Not Alone
Not Alone is an asymmetrical hidden movement card game designed by Ghislain Masson where one to six players are explorers who’ve crash-landed on a mysterious planet and one is an alien creature hunting them down. The hunted players play place cards to move around the planet and the creature player has to figure out where they’ve gone and catch them.
Components
The game comes with 97 cards, of which 7 are reminder cards, 20 are hunt cards, 15 are survival cards and 55 are place cards. There is a small board for tracking progress along with 6 tokens for tracking and 18 will cubes.
The artwork for this game is beautiful. Sébastien Caiveau did an amazing job and created some truly stunning sci-fi pieces. My personal favorites are The Shelter, The Source, and the box art.
There is a lot of empty space in the box, but the box still kinda needs to be that big to fit the board and the rulebook, so I’ll give it a pass. Given how much extra space there is, I think the board could have been bigger. Currently to set up the game, you have to deal out place cards to place the creature’s tokens on, and I think those spaces could have been incorporated into the tracking board.
The rulebook is overall very nice. There’s a nice little intro story on the front that really helps set the scene. The visual depictions are very helpful for understanding setup and the game examples. The rules are thoroughly explained, and I like that there’s a short section on the back offering further clarification on the powers of certain place cards.
Gameplay
The game is divided into four phases. In phase 1, the hunted players will each play a place card face down, deciding where to hide. In phase 2, the creature will place their hunt token on a place they think someone is hiding. In phase 3, the hunted all reveal their place cards simultaneously. If the creature catches one or more hunted players, those players each lose a will cube, the assimilation tracker moves up, and they can’t use that place’s power. The hunted players that aren’t caught may either use the special power of the place they went to or take one place card back from their discard pile. In phase four, the rescue counter moves up and players prepare for the next round. Each player also has special cards they can play during certain phases. Each hunted player gets one card at the start of the game, and the creature has a hand of three which they refill at the end of each round.
Thoughts
The game is fun. The cat-and-mouse mind games are engaging without going too deep. It’s easy to set up and fairly quick to play. With a playtime around 30 minutes, games never feel like they’ve gone on too long.
There are a few rules that are easy to forget. It can be really hard to remember to move the rescue counter up at the end of phase four, so it might help to specifically designate someone as the counter-mover. The ability to choose between using a place’s power and taking one card back from the discard pile is also frequently neglected. Most of my players forgot about it and those that didn’t never chose to take a card back instead of using a power.
There is a bit of a learning curve to this game. It might be harder for people who are entirely new to board games because there are a lot of moving parts to keep track of and while the rules are easy to follow in practice, it can be a lot to take in all at once.
I am slightly concerned about game balance. During my playtesting the creature had a pretty consistent win rate vs the hunted, even though we rotated the role a few times. We played two, three, and four player games, and they generally all felt the same balance-wise, though I think the hunted had the best luck at four. However, the games still felt really close.
You are allowed to talk with other players about what you’re doing (though you can’t say what cards you’re playing), but this seems to help the creature more than the hunted. In my playtests it was better for the players to not discuss anything.
Verdict
This game four out of five cthulhus. Amazon doesn’t currently have the Not Alone base game in stock, but it does have the two expansions. You can check those out at the links below, but remember that we are an Amazon affiliate and if you make any purchases using the links provided we will get some $ back.
(4 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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