Among Ass: Trilogy, developed and published by Volens Nolens Games, is an unapologetically absurd party-action game that leans hard into chaotic, lowbrow humor and fast-paced betrayal mechanics. Designed for local multiplayer or Remote Play Together, it offers a blend of social deception, light survival elements, and slapstick absurdity. At its core, the game puts players on a malfunctioning spaceship, where they must race against time to repair it before it explodes—unless, of course, one or more players are secretly sabotaging the mission. With its crude name and irreverent tone, it’s immediately clear that Among Ass: Trilogy doesn’t take itself seriously, and neither should its players.
The game thrives in short, chaotic bursts of gameplay. Each round plays out in compact, looping maps filled with tasks, hazards, and opportunities for sabotage. One or more players may be randomly designated as “bad asses,” whose sole purpose is to quietly eliminate the rest of the crew before the ship is repaired. The rest of the players must complete objectives and survive without knowing who to trust. While the concept bears some resemblance to other social deception games, Among Ass injects its own flavor of madness through exaggerated animations, over-the-top settings, and wild in-game modifiers that can change the tone of a match entirely.
Customization plays a big role in adding replayability and silliness to the experience. Players can personalize their characters with colors, hats, and other visual tweaks, but more importantly, they can modify the game rules to suit their group’s style. There are preset modes like “Insane Mode” or “Gachi Mode” that dial up the unpredictability and make matches even more ridiculous. Another unique mechanic is that players who die can still use specific abilities, which adds a layer of strategy and chaos even after elimination. Doors can be locked to trap other players, and up to 20 AI bots can be added to keep matches lively if you're short on human participants.
Visually, the game is simplistic and intentionally unpolished. The character models are cartoonishly clunky, the environments are basic, and the animations are more comedic than convincing. This style might turn away players looking for a polished aesthetic, but it fits the chaotic and comedic nature of the gameplay. Sound design follows a similar pattern, with exaggerated sound effects and comedic voice lines enhancing the lighthearted vibe. It’s clear the developers aimed for entertainment over refinement, and in the right social setting, the game delivers exactly that.
Where Among Ass: Trilogy truly shines is in local or shared multiplayer sessions. With a group of friends, the chaos quickly becomes the main event—accusations fly, alliances shift, and the sabotage-driven gameplay often descends into hilarious confusion. On the other hand, playing solo or with only bots strips much of the social element that makes the experience so entertaining. While the AI can mimic some human behavior, it doesn’t replicate the tension and betrayal that human players bring to the table. Match duration is short by design, encouraging repeat rounds, but this also means there's limited progression or variety in longer play sessions.
The game has received a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam, with users praising its affordability, chaotic gameplay, and unexpected moments of hilarity. At its low price point—frequently discounted under a dollar—it offers surprising value for a group looking for something easy to pick up and laugh over for an evening. However, some players have criticized it for lacking depth, polish, and meaningful content beyond the initial novelty. The humor, while intentionally juvenile, won’t be for everyone, and the core loop can feel repetitive after several rounds if you're not playing in a party setting.
Ultimately, Among Ass: Trilogy is a tongue-in-cheek, chaotic experience best enjoyed with a group of friends looking to laugh, sabotage, and survive just long enough to betray each other. It doesn’t offer the strategic depth of other social deception games, nor does it try to. Instead, it embraces its absurdity, offering an accessible and entertaining multiplayer romp. If you're in the mood for something ridiculous, short-form, and very much not serious, this game fits the bill. For those seeking complexity or polish, it's best to look elsewhere—but for a night of couch co-op madness, Among Ass: Trilogy gets the job done with a mischievous grin.
Rating: 7/10
