TOP SECRET // DOSSIER #356 CLASSIFIED INSPIRED BY EL MEKINA

TRUST NO ONE.
DECEIVE. SURVIVE.

In a world where information is currency and trust is a weapon, you are an operative holding secret identity cards. Claim roles you don't have. Fake abilities. Call out your friends' lies before they eliminate you.

2 – 8 Players Local
7 Secret Roles
100% Offline Ready
1v1 ELO Online Ranking
OPERATIONAL TRAILER // FEED #15S
EVIDENCE FILE
▶ WATCH OFFICIAL TRAILER (1080P)
AUDIO: MASTERED 128 BPM
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

THE 7 SECRET IDENTITIES

Every round, operatives hold secret role cards. You can claim any ability at any time. Will your rivals let you get away with it, or call your bluff?

#01 FREE ABILITY
Businessman Card Character Portrait UNSTOPPABLE PROFIT

BUSINESSMAN

Take 4 coins straight from the central bank. This ability cannot be blocked by standard defenses.

Tactical Note: Hoard coins quickly to reach the 7-Kill protocol, but watch out for greedy Taxmen!
#02 FREE ABILITY
Taxman Card Character Portrait ECONOMIC CONTROL

TAXMAN

Taxes all wealthy players with 7+ coins (takes 1 from each). Can also block Support actions (+2) from the bank.

Tactical Note: Keep rivals starved of coins so they can never afford assassination strikes.
#03 COSTS 3 COINS
Assassin Card Character Portrait LETHAL STRIKE

ASSASSIN

Pay 3 coins to launch an assassination against any operative. Target must permanently discard one alive identity card.

Tactical Note: Vulnerable to Marshal counter-claims. Time your hit when rivals are low on defensive bluffs.
#04 COSTS 4 COINS
Marshal Card Character Portrait INTERROGATOR

MARSHAL

Pay 4 coins to interrogate a rival and guess their role. If you guess right, they lose a card. Guess wrong, they take your coins!

Tactical Note: Counters Assassins! Use behavioral deduction and previous claim patterns to nail targets.
#05 FREE ABILITY
Detective Card Character Portrait ESPIONAGE

DETECTIVE

Secretly peek at one of a target's cards. You may choose to swap it with one of yours to steal their best weapon.

Tactical Note: Information is lethal. Knowing what someone has makes their bluffs effortless to crush.
#06 FREE ABILITY
Politician Card Character Portrait SHUFFLE & RESET

POLITICIAN

Discard all your active cards into the deck and draw completely fresh identities. Resets your profile when cornered.

Tactical Note: When everyone thinks they know your hand, a Politician swap shatters their entire plan.
#07 FREE ABILITY
Thief Card Character Portrait PICKPOCKET

THIEF

Steal up to 2 coins from any operative. Only another claimed Thief can counter and stop the robbery.

Tactical Note: Punish opponents who are saving up for big kills, while fueling your own bank.
CORE CLASSIFIED DECK
The System Card Back Artwork 3 CARDS PER PLAYER

THE DECK

Every player starts with 3 hidden cards. If you lose all 3 cards to challenges or assassinations, you are eliminated!

Victory: Last operative standing with at least 1 card in hand wins the game.
OFFICIAL FIELD MANUAL

HOW TO PLAY THE SYSTEM

Master the rules of deceit. Learn how every round unfolds from dealing to final elimination.

01

SETUP & ROLES

2 to 8 operatives gather around one phone. Everyone secretly checks their 3 dealt role cards. Coins are pooled in the bank.

02

TAKE ACTION

On your turn, choose: take Income (+1), Support (+2), claim a role's ability (like Taxman or Assassin), or launch a strike.

03

BLUFF OR CHALLENGE

You can claim any role even if you don't hold it. The challenge countdown starts: rivals can call "LIAR!" or let your claim pass.

04

CARD ELIMINATION

If caught lying, you discard an alive card. If the challenger was wrong, THEY lose a card. Be the last operative alive to win!

ADVANCED STRATEGIC ACTIONS

TACTICAL DIRECTIVE

Beyond standard character claims, operatives can execute these game-changing financial and defensive actions:

ACTION COIN COST EFFECT COUNTER / DEFENSE
Income Free Take 1 safe coin from the bank. Cannot be blocked or challenged. None (Unstoppable)
Support Free Take 2 coins from the bank. High risk, high reward. Taxman can claim to BLOCK Support
7-Kill Strike 7 Coins Force any chosen opponent to immediately lose one alive card. Can be countered by paying 9 coins
Nine Shield 9 Coins Purchase permanent tactical armor that absorbs one incoming elimination strike. None (Absorbs hit)
Challenge (Call "LIAR!") Free Trigger a card check. Caught liar loses 1 card; false accuser loses 1 card. Show true card to punish accuser
JOIN THE UNDERGROUND

DOWNLOAD THE SYSTEM NOW

Free to play. No pay-to-win mechanics. Pure psychological warfare and tactical deduction.

Itch.io by The 356 Developper

Direct Android APK release & PC standalone on Itch.io. Sideload directly without Play Store services.

  • Direct APK download file
  • DRM-free indie release
  • Developer commentary & community forum
  • 100% offline standalone package
★ GET ON ITCH.IO
DEBRIEFING & INTEL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know about gameplay, offline modes, and rules.

What is The System and how does it play? ▼
The System is a social deduction bluffing card game for 2 to 8 players inspired by the classic Tunisian card game El Mekina. Every operative receives secret identity cards from a deck containing 7 unique roles. On your turn, you claim any role and trigger its ability—regardless of whether you actually have that card in your hand. Other operatives have a countdown window to challenge your claim by yelling "LIAR!". Caught liars lose an identity card, while false accusers also lose a card. The last player with cards remaining wins.
Can I play with my friends on a single phone without Wi-Fi? ▼
Yes! The core feature of The System is Local Pass-and-Play (2–8 players). You only need one smartphone or tablet passed around the group. The app hides secret cards behind private reveal buttons so no one sees each other's hand. It requires zero internet connection, making it perfect for road trips, parties, flights, and game nights.
Is there a solo mode against bots or online multiplayer? ▼
Yes. The System features:
  • Single Player vs AI Bots: Practice your bluffing psychology against smart AI opponents with adjustable difficulty settings.
  • Online 1v1 Multiplayer: Play against other operatives worldwide with real-time lobbies, live reactions/taunts, and ELO competitive ranking.
How does The System compare to Coup, Werewolf, or El Mekina? ▼
If you love the tense bluffing of Coup and the psychological deduction of Werewolf/Mafia, The System delivers a dynamic experience rooted in El Mekina: 3 secret cards per player for deeper tactical endurance, 7 distinct roles (Businessman, Taxman, Assassin, Marshal, Detective, Politician, Thief), the 7-Kill elimination protocol, and tactical Nine-Shield armor mechanics.
Is The System free to play and pay-to-win? ▼
The System is 100% free to play with zero pay-to-win elements. Every player has identical access to roles and probabilities. Victory relies strictly on your poker face, strategic reading of opponents, and risk management.