Trophy Dark is a horror storytelling game where the players are treasure hunters and set off to a dangerous place (abstractly called the forest, although it can also be a swamp, castle or something else entirely). However, the focus is not on finding treasure (that would be more like Trophy Gold), but on the character’s personal downfall. The game is a play to lose game, where the impending doom, whether death or physical as well as mental change, is in the foreground.
In Ten Candles, the entire group tells a tragic horror story. A story of hope but also of a world before its end. Why together? Because the players and the game master share the right to tell the story at the table. Why tragic? Because no matter how much hope the characters may have, they all find their end in this story.
On 52 pages, the principle of Arium:Create is explained in detail. The authors emphasize that it is a collaborative process and that we are building an Arium by mutual agreement. Therefore, safety tools are recommended via the Lacunae found in Arium. At several points it is pointed out that we consult concerned persons before we make a decision or change an idea with the Creation Tokens. An Arium for all should be created.
If you’re up for a dark world like Warhammer’s, but prefer to roll d20 instead of d100 and want to be able to do something with your character, you might feel comfortable with the Demon Lord. The system is uncomplicated and the combinations of professions, talents and spells are gigantic.
Tales from the Loop is perfect for immersing yourself in a world and our past, which is a bit different. A world without magic, where our heroes are normal teenagers, is a very refreshing approach and makes it easier for both game masters and beginners to get started.
Until today new retro clones are published and Beyond the Wall is one of those systems with a firm grip on the OSR tradition.
Beyond the Wall solves some aspects that are in today’s perspective not up-to-date and for some players more frustrating than fun in an elegant way.
