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Board Games and TCGs

Vaesen is the Prettiest Mystery TTRPG You Need at Your Table

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I was sent a free copy of the Veasen core rulebook to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

What is Vaesen?

Long ago, Vaesen and man lived side by side in harmony. Vaesen are powerful creatures with the power to control the world around it. Man would make offerings to the Vaesen in exchange for their powers. The Vaesen would make it rain, fill the forests with game, and anything else supernatural. As the industrial age dawned on Sweden, people began their migration to the big cities. Soon, there was no need for the Vaesen’s power and they slowly faded into fairy tales. Most lost their ability to see Vaesen.

Man may have lost their ability to see Vaesen, but the creatures live on in their separate world alongside man. The Vaesen keep to themselves for the most part. Occasionally, however, man’s impact on the planet goes too far and sends the Vaesen into a terrorizing rage. Stories circulate of castles haunted by terrifying ghosts, of witches that snatch up children in the middle of the night, or of trolls terrorizing villages. The people have learned to cope with the unexplainable, and most have forgotten about the Vaesen.

But not all is lost. The society was formed to keep man safe from rampaging Vaesen. The society is a secret organization made up of the few people left in this world with the ability to see Vaesen. People gain this ability by experiencing some kind of supernatural trauma. While these folks may not be the most stable, they are humanity’s only hope.

Gather your friends as you investigate the supernatural in this dark and edgy tabletop roleplaying game. Can you bring peace to the Vaesen before it is too late?

The book

The Veasen core rulebook is the prettiest RPG book you’re ever going to own. The cover and pages are textured to feel like an old book. The formatting is easy to read and search through. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. The art style is amazing and the use of color is astounding. I’ve read this book as a PDF, but nothing beats flipping through its pages. This is a very high-quality book and one that elevates the look and feel of any bookcase and table.

Gameplay


Vaesen is a D6 system that is easy to learn. Players will spend their sessions investigating mysteries and trying to bring peace to a raging Vaesen. This doesn’t have to mean combat. Vaesen seems to be a more roleplay-heavy system due to how investigations work, but you can always adjust the rules to fit the needs of your table. If you would like to learn how to play Vaesen before picking up the game, AlchemyRPG has a solid tutorial series. They also have a very good official module for their VTT. If you’re planning to run Vaesen online and don’t mind doing it through theater of the mind, AlchemyRPG might be the solution you’re looking for. I am not affiliated with the company, I just like the module.

Impressions

Veasen is a terrific RPG that deserves some attention. The system is unique and easy to learn, and the book is full of fantastic lore and flavor. The rulebook contains everything Gamemaster’s need to run a successful mystery, and there is even a prewritten module for those who need it. I felt like the system is better when players can get into character, struggle with their flaws, and roleplay through the investigation. While I am sure you can make the adjustments to focus on the needs of your table, the game is meant to be a monster of the week mystery-type game. I do like that there is a combat and skill system because things are better with RNG. Besides, it doesn’t matter what type of game you want to run, you’re players are always going to want to hit things.

The game has a tremendous amount of flavor. Even if you don’t end up playing a game of Vaesen, it’s going to be hard not to, you’re going to enjoy reading through the monster profiles. The lore is so good, and it reads like a fairy tale. The classes are all unique, but I like that they aren’t restricting. Classes feel like they are suggestions for roleplay because players have the freedom to play the character how they want. I like that the book gives a good amount of ideas for all sorts of creation for those who need it. The book ends with a well-written first mystery, making the core rulebook an invaluable resource for both players and gamemasters looking into running the game.

If you enjoy murder mystery roleplay, dig the 20’s aesthetic, or want something new to run at your table, check out Veasen. It is a beautiful book with some amazing lore that belongs on a lot more tables.

You can pick up the Vaesen rulebook in Hardcover on Amazon for $49.99 (Currently $40.79) through my affiliate link. If you don’t care about physical media, you can grab the PDF over on DriveThruRPG for $24.99.

Board Games and TCGs

Pathfinder 2E: Wardens of Wildwood – Pactbreaker 1st Impression

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I was sent a free copy of the Pathfinder Adventure Path: Wardens of Wildwood 1: Pactbreaker by Andrew White to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. I haven’t had a chance to run the game, but these are my honest first impressions.

What is Wardens of Wildwood?

Wardens of Wildwood is a three-book adventure module for your next Pathfinder campaign. Pactbreaker is the first of the books.

The Greenwood Gala is held in honor of the yearly signing of the treaty between the empire of Taldor and the citizens of the Verduran Forest. The treaty allows for peaceful and regulated trade between the two groups. This Gala is a large festival held leading up to the signing of this treaty, and it attracts people from all over to join in this magical week of revelry.

This year’s Gala is going to be big, and the organizers need additional volunteers. You and your party have been recruited to help keep the peace, but not without enjoying the festivities. The festivities end abruptly when several of the Verduran Forest’s leaders are murdered. It is now up to your party to find out the culprits and return peace to the forest without spilling too muchblood shed. Do you have what it takes?

The Book

The adventure comes in a nicely printed softcover book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the quality is sturdy. You will get a crease in the cover from use, but it isn’t a deal breaker. While hardcovers are always nice, I do appreciate the small form factor. The whole adventure is the size of a magazine, which makes transportation and storage incredibly easy. The included maps feel a little small, but you can cut them out or make copies if you would like to use them. Overall, Pactbreaker is a fine and quality product from our friends over at Piazo.

Impressions

Pactbreaker is the first part of the Wardens of Wildwood adventure path. All three parts are now available for purchase, but I only have access to Pactbreaker at the moment. I’ll be working on getting the other two installments. Stay tuned for that.

Pactbreaker is designed to take adventurers from levels 5 – 8. The idea is to give players access to a character that can make an impact in the world but still has room to grow. I enjoy running level 5 campaigns because players have enough tools to make things fun without being overpowered.

One important thing to note is that you will need access to the 2nd Edition rulebook. While most of the adventure is self contained within the book’s pages, it does not contain the rules. There is a list of supplemental reading materials for additional background and context for the campaign setting, but it isn’t needed. You can run this campaign with just the adventure book and a copy of the rulebook.

I like the flavor of the campaign. If you like woodland fantasy with cool druids, living plants, and ancient turtles, Pactbreaker is a great place to start. The adventure has cool lore, an interesting cast of NPCs, and some neat monsters that can carry into your other campaigns.

The adventure starts with a couple of encounters, but the focus of the first chapter is the downtime activities. I did find the initial encounters flavorful and open to creative solutions. I am sure your players will find a way to break them.

A big part of the first chapter will be spent on gaining influence with the various important NPCs and playing festival games. If you have ever wanted to run a festival in your campaign, the book has a good amount of rules for how to run all sorts of games. While the adventure will eventually have dungeon crawls and combat, your table should be comfortable enough with each other to participate in the festival. I can see this section being the most fun if your players are into the roleplay.

Pactbreaker is a great way to start your adventure in Verduran Forest if you don’t mind running a festival. I don’t think the festival is bad, I’ll be using some of the games in future adventures, but it isn’t going to be a fit for everyone. Once you get past the Gala, the adventure has a solid pace and a decent mystery. It definitely made me excited for part two.

You can pick up Wards of Wildwood: Pactbreaker on Amazon (using my affiliate link) or the official Paizo website for $29.99 ($19.99 for the pdf). If you run games online, you can pick up the official Foundry Module on the official Paizo website for $14.99. If you don’t know what Foundry is, check out my full review.

Board Games and TCGs

Blade Runner RPG: Replicant Rebellion Kickstarter Live & Fully Funded

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The Replicant Rebellion expansion is officially live on Kickstarter! If you’ve been enjoying the Blade Runner Roleplaying game, or are looking for something to spice up your next campaign, you’re going to want to back this project.

Replicant Rebellion is already fully funded, and if history is anything to go by, this is going to be a spectacular book. I am already a huge fan of the revealed art. Let’s dive into the expansion and get excited!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Replicant Rebellion

In Replicant Rebellion, players run their crews in secret operations in the name of the cause. They can help fugitive Replicants hide, sabotage the Replicant trade, fight against enemy crews, and much much more. This 200+ page book is sure to have something for your table. Players must be careful to keep their intentions concealed from the Blade Runners and their records clean. How much are you willing to give up for the cause?

Art

I was sent a few of the Blade Runner books to review for my blog, and they are so pretty. The art in these books is just too good to overlook, especially if you’re a fan of the source material. What I’ve seen so far from Replicant Rebellion is no exception:

Thoughts

If you are thinking of picking up this book, please keep in mind that you will need the core rulebook to run it. The Blade Runner RPG has a solid system that is easy to learn and pick up, and the book is so pretty.

As for the expansion, I think the concept is great. Flipping the roles so that a player can experience both sides of society is such a cool way to refresh a campaign. I’ve been running TTRPGs for a few years now and understand the pain that comes with burnout. Sometimes you need to take a break to recharge. Other times you need to switch systems and experience something different. Having to play the same system from a different angle is fantastic because no one has to learn new rules, and you don’t need to stop playing.

Sure you can make up your own world with and homebrew your lore and rules to keep things fresh, but some of us don’t have the time. It’s also nice to have a reference ready in case it is ever needed.

The book looks great, the concept is fantastic, and as a fan of the base material, I am all in. I will probably be getting my copy for review, so make sure you stay tuned for that. Until then, make sure you back that Kickstarter!

Board Games and TCGs, Series Reviews

Baranger’s Illustration of Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror is Amazing!

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I was sent a copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror illustrated by Baranger to cover on my blog. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but these will be my honest impressions. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends! You can also always buy me coffee.

Impressions of the Book

Our friends at Free League Publishing have a series of Lovecraft books they’ve been releasing works of Lovecraft illustrated by Baranger, and if you’re a fan of Lovecraftian horror, you need to get yourself some copies. As of writing this, you can pick up The Call of Cthulhu, The Dunwich Horror, and At the Mountains of Madness Vol 1 & Vol 2 for $33.87 each. You can pick up both volules of At the Mountains of Madness for $52.53. If the quality and detail of my copy of The Dunwich Horror is anything to go by, you can’t go wrong with any of these books.

The book turns Lovecraft’s classics into a unique storybook that you’ll need to hold to appreciate. This is a massive book, it does not fit on your traditional shelf. It was designed to fit the story without compromising Baranger’s illustrations, and it works. The illustrations are beautiful and full of rich detail and imagination. I love the style and attention to detail. The way the scenes he chooses to illustrate and the way they interact with the narrative give this classic new life. I love seeing how art inspires art, and this book is a wonderful example of that.

The quality of the book is exceptional. The binding is great, and the work is printed on high-quality paper. I felt guilty flipping through the pages, even though the book is going to outlive me.

If you’re a fan of Lovecraft, the Baranger-illustrated versions are a wonderful addition to your collection. I recommend you get them all, but The Dunwich Horror is a good place to start. 

Impressions of the Story

I love H.P. Lovecraft’s clinical and calculated voice. The way he crafts his images describes the sleepy town and contrasts it against the peculiarity of this family creating this decaying image of society. You have this sleepy town of Dunwich that exists isolated outside of industrialized America. Despite the town existing in the middle of all this natural beauty, the isolation sets up the horror. Readers get the sense that whatever happens in Dunwich is inescapable because of how removed it is from the rest of the world. 

What’s more terrifying are these ancient evils that exist around mankind. All the institutions, science, and discoveries that have come into existence throughout are meaningless against the might of a single failed ritual. They are meaningless against the might of this other terrifying world. Ultimately, it’s these ancient magics that somehow have seeped into the world that save humanity for the time being, but the danger still exists, and next time it might be successful. 

I love how Lovecraft is able to create all this magic, world, and lore in such a small amount of space. The way he uses language, existing works of literature, and even dialect helps create such an authentic experience that the terror comes from the tale’s possibility. 

Mostly, I enjoyed the tragedy of The Dunwich Horror. You have a man who spends his whole life trying to complete this ritual, but he dies before he can see it through. You get a mother who only wants to love her child, but her child hates her and becomes a monster. You have Wilbur who spends his entire existence being hated. Whose only reason to live is to complete this ritual, but he’s never strong enough. Finally, you have the horror who spends his existence alone and in agony, spending his final moments calling for a father who is never there for it.

I liked the book, and am glad I got to read it. While the Baranger Illustrated copy is a fantastic way to enjoy this book, a copy from your local library is just as good. And for those who don’t have the time, the Audiobook on YouTube is fantastic and free!

Board Games and TCGs, Series Reviews

Lovecraft Classic The Dunwich Horror just got a beautiful update

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My full review is up

Free League Publishing has just released a copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror, and it looks amazing! The book is illustrated by François Baranger, and the images are terrifyingly beautiful. 

Synopsis

In the remote Massachusetts village of Dunwich, lost in the depths of the inhospitable countryside with its dark, bramble-covered valleys, ancient witch stories live on and strange underground noises sometimes echo beneath the hills topped by mysterious stone circles.

On an isolated farm in the area, the simple-minded Lavinia Whateley gives birth to a child, Wilbur, whose father is unknown. Old Whateley, Lavinia’s father, raises Wilbur with the distrust of the locals, who are frightened by the child’s rapid growth and repulsive face. Rumors of witchcraft have always circulated about old Whateley, and after his death, Wilbur, as an adult, seems determined to increase the ungodly knowledge that was passed to him.

To this end, he travels to Miskatonic University in Arkham to borrow the copy of the sinister Necronomicon that resides in its famous library. Professor Armitage, understanding the malicious intentions of his visitor, refuses to grant his request. Determined to get the book, Wilbur tries to break into the library at night, triggering a series of tragic events…

The Book

The book looks amazing, and I like the concept of bringing classic stories like these into the modern lens in such a cool format. I’ve never read any Lovecraft, but I appreciate the media it has inspired. I’ll be getting my copy over the weekend, and I am excited to start on a journey that I have been putting off for some time now. Stay tuned for that!

You can pick up your special copy of The Dunwich Horror, and other special illustrated versions of classic Lovecraftian stories from the official Free League Publishing site for $33.14 each. I’ll have to get my hands on it first, but this seems like a fantastic addition to the book shelf.

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Board Games and TCGs

The Electric State RPG Kickstarter fully funded after only 30 mins!

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The Electric State Roleplaying Game Kickstarter campaign just went live, and it was fully funded after only half an hour. That’s a fantastic sign for a beautifully illustrated RPG with an interesting concept. 

The year is 1997, and the world is on the brink of collapse. America faces its second civil war. People find escape through cheap VR headsets but become lost in the Electric State. Set off on an adventure through a war-torn countryside, and occasionally risk becoming lost yourself. The goal of this game isn’t the end but the journey you make. 

The Electric State Roleplaying Game is based on Simon Stålenhag’s art book of the same name. The art is beautiful, and if you are a fan of the art book, the RPG will feature never-before pieces from the same collection. There’s a movie in the works, which I hope is as awesome as this book looks. 

The game uses Free League Publishing’s Year Zero Engine, which I have been enjoying a lot. I love the flavor. What’s not to love about a post-apocalyptic 90’s aesthetic? If you like sci-fi and story-driven adventures, or what promises to be a very pretty rulebook, you’re going to want to look into this Kickstarter. The Kickstarter runs until December 20. People who are back during the first 24 hours of the campaign also get a bonus 216mm x 279mm print of the cover art for display. Backers of the Kickstarter will also get access to an alpha rulebook to get their journey started. 

If you don’t like physical media, the PDF is $24. You’ll get access to everything you need to get started instantly, and any of the early versions as well. 

If you want the book in your library, there are two levels you’ll need to consider. Both come with PDFs and all the stretch goals. $87 gets you the regular book, and $127 gets you a special edition only available to Kickstarter patrons. If you’re a fan of the art book or know this will be your main RPG for a while, there’s nothing wrong with paying a little extra for the special edition book. Whether you back or not, it’s worth at least looking at the project to appreciate its art. 

I’ll be reviewing the game as soon as I get a copy. Stay tuned for that. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. 

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Mech Horror TTRPG Eldritch Automata Coming to Kickstarter

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Eldritch Automata launches its campaign on Kickstarter on January 2nd, and it just might be the horror RPG you need at your table. Eldritch Automata uses the Year Zero Engine that combines anime, science fiction, and horror in what promises to be a frightening and memorable experience. I’ve gotten a taste of the Year Zero System through Dragonbane, and I’ve been enjoying it. It’s easy to learn, and unique enough to provide a memorable experience. Putting this into a world of Kaijus, mechs, and other abominations seems like a good time. 

Society has fallen. Eldritch Horrors and nightmarish Seraphs reign chaos over a dying world. Humanity’s only hope rests on the shoulders of pilots and their Automota, but this is no easy task. Pilots must brave the monsters that terrorize them and the demons that dwell inside them. Do you have the willpower and fortitude to be the hero the world needs, or will you be another resource in this game of survival? 

The game will be revealed at PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia happening this weekend. If you’re attending, make sure you hit up the Gehenna Gaming game room to try it for yourself or head over to their booth (3750) to ask them any questions. I have to see more before I buy into the system, but I am interested. I love that it will introduce mech combat, but the moral mechanic adds a level of complexity I am here for.

Make sure you add the Eldritch Automata Kickstarter to your watch list so you get notified the moment it goes live. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.  

Series Reviews

Silo: The fantastically suspenseful sci-fi mystery you should be watching, or at the very least reading.

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If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee

Silo is a fantastic sci-fi mystery full of suspense, action, and conspiracy. If you have an Apple TV subscription or need a reason to start one, check out this series.

Earth has become a toxic and uninhabitable wasteland. The few remaining survivors live now live in an underground silo where life, for the most part, is peaceful. Everyone in the silo serves their purpose, settling into a routine that is decided for them. Most don’t questions the silo’s designs or the founders’ motives. Some get curious and ask the questions that peel at the veil of this carefully crafted façade, but they don’t last long. There is something wrong with the silo. A secret too big to keep hidden forever. 

Juliet is a gifted mechanic who spends her days keeping the silo running. She does her job passionately and has never been curious about anything that isn’t mechanical. This all changes when she finds herself wrapped in the silo’s biggest conspiracy. Now Juliet finds herself searching for answers that will destabilize the peace in the silo. Will Juliet finally be the one to uncover the truth, or will she be silenced like all the rest?

Silo is a fantastic thriller with a well-crafted mystery, terrific acting, and a beautiful rustic aesthetic. Some actors aren’t great, and there is a bit of filler I would skip next time around, but the series left me wanting more. I started reading Wool, the book the series is based on, because I couldn’t wait a week for the answers. Once you binge this series in one sitting, I recommend you read the book or at least listen to it on Audible. It is a fantastic piece of science fiction. I’ll link some free copies of the audiobook below for those interested.

I enjoyed both versions almost equally. I loved the TV series because the actors did a great job portraying their characters, I enjoyed the attention to detail in the world and mannerisms, and I liked that the series felt more like a thriller. There are some suspenseful moments in the series that kept me at the edge of my seat even though I knew what was going to happen. I enjoyed the book because it felt more like a mystery. I felt like Juliet got more answers in the book. There are also details in the book that were left out that I felt were done better. I can’t tell you which version I enjoyed more, but I do recommend you dive into them both. 

If you haven’t seen this series yet, it is a great time to start it. It is a fantastic mystery set in a fascinating world led by a great protagonist. My only complaint is that I’ll have to wait for season 2 for more answers, but I guess I can read the books in the mean time. 

this version of the audiobook isn’t finished, but it does cover everything that happens in the series. It is also the better of the free version

This version isn’t as good, but you have both parts:

Board Games and TCGs

MÖRK BORG is back but this time its pirates! Check out the most metal TTRPG system coming to shelves this September.

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I enjoy looking into new RPG systems even though my play group only plays D&D. I like to see what else is out there because the burnout gets too real sometimes. Who knows? Maybe one day I can convince my playgroup to dip into something new for a campaign or two, and I’ll be ready with a backlog of options.

One of the systems I considered switching to was the Swedish RPG MÖRK BORG. MÖRK BORG is a ttrpg set in a post-apocalyptic world with a solid combat system and possibly the coolest rulebook you’ll ever own. If you haven’t seen the MÖRK BORG core rule book yet, look it up. It is beautiful. I almost bought into the system just so that I could flip through the pages and appreciate the art.

MÖRK BORG is getting a pirate-themed spin-off, and it looks just as good as the base game. PIRATE BORG introduces eight new playable classes, 80+ new monsters, an easy-to-learn naval combat system, and an adventure to get you started. This book has everything you’ll need to run a pirate campaign in a cool dark fantasy system worth exploring. I mean, who doesn’t want to play in a pirate campaign? Make sure you check out the official site if you’d like to try the game for free. The publishers have a rules reference sheet, character sheets, maps, and a character randomizer.

Preorders for PIRATE BORG are now live on the official site. The core book costs $36.84 plus shipping, which is a solid price for how good this book is going to look on your table. People who preorder also get immediate access to the book in PDF so you can start your Pirate adventure before the official release on September 19. Don’t forget to check out the rest of MÖRK BORG content while you’re at it!

Series Reviews

Series Review: Slow Horses (2022)

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Slow Horses is a spy thriller that you can stream on Apple TV that is based on the book of the same name. While I cannot speak on how good of an adaptation it is, I had a lot of fun with this show. Slow Horses has everything you want from a spy thriller. It is a show full of deception, double-crosses, gun fights, and a race against the clock. If you like the genre, this is a solid entry  

Slow Horses focuses on the disgraced agents of MI5 who are sent to Slow House. Most have come to terms with their punishment and wait out their sentence till they can retire. Some still hold on to the hope that they earn their redemption. Opportunity strikes when a young Asian British man is kidnapped by an extremist and racist group that plans to execute him publicly. The members of the slow house jump to the task as the race is on to find the young man alive. Will they save the day and earn their redemption, or will they remain a disgrace to the organization?  

This was a fun and enjoyable spy thriller. The acting is great, the story is interesting, and the pacing is perfect. While it does have some of the familiar spy thriller tropes, it is a unique enough story to keep things interesting. This is a team of imperfect misfits who are trying to prove themselves. They will make mistakes, but they will learn from them. As the series progresses, they slowly regain the spark they lost when they were sent to Slow House. This makes for an excellent redemption story, but also one with sufficient tension. 

Sometimes with spy thrillers, you get characters who cannot fail because they are too perfect. This makes the story boring because any adversity they face is easily overcome. It is nice to see a group of people fail and then scramble to overcome their failure as they race against the clock. It is what makes a good thriller, and I can only hope that future entries to the genre continue with this trend. 

Anyways, Slow Horses is a different but same kind of spy story, and you should watch it on Apple TV if you have a subscription.  

Gaming News and Review

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