Box Set containing 6 games, ranging from comedic to contemplative.
Each game collected here is simple enough to play with no preparation, but robust enough to play hundreds of times over without ever telling the same story twice.
The 2021 Boxed Set collects the following 6 games:
Dating.sim
A light-hearted romance roleplaying game inspired by the TV show The Dating Game as well as the “dating simulator” video game genre. Dating simulators are narrative-heavy games where players can date one of multiple eligible characters via choose-your-own-adventure-style conversations. Make the right choices and a character might like you more, make the wrong choices and they might like you less. Dating.sim recreates this structure through competitive roleplaying, with players improvising multiple-choice options for one player to select over the course of a date.
HOUNDs
A dice-stacking roleplaying game about the bond between a mech pilot and their robot companion. HOUND stands for a Human-Operated Utility-Neurolink Device, and authorities want to erase your mech’s memories, deleting your friendship. Escape is unlikely, but you’re determined to resist.
Grandpa’s Farm
letter-writing roleplaying game inspired by slow-life video games like Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, and Stardew Valley. In Grandpa’s Farm, you’ve inherited a long-neglected farmstead and are about to spend the next four years of your life getting it up and running again.
Scene Thieves
A theatrical roleplaying game where players collaboratively “write” a play while simultaneously choreographing an elaborate heist in the background. Players create a band of thieves who use theatrical performances as cover for their crimes. Players also establish broad strokes for the game’s show before writing down a variety of props on notecards.
Wishless
A roleplaying game set in a world where, once upon a time, every living person was given three wishes. Players portray wish-seekers called Hunters who’ve already used their wishes and are chasing down Leads on the existence of new and unused ones.
Single Unique Power
A 23-page, cast-building, setting-creation game inspired by the “one person, one power” trope popular in superhero media, manga, and anime. Examples include mutations in X-Men, quirks in My Hero Academia, devil fruit powers in One Piece, and nen abilities in Hunter × Hunter. In each of these examples, select characters all have unique, personalized powers.
Tyler Crumrine, author and designer.
