Tag Archives: dark

video game reviews

First Impressions of Bygone Dreams: Prophecy’s Gameplay

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was asked to cover Bygone Dreams: Prophecy, which is the free to play demo of the games initial level. I understand the game is still a demo and will be a bit more lenient. That said, these will still be my honest opinions of the game.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

What is Bygone Dreams: Prophecy?

Bygone Dreams is a souls-like that is scheduled to release in June 2025. In preparation, the developers have released the game’s prologue to generate some hype around the game. My review will be on the prologue.

A terrible nightmare threatens the peace known to Lume. One spirit alone hears the call to action and rises against the encroaching darkness. As Wa, travel across Lume’s surreal landscape, solve its many puzzles, collect its many powers, and defeat anything that threatens its peace. Do you wield the power to save Lume from this nightmare?

Gameplay

The demo acts as a tutorial for the game. It introduces a few essential mechanics for combat and exploration, and players get to experience a bit of the story and world. If you’ve played a souls-like, this game doesn’t veer too much from the path. What makes the game unique is the colorful world players get to explore on the rail-road the devs designed for them.

Impressions

Bygone Dreams: Prophesy didn’t do enough to excite me for the full game. The game has an interesting artstyle, but world is far too busy. There is a lot crammed to fill the spaces that become the walls for a rail road. Having a built in track for players to follow isn’t an issue. I understand the limitations of a demo, and I’ve played games where it works. It works here, but everything is so busy it distracts from how unique the world is. I don’t mind invisible walls or railroads if the gameplay is fun.

I found the gameplay in the demo to be a bit lacking. I can see bones with potential, but the game needs a lot more polish to be fun. Combat doesn’t feel smooth enough when compared to other games in the genre, and it was often a little boring. Enemies all felt the same and offered nothing interesting, and the combos weren’t fun to watch. The full version might have the polished combat the game needs and the enemies to make it fun, but I need to see it to get excited. The whole time I played the demo, I wanted to be playing something else and that’s a problem.

In its current state, this is one of those games I’ll play and forget it exists. Unless the full game gets a major performance polish, I think it will be one of those games you forget too. I’ll be trying to get a copy of the full version for an update, so stay tuned for that. In the mean time, check out Bygone Dreams: Prophesy and see for your self.

video game reviews

Why You Should Try Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hell Now

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hell 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Juntunnslayer: Hordes of Hell?

Juntunnslayer is a roguelike bullet hell out now on Steam early access. There is also a demo available that you need to try out.

The hordes of hell have broken loose, and it is up to you to save the realm. Prove your worth as you fend off endless waves of enemies with your fighting prowess, and earn the blessings from the Gods that will carry you to victory. Do you have what it takes to keep the hordes of hell at bay?

Gameplay

All players load into a central hub where they can choose a load out and buy upgrades. Players can chose from a few available classes, but can unlock new perks, buffs, maps, and characters by completing challenges in game. Each map has unique objectives that must be cleared within the time limit, and any currency earned throughout a run can be used to upgrade a desired character. Players repeat this loop, slowly unlocking new challenges, difficulties, and maps to keep things fresh.

Combat can be as casual. Players have the options to allow the game to perform the various attacks automatically on a cool down, but there are settings that give players control over the aim and timing if they prefer a more hands-on experience. How good this system is really depends on a players preference. I loved the casual experience of auto casting while I maneuvered around the hordes of enemies.

During a level, players must complete quests to eventually summon the Jotunn before the timer runs out. During the run, players will unlock random buffs and abilities from either their class or different gods. The RNG is pretty fair, and each god and class has interesting and unique flavor.

Review

Juntunnslayer may still be in Early Access, but I recommend it to anyone looking for a cool new casual game to add to their collection. I love the viking aesthetic, and the attention to detail that went into the flavor and world building. Each class and god feels unique, and I had a lot of fun exploring every single combination the RNG presented me. The RNG in this game is fair. I never felt like a run was ruined because I didn’t have access to the right power-up and abilities, and I never got a load-out I didn’t like.

The game can feel a bit repetitive, but the game has enough unlockable content to earn its $8 price tag. Unlocking a new map, difficulty, or character gives players goals and creates a little variance. I like feeling more powerful as I unlock new nodes on a skill tree. I like trying out a new character and exploring different builds. And I love that I can explore different regions and earn harder difficulties. There are enough unlockables to keep the completion happy, and enough content for the casual who just want to play a fun game.

If you’re looking for a new game, pick up Jutunnnslayer: Hordes of Hell. This game is fun, looks great, runs well, and is Steam Deck compatible. You can pick it up on Steam for $9.99, but there is a free demo available if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Voidwrought is a Beautiful Game, but It didn’t Leave an Impression

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Voidwrought 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Voidwrought?

Voidwrought is a beautiful 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch

You have been tasked with collecting the blood of the gods. Fight your way through the depths and fend off against Eldritch horrors. Uncover secrets, learn new techniques, and find the playstyle that works best for you. How deep can you make it before the darkness consumes you? What secrets will you uncover?

Gameplay

Players crawl through a large 2D dungeon, fighting monsters and bosses and collecting resources. Players start with a limited selection of skills but can unlock more through exploration and an extensive skill tree. There is some freedom in how a player can approach this game, but there is an optimal build. At the end of the day, Voidwrought is just another Metroidvania. If you enjoy the genre, it might be worth considering.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

You can’t go wrong with Metroidvania games on the Steam Deck, and Voidwrought is no exception. Everyhthing looks good at native, and the game runs well enough. Whether or not it is worth getting depends on how much you enjoy the genre. Please read blow.

Review

Voidwrought is a beautiful game with a fantastic hand-drawn art style. Unfortunately, the game does little do leave an impression. It isn’t a bad game, but I am going to forget I ever played it.

My biggest issue with the game is with the performance. The game feels clunky. Combat and platforming look cool, but it isn’t as smooth as it needs to be. While the game demands a good amount of skill, I felt the difficulty came from the game’s lack of polish. It isn’t a bad game, but when compared to other games in the genre, it doesn’t do enough to set itself apart. Unless you love the genre and want to collect all of them, there is no real reason to choose Voidwrought over other better titles in the genre.

You can pick up Voidwrought on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $19.99, but I would wait for a sale.

Board Games and TCGs

The Lost Mountain Saga is a Fantastic and Dark Vaesen Mystery

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Vaesen: The Lost Mountain Saga 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 opinions of the campaign book.

What is Vaesen: The Lost Mountain Saga

The Lost Mountain Saga is a stand-alone mystery that you can run in any Vaesen campaign. Note that you will need access to the core rulebook if you want to run this adventure.

The northern Swedish city of Abisko used to be a prosperous mining town till the mines went dry. A recent gold rush has reopened the town for business, but not without events. There is something strange happening to the town, and it’s unclear what. Kids go missing in the night, livestock is slaughtered for no reason, and some people hear mysterious disembodied laughter. Fear is taking its hold, creating tension between its citizens. There is a witch hunt brewing, and The Society seems to be the only organization to help restore the peace to this sleepy mountain peace. Can your party find the truth before it is too late?

The Book

This book is printed in impeccable quality. It looks and feels like an old fairytale book. It has a textured hard cover and is printed on thick high-quality paper. Most importantly, the illustrations in this book are beautiful. The colors are vibrant and the art style is unique and thematic. You can always get the PDF version of this adventure, but the book is going to pop on any table.

Impressions

The Lost Mountain Saga is a valuable resource for the GM who needs a place to start or just wants to run a prewritten adventure. This book isn’t mandatory, but it is nice to have. This is a high-quality book with a solid adventure that will run great at any table. The book features a solid mystery with all the resources a GM needs to run it properly, provided they have a table for enthusiastic players to help bring the story to life.

The story is a little dark, as is expected from Vaesen, some trigger warnings may be required. The story is fine for my table, but the millage always varies. Make sure you always talk to your players.

The Lost Mountain Saga is a great resource for those who need it. If your looking for a new mystery to run for your next campaign, this is a good place to start.

You can pick up the book for $34.46 on Amazon, and the pdf for $19.99 on DriveThru RPG.

Board Games and TCGs

Vaesen is the Prettiest Mystery TTRPG You Need at Your Table

Leave a comment

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.

video game reviews

Deathbound is a Solid Soulslike for Your Collection

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Deathbound 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.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the SC3 Gaming Mixer for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Deathbound

Deathbound is a party-based soulslike coming to Deathbound releases on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG on August 8. Make sure you add Deathbound to your wishlist and join the official Discord.

Long ago, the Goddess of Life tricked the Goddess of Death, stealing her power and creating a race of immortal men. From these men, an advanced and powerful civilization Zieminal formed. For a while, the Zieminal thrived in their immortality. But the Goddess of Death did not sit idly by while her sister made a fool of her. Slowly, she seduced the Zieminal to give up their immortality. Her seduction worked, and the civilization crumbled overnight.

Centuries pass, and a new civilization rises from the wreckage, one hungry for the immortality they once had. A zealot group of scholars work tirelessly to perfect the ritual for immortality but at a terrible cost. You are a result of these experiments.

Awakened by strange forces, you find yourself as one conflicting soul in a body. Now you must fight your way through the city of Akratya discover the truth of your existence, and put an end to the heresy. What secrets will you uncover?

Gameplay

Deathbound plays like Dark Souls, but with a well-implemented and unique party system to spice things up. The game features the same attack, parry, dodge, and item mechanics to make even the most casual Souls’ fan comfortable. There is a campfire mechanic for rest and leveling, and players drop their experience when they die. The party mechanic is what keeps Deathbound from being a soulless clone.

Players have access to four characters with unique abilities and values that they can swap between freely. Party placement gives characters buffs and debuffs based on their personal beliefs. Each character has a unique set of combat skills and utility. Switching between characters is not only circumstantial but also an important combat mechanic. Players can switch to a character with higher hp to heal an injured one, or they can use the switch to trigger powerful attacks and combos. It gives combat its unique flavor, and it felt more engaging than the traditional soulslike.

I particularly liked how stamina was tied to health. stamina is the energy a character uses to perform his or her actions. Running, attacking, dodging, and blocking all use stamina. A character who runs out of stamina can’t perform an action. Characters have as much stamina as they do health. stamina refills over time, but a damaged character has access to a smaller pool of stamina. Health becomes the most important resource because it keeps a character alive and allows him to do stuff.

It wouldn’t be an RPG without a skill tree, and Deathbound has an expansive one. There is probably a right way to build, but I had fun building to my tastes. I felt like I had enough choices without the experience become overwhelming. Filling the skill tree is a grind, but it is expected for the genre.

Impressions

Deathbound is a fantastic soulslike with a solid story, amazing flavor, and a cool mechanic. I love its dark atmosphere, and the story was a good watch. Combat felt wonderful, but it is easier than Dark Souls. At least I found it a lot more forgiving, and that isn’t a bad thing.

Deathbound‘s combat system is so much fun. I am a huge fan of the party system, and the switching mechanic made for some satisfying combos. My only complaint is with the health/stamina system. I think the system is brilliant, but there is one annoying issue. Sometimes, an enemy will push you into a crate, wall, or other artifact. There isn’t enough room to perform actions either because your weapon gets stuck on a wall or the enemy keeps pushing you into it, and then you run out of stamina to attempt your escape. It didn’t happen often, but it happened enough to be worth mentioning.

Aside from that, the game is a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a casual soulslike with unique flavor, you’re going to want Deathbound. Deathbound releases on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG on August 8, so make sure its on your wishlist!

video game reviews

If you like Escape Rooms, You Need to Download this Demo!

1 Comment

The Escape Tales: The Awakening demo is officially on Steam, and I recommend you pick it up if you enjoy puzzles, escape rooms, or the board game it is based on. Full disclosure, I was asked to cover the demo, but these will be my honest impressions.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the SC3 Gaming Mixer for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Escape Tales: The Awakening

Escape Tales is a series of escape room board games. Bluekey Games has taken it upon themselves to turn the popular series into a video game. Players must solve puzzles to progress through a story where their choices matter.

You play as Sam who has lost his wife is on the verge of losing his daughter. His daughter has fallen into a mysterious coma without a cure in sight. A man gives him “The Book of Rituals”. Desperate for a solution, Sam embarks on the most frightening night of his life as he has to solve puzzles and face off against dark forces. Will he be able to get his little girl back, or will they both become lost to the darkness?

Gameplay

The demo has you clearing the first room of the story. It is a short demo. If you’re good at puzzles, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. Players receive a solid hook to the story and must gather clues to solve the room. The game is a giant point-and-click puzzle game with no time limit. I appreciate that there is no time limit because it allows me to enjoy the game at my own pace. The game boasts having multiple answers, endings, and choices that matter. That is yet to be seen, but it is an exciting feature if done correctly.

The puzzle is hard, and creative, but manageable if you’re paying attention. The game is very generous with clues and will offer solutions if you get stuck. People who do a lot of escape rooms shouldn’t have a problem with the puzzle, but it’s nice to have for some of the less obvious solutions.

The game features tools to help them on their journey. Players can use the on-screen notepad to jot down notes or use their mouse to write over the puzzle. I know some people will prefer the feel of pencil and paper, but this is a great feature for those who like to have everything in one place.

Impressions

I know I’ve only played the demo, but I am already addicted. The flavor is great, the puzzles are challenging, and the story is interesting. My only complaint is that one of the puzzles was hard to make out. It might have been a personal issue, but I felt like the image was a bit too blurry, other than that, the game feels like it is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to try out the whole game. Stay tuned for that.

If you like puzzle games, love escape rooms, or enjoy the board game series, you need to try this demo. It offers a solid taste of what to expect and will leave you wanting more. You can download the Escape Tales: The Awakening demo now on Steam.

video game reviews

Noreya: The Gold Project is a Solid Metroidvania

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Noreya: The Gold Project 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset and the AM8 Streaming Microphone if you are looking for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Noreya: The Gold Project?

Noreya: The Gold Project is a 2D-pixel art dark fantasy Metroidvania game out now on PC.

Salluste, the God of Avarice, has taken over the city of Lemia and imprisoned the Goddess of Light. Once a glowing city, Lemia now stands as a twisted and tortured version of itself. Its inhabitants, smitten by greed, have sold themselves to Salluste and now roam the city as twisted shadowy creatures. Kali, with nothing left to lose, travels to Lemia in search of answers.

Travel through the City of Gold, battle creatures of shadow and gold, and pledge your allegiance to the god of your choice. Where will your devotion take you?

Gameplay

Noreya is your typical 2D action platformer. What makes this game unique is that you can use the gold you collect to heal at any time, and the god you devote yourself to controls your narrative. Choices do matter in this game, which may give the game replayability if you become invested enough in the story.

I am terrible at platforming, but found it very manageable in this game. Enemies are cool, but they will get repetitive. The game will spice things up with special events and boss fights. Special events change the flow of the game. In one instance, a giant snake chases Kali through the map, and it is up to you to navigate through the city and find her sanctuary. Boss fights are creative, but not unrelenting. I didn’t feel like I ever needed a guide to beat the bosses, I just needed to be better. That said, this game feels like a very casual entry to the genre, perfect for those newbies trying to find their start in the genre.

Combat feels fine, but I found the skill tree customization limiting compared to other titles. The skill tree can only be accessed at shrines throughout the city. Players can buy levels of their skill tree with gold at shrines around the city. The skill tree is expansive and gives players the freedom to build toward their play style. I don’t think the build matters in normal mode. I built towards what I thought would be fun and never felt I needed a guide. However, harder difficulties and speed runs will probably need a more efficient build.

Impressions

I like Noreya: The Gold Project. I love the art, the mechanics are manageable, and the flavor is neat. Choosing between Light and gold and the god you worship is a very cool idea. That said, Noreya isn’t the best Metroidvania on the market. After a while, it starts to feel stale. While I enjoyed the environment and music of each level, it started to feel repetitive. I understand repetition is somewhat expected, but the more I played, the less I wanted to keep playing. There just wasn’t enough to hold my attention.

Noreya isn’t a bad game. The game runs fine and has a few good moments, but you have better options. If you’re looking for a new Metroidvania game to add to your rotation, Noreya: The Gold Project is a solid choice, but I would wait for a sale.

You can pick up Noreya: The Gold Project on Steam for $24.99.

Board Games and TCGs

Building Better Worlds is a Nifty Little Expansion: Alien RPG

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of the Building Better Worlds expansion for the Alien Roleplaying Game to review for my blog. I haven’t had a chance to run the system yet, but I have read through the books. This will be my honest impressions. If you’re thinking of running Alien RPG at your table, you need to start with the core rulebook, Building Better Worlds is meant to be a supplement. I have detailed write-ups for the core rulebook and the Heart of Darkness module you should also check out. 

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

The Book

Quality

Free League Publishing continues its streak of high-quality rulebooks with this beautifully printed expansion. While the pdf won’t be printer-friendly, fans new and old of the Alien franchise will appreciate the beautiful artwork that lines its pages. Even if you don’t like physical media, you might want to make an exception. Feeling the pages between your fingers, and smelling that new book smell makes the experience hit different. Don’t get me wrong, the PDF is enough, but if you have space on your shelf, the book is pretty sweet.

What is it?

Building Better Worlds is meant to be an aid for the Game Mother who needs it. The book includes:

  • Rules for Colonization
  • New Feats and Personal Agendas for existing classes
  • Two new classes: Entertainer and Wildcatter
  • New Weapons
  • New Vehicles and Ships
  • New Planets and Systems
  • New Aliens to fear
  • 7 Expeditions to run
  • Lots of flavor and backstory. 

If you need ideas on what to run, new creatures to fill your adventures, or gear for your players, you might want to look into this expansion. It is by no means a necessity, but it is a great resource. 

Impressions

I didn’t have much interest in the Alien universe prior to picking up the RPG. It wasn’t until I started reading the lore and timeline that I decided that I needed a better understanding. I’ve started making my way through the novels and movies, and it’s given me a better appreciation for how much flavor and care is put into these books.

I appreciate that the book includes timelines of important dates because it makes it easier to keep track of everything that is going on. If you don’t know anything about the alien universe, you will before you run your session zero. The book does a great job of laying out the lore and history in a way that makes sense but also fits its dark sci-fi theme. It gets deep, and I would almost recommend it as reading material.

If you need something to spice up your next campaign, the monsters in this book are pretty spicy. There are some brutal creatures that can end an adventure. I don’t think my playgroup would care too much about the colony mechanics, but the expeditions seem fun and there are some vehicles and weapons I’m sure they’ll want to work towards.

If you’re looking for a brutal and unforgiving system to run at your table, you run Alien RPG. If you need ideas for your next campaign, Building Better Worlds seems like a nifty little expansion.

Board Games and TCGs

Coriolis: The Great Dark Quickstart Guide is out!

Leave a comment

There are only ten days left on the Coriolis: The Great Dark Kickstarter, so go back the campaign if you are looking for a lore-rich, dark sci-fi adventure to run at your table. The campaign only has one stretch goal left, which means backers are receiving a nice amount of goodies. If you like physical media, it is your only chance to score a pretty special edition version of the rulebook. 

Since my last post, the publisher has released a free quickstart guide on DriveThru RPG to give people a chance to explore the system without any of the commitments. The quickstart guide includes a more streamlined and condensed version of the rules, but it will include everything you need to run a meaningful oneshot. It includes some of the rules, a pre-written adventure, and pre-generated characters. I did notice some grammar issues, but the game isn’t out yet and this isn’t the final version. I’ll leave copies of the PDF here, but you can always get them on DriveThru RPG. 

The Mission

A prospecting expedition has gone awry. The blight has taken its victims, and only one survivor made it back to Astroid City. The Explorer’s Guild will now send its best crew into the depths of Gilen’s point to retrieve any survivors and extract any valuable artifacts. But this mission is not without its typical dangers. The shady criminal organization, Black Toad, also has its sights on the contents of Gilen’s point and will do anything to get there first. Can the explorers survive another day in the depths of the Great Dark, or will they be another casualty the unforgiving void of space?

Impressions

Coriolis: The Great Dark uses the Year Zero system. If you’ve played any game that runs Year Zero before, you know how to play Coriolis. There are some shifts in mechanics for flavor, but most of it will feel familiar. If you haven’t played any game in the system, Year Zero is incredibly easy to learn. The system uses D6es and you pass checks when you roll a 6. 

What makes Coriolis unique is its lore and flavor. Coriolis is a neat story about space settlers trying to find their place in the universe. It the Great Dark is a sequel, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have played the original to understand what was going on. There are some references, but the guide does a good job at explaining everything you need to get started. I assume the full version will as well. 

Coriolis: The Great Dark features neat mechanics that help foster this sense of surviving in this unknown and unforgiving ancient place in space but also fuels a sense of wonder and exploration. It’s a neat concept that I would love to see a more complete version, but the quickstart gives a solid snapshot. 

I haven’t had a chance to run through the quickstart, but it seems like a solid adventure. It comes with maps, handouts, and pre-generated characters to get you started. It is an incomplete version of the game, but it should provide you and your table with a solid understanding of what to expect. Ultimately, if you’re thinking of running Coriolis: The Great Dark, or are looking for a new Sci-Fi TTRPG to run at your table, you should start with the quickstart guide and move from there. It’s a good idea to check if the system is a good fit for your table. If you end up liking it, go back the Kickstarter! 

I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, I can’t wait to see more. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Quickstart Guide

Coriolis_The_Great_Dark_Quickstart_v1.1Download

Pregenerated Characters

CtGD_QS_Pregenerated_Characters_PFDownload