Tales From the Loop RPG Starter Set Review
“The Loop’s presence was felt everywhere on the Mälaren Islands. Our parents worked there. Riksenergi’s service vehicles patrolled the roads and the skies. Strange machines roamed the woods, the glades,and the meadows.” – pg 11 of the Tales From the Loop Starter Set Rules Booklet
Tales From the Loop is a tabletop role-playing game by Free League Publishing that is inspired by Simon Stålenhag’s narrative art book of the same name. In the game, player characters take on the role of young teens in the 1980s investigating the dangerous techno-mysteries of their town while interrogating the trauma of growing up. Most of the mysteries in the game are intended to revolve around “The Loop”, a local particle accelerator that has enabled robots, airships, and drones to become a mundane part of everyday life.
The Tales From the Loop Starter Set released in June 2020 and features a quick-start rulebook, a ready-to-play scenario (called “Mysteries”) with five pre-generated characters, ten custom six-sided dice, and a full-color map of the two suggested settings. The kit serves as an introduction to the system for anywhere between one to five new players (plus a gamemaster) with a relatively cheap price point at about $25.
The Gamemaster Experience
I played through the Tales From the Loop Starter Set as the gamemaster, the person responsible for guiding players through the mystery, with my three players using the pre-generated characters that came with the kit. The game system moves the story forward through character-driven scenes. The players and the gamemaster collaboratively describe these scenes in order to discover clues and create a shared narrative. We played through the starter set in three hours and had a blast calling scenes and further flushing out the world through the characters.
As a gamemaster, I had fun working with my players to create unique story beats alongside the provided characters and plot. The scenario, “The Recycled Boy” had an interesting premise as well as many small details for players to uncover and weave into their own understanding of the world. Tales From the Loop provides a solid structure for a role-playing game based around being a teenager in a perplexing and sometimes cruel world.
However, I found the rules and background provided to be relatively generic due to their simplicity and ambiguity. This can be great for those looking for an easy-to-adapt system to reskin for their own purposes. But as someone trying to run a scenario within the lore of the game’s setting, I wished I had more background information about The Loop, especially since the atmosphere of the setting is one of the main selling points of the system. Since starter sets typically introduce games, I expected more explicit and robust worldbuilding in both the rules and the scenario in order to be better equipped to create the same ambiance as the beautiful artwork throughout both booklets.
The Player Experience
My players considered the pre-generated characters the highlight of the starter set. All of the characters had multifaceted backstories, actionable goals, and well-thought out bonds to each other and the larger scenario’s plot. These aspects made embodying these characters relatively easy and enjoyable. However, the players felt the enjoyment of the game would be largely dependent on who it was played with, especially since the main game mechanic is being able to improvise scenes. Due to the lack of traditional turns, suggestions on how to include multiple characters in a scene, and guidelines for best practices in collaborative storytelling the starter kit didn’t necessarily set them or me up for success. We were able to have a great time despite some of these pitfalls we ran into, but we could easily see how some role-playing groups could struggle to overcome these challenges.
Conclusions
Overall, my group enjoyed playing the Tales From the Loop Starter Set. I would recommend it for enthusiasts, though it may be a little light in guidance for those who are new to role-playing games, inexperienced in improvised story-telling, or looking for a lore-heavy role playing experience. The game art and overall concept is exquisite, and even though I wished for some more guidance, I’m excited to dive into the other resources the Tales From the Loop role-playing game has to offer!
(3.5 / 5)
For a deep-dive into the Tales From the Loop board game take a look at the the gameplay review or game developer interview by Leather Snow.
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.
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.
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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