizza” zone
- Deal each player one Role card and five Conversation cards
- Optionally, remove cards like “Existential Crisis” when playing in “VS” mode for smoother gameplay. Maybe grab a pizza too…
And you’re ready to start debating your ideal pie. Including cards like “This Is My Hill to Die On!” and “Social Anxiety” is an extra way to spice up the game and spread its humor.
Yeah, that’s it.
By the end of it your player hand should look something like this:
Pizza Roles Gameplay Overview
The gameplay is deceptively simple. Players take turns playing Conversation cards to manipulate toppings, like moving them on or off the pizza, flipping them to their “extra” side for double points, or engaging in outright sabotage. The game ends when most players pass consecutively, prompting a reveal of secret roles and a tallying of points. As the aroma of our pizza wafted through the room (we’d ordered a basic margarita as our canvas), we found ourselves surprisingly invested in our actual and fictional topping choices.
Playthrough Highlights
In our first game, we played the classic “VS” mode. The roles were immediately at odds: Carnivore Cate and Veggie Val were locked in a fierce battle, with Cate pushing for double sausage. At the same time, Val quietly removed every meat topping she could. Our Friendliest Fred tried valiantly to mediate by flipping pineapple onto the pizza, but his efforts caused chaos, as flipped toppings doubled their impact and clashed with others’ goals. also, not to target anyone, but c’mon, man, pineapples on pizza??? The final score saw Cate win thanks to some well-timed plays of “I’m Really Craving” cards.
Funnily enough, our real-life pizza ended up mirroring our in-game creation. We agreed to honor the winning pizza configuration from our game, which meant Cate’s victory treated us to a meat-lovers paradise atop our Margherita base. Sometimes, life imitates art!
Our second game was in Cooperative Mode, and the stakes felt significantly higher. This mode requires players to create two pizzas while ensuring every player achieves a positive score. With roles like Hawaiian Huey and Fishy Finn on the table, the challenge was balancing pineapple and anchovies across two pies. By the final round, the tension was palpable as we debated whether to flip onions to their “extra” side, placing them on both pizzas. Despite our best efforts, a card tanked the game by ensuring one player fell short of happiness.
What Stood Out in Pizza Roles
Theme and Humor
Pizza Roles nails its theme. It hilariously captures the awkwardness of trying to appease a group while hiding your true preferences. The Conversation cards, with phrases like “How about…” and “But what do you want?” feel pulled straight from a group text about dinner plans.
Accessibility
The rules are simple enough for casual players to pick up quickly but nuanced enough to keep more experienced gamers engaged. The 10-minute playtime makes it perfect as a warm-up or cooldown game for game nights.
The rivalry between players
Hidden role games often succeed by fostering table talk, and Pizza Roles is no exception. Every action feels meaningful, whether it’s a bluff to mislead others or a calculated play to maximize your points. The option to flip toppings and manage “extra” points adds a satisfying layer of strategy.
Final Thoughts
Pizza Roles achieves a rare feat: it is light, quick, and accessible yet brimming with strategic possibilities. Having played it multiple times with different groups, we’ve found that even our non-gamer friends who usually shy away from hidden role games get instantly hooked by its relatable theme and clever mechanics.
The unique roles ensure every game feels distinct, and the Cooperative Mode offers an additional layer of challenge for those seeking it. The familiar awkwardness of wanting pepperoni but not wanting to upset your vegetarian friend is brilliantly translated into gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a fan of deduction games or just love pizza, this game is bound to be a hit at your table.
Pro tip: We highly recommend ordering a real pizza while playing; you can always use the game’s outcome to settle any topping disputes!
If you enjoy this style of social deduction game, we’d strongly recommend checking out Feed the Kraken, another brilliant hidden role game that takes the concept to the high seas with a similar blend of deception and cooperation. While Pizza Roles focuses on the microcosm of pizza ordering, Feed the Kraken expands the concept into a full nautical adventure.
For anyone seeking a “filler” game that punches well above its weight class, Pizza Roles is an essential addition to your collection. It’s become our go-to opener for game nights, perfectly setting the tone for an evening of fun. Just remember to bring your appetite and your best poker face and keep your local pizzeria on speed dial, you’ll need it!
