Tag Archives: survival

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.

video game reviews

New Cycle: The Survival Village Builder You Should Consider

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I was sent New Cycle for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. These will be my honest impressions 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.

New Cycle is a survival village builder coming to early access to Steam on January 18. Because the game will be in early access, this will just be my initial impression of the game. I’ll revisit and review the game when they release 1.0. 

Concept

A solar flare has destroyed society as we once knew it, sending the world into post-apocalyptic chaos. Those who remain must now build a new society from the wreckage of the old. This won’t be an easy task. Resources are limited, illnesses are rampant, nature is unrelenting, and morale is low. Can you usher your people into a new age, and rebuild society to its former glory?

Aesthetic and Performance

For an Early Access game, New Cycle runs fine. It still needs a bit of polish, but the game never crashed on me. The Aesthetic is a little dark, but I enjoy the sepia color scheme. It makes the game feel a lot more gritty and bleak.

Game Modes

The game offers most of its content through its game modes. You can enjoy the freedom of Sandbox, Manage a built city ravaged by a mysterious illness, or you can start from scratch in a campaign. The campaign has a few maps you can start from that affect gameplay. For example, you can start on a mountain where you have access to better mining but don’t have less food to work with. I love the work that went into the flavor. At the moment, the game has enough content to keep players busy till the full release.

Gameplay

Thoughts

New Cycle is the most technical village builder I’ve ever played, which isn’t a bad thing. At its core, it shares a lot of the core elements of other games in the genre. This game isn’t any more difficult to learn, but it is a bit more difficult to master. Where in other games I would sit back and watch my villagers live their lives, New Cyle had me worrying about all the elements that could end my civilization. 

Just like any survival game, you need to worry about resources, hunger, morale, and the elements. This is a game where you have to be very careful about your efficiency because random events will set back your progress. There was a game where I ran out of food and my buildings got struck by lightning, and I had to start over because I planned poorly. I still recommend you go in blindly and learn from your mistakes, but having a guide handy doesn’t hurt. 

Conclusion

This game isn’t going to be for everyone. The survival mechanics will turn away the more casual village builder fans. That said, the game is doing a good job of combining the survival and village builder genres. If you’re a technical person who enjoys the economics of survival but doesn’t mind the roughness of Early Access, you might want to look into New Cycle. To be clear, this isn’t a daunting technical game that requires good notes and a Ph.D., but it is less casual than the other games in the genre. I liked it, and can’t wait to see where they take it. Don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist!

Trailer

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. 

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video game reviews

Skybreakers is fine for what it is

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I was sent Skybreakers for free as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

Skybreakers is an action-packed roguelike available now on Steam. It has cool flavor, cooler art, and a solid gameplay loop. Players must survive against waves of enemies and the occasional boss. There is a story, but you’re mainly playing this game for the combat. 

Players have access to four playable heroes, three of which need to be unlocked. Each character has its unique flavor and playstyle, and I enjoyed them all. Some of them need a few upgrades before they get fun, but I have no overwhelming complaints. Between each round, players can purchase upgrades with resources they earn throughout the round. These upgrades are determined by RNG, but I felt that the RNG is fair. The top-down style makes the game feel like a MOBA but with a focus on combat. Combat is simplified to movement, a basic attack, a special attack, and whatever effects you pick up along the run. 

Skybreakers gets busy with its effects, but it never gets overwhelming or confusing. As simple as this game may seem, there is still some thought involved when it comes to upgrading a hero and moving them through combat. You won’t need to look up guides or keep a notebook, but it won’t be mindless either. 

I enjoyed Skybreakers, but it definitely isn’t something that I can play for too long. While the game is fun, combat gets repetitive after a couple of runs. The RNG heroes give the game some replayability, but they aren’t enough to make this anybody’s main game. You’ll get $9 of fun from this game, shelve it, and either forget you own it or pull it out when you need it. If you’re looking for something simple and fun that doesn’t require much commitment, Skybreakers is a solid choice. 

You can pick up Skybreakers on Steam for $8.99.

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.
Board Games and TCGs

Survive the Zombie Apocalypse in The Walking Dead RPG

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The Walking Dead RPG is coming on November 28, just in time for some holiday-themed horror survival. Free League Publishing has teamed up with AMC to create an authentic zombie survival experience. Fans of the show can rejoice to experience an RPG campaign with familiar characters and flavor. 

The flavor of this tabletop is fantastic. Unlike your normal RPG, there is no end goal or final boss. Players of this game must work together to survive by any means, and people will die. It has interesting mechanics that will make survival stressful like the limited resources and the will to go on. On top of trying to survive, players will need to worry about the endless supply of zombies and the occasional traitor in the group. It all just sounds like a stressful good time.

There are two ways to play The Walking Dead RPG: Campaign Mode and Survival Mode. Campaign Mode should be self-explanatory. The goal is to come together to create a story. While there may be no winning in this tabletop, the story you tell will be memorable. You can either run the prewritten adventure included in the book where you play as characters from the series or set the stage for your own unique tale of survival. Survival Mode sounds more like small palatable oneshots where the goal is to overcome a singular dangerous situation. There are rules for solo play for those of you who want to experience this world, but don’t have the playgroup to do so. 

For those of you who enjoy physical media, you are going to want to pick up the starter set. The starter set has everything you need to get you started. It comes with:

  1.  five pre-generated characters based on the TV show
  2. full-color maps
  3. themed base and stress dice tailored for the game mechanics
  4. the core rule book
  5. a prewritten adventure to run

You’ll also have access to the PDF version, so you don’t have to wait for the book to ship to survive. Even if you aren’t a fan of the series, the art in this book is very cool to look at. You are going to want this on your shelf. But if you are a minimalist or don’t have the space, all you need is a PDF of the core rules and a few six-sided dice. 

I am very fortunate to be sent a copy of this RPG to review, and can’t wait to dive in. I briefly flipped through the book and liked what I saw. The art is cool, the classes are interesting and flavorful, and the mechanics seem easy to pick up. I am not a fan of the TV series, but I am a fan of the comic, so I am ready for some hot zombie action. Stay tuned for the full review. 

The Walking Dead RPG releases on November 28. No price or listings are available at the moment, but I’d keep a close eye on the Free League Publishing website for an update. I’ll either create a new post or update this one when it becomes available. 

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

video game reviews

Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure for VR is a wacky good time

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I was sent Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure as a review code, and while I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you need accessories for your VR setup, like a high-quality charging cable or a set of magnetic prescription lenses, get them over at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE at checkout for 15% off your purchase.

Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure is a silly arcade game available now on Steam VR and Meta Quest. Brave the darkness of space in a ship you have to keep in working order. You’ll have to fly your ship, fight enemies all while fixing your ship, and keep Ziggy fed. If you are looking for a silly good time without the commitment, this game is for you. 

The game has a short and delightful story. I kind of wish the game was longer, but I like that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The game looks great with its silly cartoonish aesthetic to fit its theme. My only complaint about the design is that I wish they didn’t make Ziggy so cute. Spoilers: You’re going to have to kill a few. Dead Ziggy’s aside, this is a solid VR title with an amazing cast of voice actors and fun gameplay. If you are susceptible to VR sickness, this game will get some getting used to. Play it in small bursts. 

The game has a slow start, but it’s worth getting past the initial tutorial hump. Once this game gets going, it’s going to get sweaty. Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure is a very involved game of Bop It with some casual space flight simulation. You’ll get warnings of the different failures of the ship, and you’ll have to make sure you bring them back to working order. You’ll have to hammer stuff, spin stuff, twist stuff, press stuff, and make sure your Ziggy is always fed. If you aren’t flailing around wildly in the middle of your living room, you aren’t doing it right. There is combat, but it’s been understandably simplified. This game would be impossible if players had to maintain the ship on top of dealing with the realism of space travel.

 

I was about ready to write this game off until the chaos kicked in, and I became addicted. It was a little stressful because I am not the best at multi-tasking, but I didn’t know how much I loved that stress until I played this game. This game is perfect for kids, and even better if you want a silly good time without it being a huge commitment. You can pick up for the Meta Quest and Steam VR, and for $19.99, I’d say it’s worth it. It is currently on sale for $17.99 on Steam until November 16,

video game reviews

You Will Die Here Tonight is the creepy retro survival horror game you need in your library

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I was sent You Will Die Here Tonight as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please make sure you leave a like, follow, and share this with your friends.

You Will Die Here Tonight is a retro-style survival horror game available now for PC. It features challenging puzzles, a solid story, fun combat, and a creepy atmosphere. If you enjoy the genre or are simply looking for something spooky for the holidays, I recommend adding You Will Die Here Tonight to your collection.

Aries Division is sent on a mission to recover a stolen serum from a mysterious house on the hill. But this is no ordinary mission. Death hides behind every corner, zombies roam its halls, and the team has been separated. Can you find a way out of this nightmare?

Players investigate the mansion as each member of the Aries Division. Each character has a unique set of skills, stats, and personality that affects how they interact with the environment. This allows for interesting encounters, creative puzzle solutions, multiple endings, and a decent amount of replayability. 

This game does very little hand-holding. There are no checkpoints, and it won’t light your path to the next objective. Instead, you’ll have to stumble through the dark mansion, searching for clues. I loved the anxiety I got from not knowing where to go or what was going on. This anxiety coupled with the mansion’s creepy ambiance makes for a solid horror experience. You will die a lot, but most of the fun comes from getting a little farther with each life.  

The gameplay loop is split into three parts: exploration, combat, and puzzles. Exploring the mansion can feel a bit slow at times, but the setting is creepy enough that it won’t matter. I appreciate the isometric maps and retro vibe of the art style, but there are points in this game where I got stuck because it was too dark to see anything. 

Combat in this game is unique. Each encounter triggers a fun first-person shooter mini-game. The character you play affects how easily you can kill zombies. Killing zombies isn’t always hard, but finding enough bullets and medicine to stay alive can be difficult. 

The puzzles are the best part of this game. You may need a guide for a few of the puzzles, but they are manageable for the most part. I felt a decent sense of accomplishment after completing each puzzle. I definitely appreciate the creativity that went into making them. 

I loved this game. It is a fantastic title in the genre and a must-have if you are a fan of the original Resident Evil. It has a creepy vibe, a solid story, fun gameplay, and some great puzzles. You can pick up on Steam for $19.99.

gaming news, video game reviews

Sorry We’re Closed Demo Review – Classic Survival Horror Bliss

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When I saw the Sorry We’re Closed trailer on this year’s Indie Horror Showcase, I knew I needed to try the demo. Sorry We’re Closed looks like a fun and quirky homage to the classic era of survival horror, and I am here for it.

Michelle wakes up in the demon world after having been cursed by a demon. With the help of whatever she can find lying around, she must brave the horrors that roam this terrifying new world to find a way out. Do you have what it takes to set her free?

If you are looking for a spooky title to play, try this demo. The game does a terrific job of creating a spooky ambiance with its fixed cameras, music, and design. I loved the use of color, its edgy tones, and the gameplay. Exploration feels good, and combat feels even better. If you are a fan of the original Resident Evil game, this game should be on your wishlist.

I don’t normally do horror games, but I had to make this the exception. I’m hoping to grab a copy on release. Until then, make sure you play the demo, and add Sorry We’re Closed to your wishlist. 

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