Tag Archives: horror

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Check out the Shadow Over Gloomshire Kickstarter – Dragonbane

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Update: Yon can now preorder the book if you missed the kickstarter.

I’ve been running my Dragonbane campaign for a couple of months now, and have been impressed with the system. With my campaign coming to a close, I’ve written a more detailed review that you should read if you want to know more about the system.

As I was prepared to move on to a different system, I came across an interesting Kickstarter Dragonbane adventure: Shadow Over Gloomshire. The campaign is fully funded, and with ten days left on the campaign, I thought it deserved more exposure. 

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

What is Shadow Over Gloomshire?

Shadow Over Gloomshire is a Gothic horror prewritten adventure for Dragonbane. It features unique hand drawn art, maps, and it introduces 2 new classes: Paladin and Monster Hunter. There are also role tables, a new location, and descriptions to help get things moving.

Two new professions. Work in progress

I’d love to play a malard kin paladin or a wolf kin monster hunter.

The temple. Once a place of worship, now home to twisted evil. Work in progress

You find yourself stranded in the remote village of Gloomshire. It’s a haunting place full of strange and frightening dangers lurking in the shadows. Travel through a haunted forest, investigate a creepy mansion, and embark on a spooky adventure I’m sure you’ll never forget.

Minerva, Cleric of Light. By FukamiHB
Stygian wolf by John Bilodeau
Demonic artifacts by Melker Holmgren

Impressions

If you like gothic horror, it definitely seems like it has the right flavor. I am a huge fan of the artwork, and for $11, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal. There is always a risk in backing Kickstarters, but Robin Fjärem has a few other projects under his belt, so it seems pretty reputable.

You can pick up a copy of the Shadow Over Gloomshire adventure PDF for $11, or a booklet and PDF for $20 which isn’t bad for an adventure.

I like running my own adventures, but it’s always nice to take a break and build off what other people have come up with. We always end up going off script, but it is always nice to have things like role tables, encounters, and loot at the ready. I think its a pretty cool project, but go check the Shadow Over Gloomshire Kickstarter and see for yourself!

video game reviews

Experience the Spooky VR Narrative of Titanic: A Space Between

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I was sent Titanic: A Space Between for free 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, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

If you’re looking for accessories for your VR headset, like magnetic prescription lenses or a high-quality charging cable, get it at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE for 15% off.

What is Titanic: A Space Between?

Titanic: A Space Between is a horror VR game playable on Steam VR, Pico, and the Meta Quest 2 and 3. Play as a time traveler investigating the disappearance of a woman named Diana on the famous ship as it sinks. Solve puzzles, follow clues, and survive the most famous shipwreck in history. But there is something strange that lurks in this past. Can you solve the mystery and make it back to your own time alive?

Gameplay

This is an exploration horror game where players move through the narrative by searching for clues and solving puzzles as the ship sinks. The version I received is still in development, and was still a bit too unstable to be enjoyable.

Thoughts

The game isn’t done and this puts me in an awkward position. On the one hand, the concept is interesting, and I am invested in finding out what happened to Diana. On the other, the build of the game I received is unplayable. 

The game is buggy, and a few of the games broke the game. I tried to record a video, but that made the game more unstable. I got to a point in the game where I wasn’t able to advance because the mechanics didn’t work and I didn’t want to start over. I am willing to excuse bugs and glitches, but here it felt like I was fighting with the game more than I was enjoying it. 

Poor performance aside, Titanic: A Space Between is a cool concept for a game. It has an interesting story, it looks good, the voice acting is fantastic, and I love the flavor. The game also has some solid horror baked throughout. With a few more patches, I can see myself returning because I want to know what happened to Diana, but in its current state, I can’t recommend it. 

The game releases on the Meta App Lab on February 13th, pick it up then if you’re looking for a spooky Titanic adventure and don’t mind playing through the bugs. 

video game reviews

Eresys: The Spooky Lovecraft Horror Game that just wasn’t fun

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I was sent Eresys for free 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, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Eresys

Eresys is a Lovecraftian horror survival game out now on PC. Team up with friends, or brave it alone as you collect clues while a horror hunts you. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

There are three different hunts currently available in this game, but one hunt is basically unplayable. The game does very little hand-holding and throws the players into the fray without much guidance, or a tutorial. It is up to the player to read through the comprehensive guide made available from the start. Players spend the hunt sneaking around, looking for magical pages, and avoiding the horror. If the horror catches you, it’s game over unless you have friends to revive you. I never did, so it meant I needed to restart a lot. The game runs great, but I felt like the AI was a bit unfair. It always knew where I was, no matter what I did.

Thoughts

This game looks so good. I love the aesthetic, the environment is spooky, and I like the art style. Eresys has the bones of a solid horror game, but the game isn’t fun. I felt like no matter what I did, I couldn’t win. The AI felt unfairly omnipotent, and the few times I was able to survive for longer, it felt like I was wandering aimlessly. The game has seen some improvement, and it looks like it will continue to get more, but I don’t have it in me to wait for a better version. 

If you love the Lovecraftian aesthetic and don’t mind the roughness of the game, you might have a better time with this title. Otherwise, I can’t recommend this game. It’s not the worst game I’ve ever played, but I just don’t see it being worth the trouble. 

Eresys is available now on Steam for $8.99, but I’d at least wait for a sale. 

video game reviews

You Should Play Killer Frequency!

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I was sent Killer Frequency for free to review for my blog. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Killer Frequency?

Killer Frequency is a horror puzzle game out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Meta Quest. This review is on the non-VR steam version.

Infamous serial killer, the Whistling Man, has returned to terrorize the sleepy town of Gallows Creek. With emergency services down, it is up to one late-night radio host, DJ Forrest Nash, to keep the town safe from the sadistic murder. Forrest must now host the most important show of his life as he plays music, answers calls, collects clues, and uses the power of radio to keep people safe. Can he survive the shift without incident?

Gameplay

As the midnight DJ, you will have to play music, run paid ads, and take calls. Victims will call into the show asking for help, and it is a player’s job to guide them out of danger from the radio station. During this time, you’ll get to explore the station to search for clues to solve the puzzles. You can fail these puzzles and get people killed, but you can always save before an important call and rerun it if you want to save everyone. I let people die because I wanted to live with my mistakes.

Thoughts

Killer Frequency is a fantastic concept for a puzzle game. It has terrific flavor, a fun soundtrack, fantastic voice acting, and interesting puzzles. The tone is a bit on the silly side, but that doesn’t stop it from becoming intense. The voice acting and timers do a great job of creating enough tension to make this game feel like a horror game, without it being scary or gruesome. 

I loved the puzzles in this game. They are creative and fun. I found them hard enough to keep me engaged, but never so difficult to where they became impossible. Even if you don’t like puzzle games, I recommend you try Killer Frequency for its unique take on the genre. 

Aside from a few missing voice lines, the game played great. Exploration felt good, the world they created was fun and quirky, and the voice acting was fantastic. The voice acting in this game goes out of its way to not only create an authentic late-night radio experience but also fill the world of Gallows Creek with unique and memorable characters. 

One thing to consider before making your purchase is that this game feels like a visual novel. There is some exploration, but most of the gameplay exists within calls and conversations with the producer. You’re either sitting through playful banter or on a call, answering and asking questions to solve a puzzle. This means that a lot of the time you are looking at the inside of the DJ booth. I loved it because I could sit back and listen to the narrative, but it is something to consider. 

Conclusion

Killer Frequency is a fantastic puzzle game, and has easily become one of my favorites. I love the flavor, the concept, and the story. If you are looking for a relaxing puzzle game to sink some time into, check out Killer Frequency on Steam. You can pick it up for $24.99 on

Killer Frequency is a horror puzzle game out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Meta Quest.

Board Games and TCGs

Building Better Worlds Expansion for Alien RPG is out now!

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The Building Better Worlds expansion for the Alien RPG just released, and you might want to pick it up for the colony mechanics. You will need the core rulebook to use this resource, so either the Core Rulebook ($54.08) or the Starter Set ($51.22) should be enough to get you started. 

Starter set doesn’t include GM Screen

The Starter set has everything you need to get you started:

  • 5 generated character sheets
  • prewritten adventure
  • 84 game makers to keep track of characters, motions, and more
  • 54 custom cards for weapons, personal agenda, and initiative
  • 10 specially designed base dice
  • 10 specially designed stress dice
  • 864x558mm double-sided map

You do get a condensed version of the rules, but this should be perfect for new players. If you want to create your own adventure, I recommend you pick up the core rulebook! You get a pdf version for either physical copy.

Thoughts on the Expansion

Building Better Worlds is a neat resource for GMS who need a little extra help to spice up their next Alien campaign. I typically like to make up my adventure, even when working from a book, but I appreciate being able to fall back on other people’s ideas from time to time. This book has some neat ideas I definitely want to try at my table, like having my players become stranded on a prison planet of deranged criminals and Xenomorphs. 

The book introduces new ships, NPCs, planets, solar systems, and weapons to help aid GMs with flavor and world-building. It includes several plot hoots, ideas on how to run certain planets or colonies, and even a campaign players can run through if they need a jumping-off point. Most importantly, the book introduces the colony mechanic.

From my brief understanding, players will need to travel to foreign planets and either start, maintain or save a colony for humanity’s expansion into the cosmos. This won’t be an easy task. Planets are inhospitable, conditions are unpredictable, and there are bloodthirsty aliens lurking in the shadows. In space, if the stress of survival doesn’t kill you, the Xenos will. This sounds like the perfect bleek setting for any table that needs a change of pace, and I am here for it. 

Where to Buy

Remember, you need access to the core rules before picking up this expansion. Those interested in the Building Better Worlds expansion can get their hardcover copy from the official Free League Publishing website for $45.51. Those who don’t care about physical media can pick up the PDF on DriveThruRPG for $19.99. If you play online, I recommend picking up the official Building Better Worlds module for Foundry VTT. I’ve written a post explaining why you should use Foundry VTT if you want to know more.

I do plan on running Alien RPG at some point after Dragonbane. I have a huge collection of RPGs I need to get through, and I like to take my time and live in them for a bit. Until then, stay tuned! If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow and share this with your friends.

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Alchemy VTT Hosts Free Seminars for the Horror TTRPG, Vaesen!

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The team at Alchemy VTT is holding 1-hour workshops to teach players how to play Vaesen. Alchemy VTT aims to create an immersive experience that is easy to use and even easier to stream to your favorite platform. With features like integrated video chat, automated NPCs, and animated spells and effects, Alchemy VTT is sure to be a spectacular hit at some tables. You will need to buy your content and pay a subscription for added features, but it might be worth it for the experience it provides.

The seminar will feature the official Vaesen module for Alchemy VTT. The team will go over how to get started with game and character creation, and showing off some of the immersive gameplay Alchemy is capable of. If you are interested in checking out Vaesen or Alchemy VTT, make sure you sign up for one of the available time slots. (As of writing this)

DATETIME
12/27/20236 AM
12/28/202310 AM
1/2/20242 PM

I was sent a book to review before this announcement, so I’ll be joining the seminar for the free overview. I also don’t mind looking into a new VTT. The trailer made it look like such a neat experience, especially with all the integrated features.

The event is free to join, all you need is an Alchemy VTT account and you must join the official discord. It is really cool to see a VTT work closely with developers to not only create a catered experience for their players, but to also onboard new ones. So if you have an hour to spare and want to check out a new game, make sure you check out the seminar! Seats are filling up fast!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

What is Vaesen

In dark forests, beyond the mountains, by black lakes in hidden groves. At your doorstep. In the shadows, something stirs. Strange beings. Twisted creatures, lurking at the edge of vision. Watching. Waiting. Unseen by most, but not by you. You see them for what they really are. Vaesen.

Welcome to the Mythic North – northern Europe of the nineteenth century, but not as we know it today. A land where the myths are real. A cold reach covered by vast forests, its few cities lonely beacons of industry and enlightenment – a new civilization dawning. But in the countryside, the old ways still hold sway. There, people know what lurks in the dark.

They know to fear it.

– From the Free League Publishing website

Vaesen is a horror RPG where players solve supernatural mysteries. The art is beautiful, and the flavor is fantastic. I’ll need to run a few games in the system to judge it even further, but it has my attention. The core book will have everything you need to get started, like the rules, pre-generated characters, and a prewritten mystery. If Vaesen appeals to you, make some time to join in on the seminar.

Where to Buy

You can pick up the core book from the official Free League Publishing website ($52.91 + shipping). You also get access to the PDF so you won’t have to wait to get started. The core book is also available on Amazon ($64 book only) and DrivethruRPG ($24.99 pdf only).

The Core Rule book includes:

  • Ten ready to use archetypes let you create a character in minutes – or use the included life path tables and let the dice decide.
  • Quick and flavorful rules for combat, investigations and horror.
  • Rules for developing the player characters’ headquarters during campaign play.
  • A detailed gazetteer of the Mythic North setting and the town of Upsala.
  • A score of bloodcurdling vaesen to encounter, all beautifully illustrated by Johan Egerkrans.
  • An introductory Mystery called The Dance of Dreams.
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, gaming news

Alien: The Roleplaying Game is getting its newest adveture

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Free League Publishing releases their Building Better Worlds module for their award-winning Alien: The Roleplaying Game on January 16th. You can preorder your copy of Building Better Worlds ($46.03) from the official shop today. 

Build Better Worlds is the RPG’s second story module. It promises a new action pact adventure as players explore uncharted loss worlds and face never-before-seen Xenomorphic creatures. The module introduces new gear, ships, and character options to freshen up your next campaign. 

Building Better Worlds is only an expansion. You’ll need to core the rule book in either physical or digital format to play the game. Keep in mind that buying any of the physical copies gives you instant access to the PDF version. You can pick up copies of the Core Rulebook ($54.70), Starter Set ($51.81), or any other expansions on the official Free League Publishing website.

I got an early copy of the book, and it looks amazing. I am always amazed at how full of authentic flavor these movie-themed games always turn out to be. I haven’t had a chance to play this game but will review it as soon as I can. Probably after all my Dragonbane content. Until then, if you’re a fan of the Alien franchise, or simply looking for a horror RPG to bring to your table, you should definitely look into Alien: The Roleplaying Game. Don’t forget to preorder your copy of Building Better Worlds while you’re at it. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you 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.  

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Can you survive The Walking Dead Universe in this new TTRPG?

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If you like survival horror, zombies, The Walking Dead, or simply looking for a new system, check out The Walking Dead RPG. This officially licensed product puts players in the stressful post-apocalyptic world based on the popular series where the goal is survival, but there is no winning.

There are two ways to play the game: Campaign Mode and Survival Mode. Campaign Mode is played over a longer period of time. Choices the players make matter, and the table works together to create a communal narrative. Survival Mode features dangerous situations players need to overcome, like one-shots. However you choose to play it, the experience promises to be intense.

The Walking Dead RPG is up on the official Free League Publishing site and in hobby stores across the world. You can also pick up digital copies from DriveThruRPG or the official module for Foundry VTT. I’ll list prices and links below.

The art in this book is beautiful, and the system seems interesting. I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy and will post my review as soon as possible. I have to get through all my Dragonbane content first. Stay tuned for that.

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Physical Release

Core Rules ($47.96)

The Walking Dead RPG Core Rules book also get a copy of the PDF so you can get started while you wait for your copy.

Starter Set ($42.18)

The Walking Dead RPG starter set includes:

  • A 40-page condensed rulebook. The game rules are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, but further developed and uniquely tailored for The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game.
  • The 16-page booklet The Wolves’ Den – presenting the first full‑length survival mode scenario for the game.
  • Six pre-generated characters to play.
  • Carol, Gabriel, Glenn and Michonne from the TV series as playable pre-generated characters.
  • A double-sided area map in format 558 mm × 432 mm, depicting an area north of Atlanta, Georgia, and a region in Virginia.
  • Three adventure maps in format 432 mm × 279 mm, showing locations in The Wolves’ Den scenario.
  • Ten custom Base Dice and as many Stress Dice, specifically designed for the game.
  • A Threat Meter, to keep track of the threat from walkers in the surroundings.

The Bundle ($116.90)

The Walking Dead RPG Bundle is currently on sale for $96.10 as of writing this post. I am not sure when the sale ends. The Bundle includes:

  • The full-color hardback Core Rulebook.
  • The boxed Starter Set.
  • A deluxe Game Master’s Screen in landscape format.

Digital

If you play online but want the book for your collection, make sure you use the discount codes TWDStarterVTTBundle or TWDCoreVTTBundle at checkout for 60% off the corresponding module when you buy both physical and digital versions.

Foundry VTT Module – Core Rules ($26.77)

The Core Rules Foundry VTT module includes:

  • 112 Actors.
  • 78 Journal Entries.
  • 175 Items.
  • 114 Rollable Tables.
  • 3 Scenes.
  • 45 Macros.
  • The Rules

Foundry VTT Module – Starter Set ($26.77)

The starter set Foundry VTT module includes:

  • Condensed rules. The game rules are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, but further developed and uniquely tailored for The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game.
  • The Wolves’ Den – presenting the first full‑length survival mode scenario for the game.
  • Six pre-generated characters to play.
  • Carol, Gabriel, Glenn and Michonne from the TV series as playable pre-generated characters.
  • Maps depicting an area north of Atlanta, Georgia, and a region in Virginia.
  • Three adventure maps showing locations in The Wolves’ Den scenario.
  • 23 Actors.
  • 40 Journal Entries
  • 101 Items.
  • 14 Rollable Tables.
  • 5 Scenes.
  • 4 Macros.