The Crow Cinematic Adventure Review | Everyday Heroes RPG
Tabletop role-playing games have been around for decades, and they’re still going strong. Whether you’re a veteran gamer or just getting into RPGs for the first time, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Today, we’ll be taking a look at one of the newer RPG releases: The Crow Cinematic Adventure expansion of Everyday Heroes by Evil Genius Games. Let’s dive in and see what this game has to offer!
First The Crow Book and Movie World
The Crow is a classic tale of gothic revenge that has left its mark on both film and literature. The 1994 movie adaptation of The Crow and the 1989 book both share a profound story of redemption and justice as we follow Eric Draven’s journey from death to life in an effort to avenge the brutal murder of his lover. The similarities between the two stories are undeniable; each follows an emotionally-charged character who has lost their loved one, battling for what’s right in a morally grey world. The Crow movie and The Crow book have stood the test of time, remaining critically-acclaimed masterworks worthy of the title ‘gothic classics’.
The Crow RPG – Does it Stack Up?
Although The Crow Cinematic Adventure is based on the 1994 movie of the same name, it’s not just an adaptation – it’s an entirely new story set within the same universe. You play as agents of destiny with The Reborn (think Crow) and the Soothsayer (think the really weird magic lady who eats eyes or something in the movies) who must investigate strange occurrences in their city and unravel its secrets. This game is unique in that it focuses more on narrative storytelling than traditional dice rolling combat. It encourages players to think outside the box and get creative with their solutions to puzzles or challenging situations.
Playing The Crow may just be the best way to spend a dark, stormy night.
Jim going ‘dang this is good’
The game is designed for 2-6 players and can be completed in 1-2 hours depending on how quickly you work through it. The rules are simple enough that even beginners can pick them up quickly while experienced veterans will appreciate the challenge posed by some of the scenarios presented in The Crow.
The components included with The Crow are top-notch; everything from character concepts to new powers are high quality and well designed. This is obviously an act of love from Chris “Goober” Ramsley. The art style also captures the dark, mysterious atmosphere of the film and book perfectly, which adds to your experience when playing this game.
Pros
There are a lot of upsides to this game. I love the detail the creator put into the characters. Not only can you use the characters and design your own for this module, but you can import them into any campaign. That’s right–We will get The Crow and Rambo vs Kingpin (generic!) one day!
You can play characters as the kid or adult version of them. Imagine the depth of detail here that was involved in figuring out strengths and weaknesses across the timeline of iconic characters.
The adventure is smart and it allows people to really explore their character making and decisions. In this game, decisions really do matter and how you play is as important as the d20.
I also love how it captures the feel of The Crow movies (first two) and book. This is a must-have for any Crow fan.
Cons
The elephant in the room is the con. Love The Crow? Great! This is a great expansion for you. But you will need the core set to play this. The expansion, as-is, can be confusing without the core book and requires it to play. Terms are not inclusive to just the expansion. You definitely need to buy into the Everyday Heroes ecosystem to play this.
If that’s a con for you or not, I’ll let you decide.
Final Verdict
The Crow Cinematic Adventure is a great addition to any RPG fan’s collection. It offers a unique twist on traditional table-top gaming by focusing less on combat and more on narrative storytelling. Even those who aren’t familiar with RPGs should give this one a try! With its high quality components and immersive atmosphere, it’s sure to provide hours of fun for gamers both old and new alike! Playing The Crow may just be the best way to spend a dark, stormy night.
(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.
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!!!
