# Subterfuge

> Real-time multiplayer strategy and diplomacy game played over a week. (iPhone/iPad app by Secret Plan LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subterfuge/id702951905 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Secret Plan LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1612896544)
- Category: Games, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 580 App Store ratings · 264 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 47 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-10-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subterfuge/id702951905/reviews.md

## What is Subterfuge?

* Multiplayer Game of the Year 2015 by Pocket Tactics *
* Best Mobile Games of 2015 by CNET *
* 10 Best Mobile Games of 2015 by Red Bull *

Subterfuge is a week-long multiplayer game of strategy and diplomacy that plays out in real time. Gather intelligence, coordinate with other players, issue orders, and influence how the game unfolds. Master both strategy and diplomacy to come out on top.


"One of the best strategy games I've played all year. And it's on my iPhone, of all places." -- Polygon

"Subterfuge is the perfect mobile game for someone looking for an in-depth strategy game you can play for 5 minutes at a time or stare at your phone for 45 minutes plotting schemes and executing flawlessly timed maneuvers" -- TouchArcade

"In a world of single-serving iPhone distraction, Subterfuge is a remarkable standout, a booming four-course meal of strategy, diplomacy, and damn fine gameplay." -- The Daily Dot

"A diplomacy system more dynamic and tense than a Middle East peace talk." -- Gamespresso

“The designers, to their credit, have created a truly bottomless puzzle. This app is hypnotizing” -- Quintin Smith (Cool Ghosts)


Features unlocked by buying Level 2 Security Clearance IAP:
* Unlimited scheduled orders
* Create private games
* Play in rated games
* Play multiple games simultaneously
* Keep notes about other players

## Key features

- Week-long real-time gameplay
- Strategy and diplomacy mechanics
- Intelligence gathering
- Order issuance
- Player coordination
- Unlimited scheduled orders (with IAP)
- Private game creation (with IAP)

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Level 2 Security Clearance | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medal | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 5 Medals | $4.99 | one-time |
| Level 2 Security Clearance | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Subterfuge?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Awesome strategy game
- 👍 Brilliant game
- 👍 Fantastic game
- 👍 Best strategy game
- 👍 Excellent game
- 👍 Incredible game
- 👍 Beautifully crafted
- 👍 Excellent multiplayer
- 👍 Extremely well thought out

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy
- 🐛 Crashes too much
- 🐛 Unplayable
- 🐛 Crashes
- 🐛 Chat freezes
- 🐛 Incompatible with older devices
- 💰 Expensive IAP
- 🕰️ Slow paced
- 👥 Toxic community

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Queen randomly loses hire points
- Win conditions don't trigger
- Login screen freezes
- Game crashes on launch
- Notifications arrive late
- Unable to delete subs on iOS
- Touchscreen issues (not centered, wrong button presses)

**Most requested features**

- Accelerated gameplay
- Shorter game modes
- Alliance feature
- More specialists
- New game modes
- Ability to view player profiles during game
- Option to privately tag players
- Refresh button
- Ability to delete subs on iOS
- NAP Breaker medal
- Customizable backgrounds and items
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard

## Recent user reviews (10 of 264)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subterfuge/id702951905/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Resist slop, embrace subs

*2026-05-25, version 10518*

This is just a really solid strategy game and doesn’t feed into a dopamine hole just to push ads on you. Enjoy and embrace this game and its community.

### 5/5 — Played this game for years

*2026-03-01, version 10365*

Truly one of the best games of all time

### 5/5 — Amazing game!

*2026-01-26, version 10275*

Some of the most intense fun you can have over 10 days

### 5/5 — Great game

*2025-09-28, version 10275*

It's an awesome strategy game. Definitely recommend a download its comparable to War* the board game but more indepth. the only but* is that its a slow game, its Not clash royal where its a 360sec quickie. 1 match takes place over 5 days. I'll play a game every month er so. Awesome game,  give it a try.

### 5/5 — 5/5

*2025-06-02, version 10211*

This is literally the best mobile game so underrated

### 1/5 — Not worth 15$

*2025-04-02, version 10183*

Came in expecting a strategy board game, and left after realizing its just a bunch of chatrooms with glorified idle-clicker gameplay. 

The technical side of the game is simple, and most of the impactful gameplay is interacting with other players.

The game is slow, so most players play multiple lobbies at once. The result is that people resign very early if their start isn’t optimal, and move onto the next lobby.

I had about 7 players disconnect in my first four rated matches for no apparent reason. Three of those games went to players who ate up the dc’ed ones, while the rest turtled up and play for 2nd or 3rd place.

Also apparently the leaderboard is full of players on multiple accounts and the dev doesn’t really care because they’re making another game.

Tldr: 
-Quality of games is poor without any matchmaking
-Optimal strategy is to fight other players as little as possible
-Game doesn’t receive any notable updates (you can check the update history yourself)

The 15$ (used to be $5) to unlock the full game is obviously not going towards developing this game.

### 5/5 — One of a Kind Game

*2025-03-15, version 10183*

An awesome game with updates still happening 10+ years after release. Even though it’s old it’s still unparalleled in its niche genre. Nothing scratches my need for strategy and diplomacy quite like Subterfuge.

### 5/5 — Best hidden gem in the App Store!

*2025-03-04, version 10183*

By far the best game on the store. Been playing since 2015, and I recently re-downloaded it after the updates. Still as gritty, and thought provoking as I remember it!

### 1/5 — Ipad version is now very bad

*2025-02-24*

To the new developpers : the new ipad version is terrible ! You can’t zoom out like before to see the entire map , we’re always stuck in a close-up view which makes it unplayable. We can see now maybe less than one third of what we could see before when zooming out.

### 5/5 — This game still rules

*2025-01-14, version 10183*

5/5. Never played anything else like it.

## Frequently asked questions about Subterfuge

### What kind of game is Subterfuge?

Subterfuge is a week-long multiplayer game that combines real-time strategy with diplomacy. Players must gather intelligence, coordinate with others, and issue orders to influence the game's unfolding events. It's designed for players who enjoy deep strategic thinking and negotiation.

### What are the key features of Subterfuge?

Key features include week-long real-time gameplay, a focus on both strategy and diplomacy, intelligence gathering, the ability to issue orders, and player coordination. Advanced features like unlimited scheduled orders and private game creation are available through an in-app purchase.

### How much does Subterfuge cost?

The base game is free to download and play. Additional features, such as unlimited scheduled orders, creating private games, playing in rated games, playing multiple games simultaneously, and keeping notes on other players, can be unlocked by purchasing the Level 2 Security Clearance in-app purchase.

### What platforms is Subterfuge available on?

The description mentions it is available on iPhone, indicating it is a mobile application. It is designed for mobile devices, allowing for gameplay in short bursts or longer strategic sessions.

### What is the typical gameplay loop in Subterfuge?

Gameplay unfolds over a week in real time. Players spend time gathering intelligence on opponents, coordinating with allies, and issuing orders to their units. The core loop involves balancing strategic maneuvering with diplomatic interactions to outwit other players and achieve victory.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 11877 — 2026-08-12

Bugfixes

### 11829 — 2026-08-06

Bugfixes

### 11801 — 2026-07-27

Bugfixes

### 11786 — 2026-07-24

Bugfixes

### 11782 — 2026-07-23

Bugfixes

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## More apps by Secret Plan LLC

- [Windsor - Grand Strategy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/windsor-grand-strategy/id1612896542)

All apps by Secret Plan LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1612896544

## Related topics

[best diplomats](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/best-diplomats)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*