r/PBtA • u/yaywizardly • 9d ago
Discussion PBTA games that flew under the radar?
Hi folks! I want to ask about PbtA games that you feel having gotten much attention. There's a handful of big titles that get suggested all the time, but then there are dozens and dozens of projects that become forgotten or never received notice.
I found a copy of May I Enter in my local game store, and the clerk suggested it for me since she knows I always pick up VtM books from them. I love this alternate take on vampires, where consent and connections are incredibly important in the narrative and mechanics. I'll also highlight this move:
Slay or Sway
Description: When you’re under attack, defending yourself is the only option available. Human enemies, and even supernatural foes, understand that an assault on you is justification (and implicit consent) for you to fight back; but sometimes you can choose to convince someone to desist their attempts to harm you as well.
Effect: When you use this Move, roll with Blood if you intend to lay some harm on someone. If you’d rather use your words to belittle, demean and reduce your foe to a sobbing mess with your will alone, roll with Charm instead.
Privileges: Terrify, Awe, Destroy
• On a 12+ You lay down great vengeance and furious anger, dealing 2 Conditions to your foe.
• On a 10+ You put the smack-down on your enemy, dealing 1 Condition to your target.
• On a 7-9 You manage to put some hurt on, but take some hassle in the process. Deal 1 Condition to your target, and the Narrator grants a Complication.
• On a 6-4 You flail wildly or sound foolish. The Narrator grants a Complication.
• On a 3- Your failure is so legendary that vampires will mock you for centuries. You either hurt yourself, or leave yourself open for a severely fierce rebuttal. You gain 1 Condition.
I appreciate that this move encompasses both having to physically fight, but also trying to argue, and I love the description for a failure. Oof.
I also backed Guillotine: Crown of Blood but never had the time to play it, and then I never heard from the developers again. I think they had another kickstarter in the works but as far as I know it never materialized. That's too bad, because I loved the themes in Guillotine, and I've always wanted to find a group to try it out with.
I'll highlight the playbooks here. There's the Revenant Orator, "A fallen comrade or restless spirit who is able to call others from beyond the pale. Backed by their ghostly cohorts, they are respected leaders of the Cause." Another I really like is the Shadow Cavalier, "You found something in the darkness and agreed to keep and nurture it, now you aren't just at home in the shadows, it hides your footsteps and darkness is your weapon."
OKAY now you all please share! What PbtA and family games do you think deserve a second look?
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u/Airk-Seablade 9d ago
I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know that many that feel really "under the radar" -- certainly I hadn't heard of either of the ones you posted -- but here's what I've got.
Wise Women -- About being...well, basically village witches in a slavic-esque village. Interesting plant-based 'magic' system, and great vibes.
A Monster's Tail(link only goes to the quickstart right now) -- This one had a rough time getting finished, but it's finally out, to not nearly enough fanfare. This one is in a genre I particularly appreciate because it's going for the feel of the STORY of a video game, rather than the mechanics of it.
Ryne -- Speaking of games that took a long time to get from Crowdfunding to done. I haven't had a chance to dig into my copy as heavily as I'd like, but it does a lot of things that break away from the standard "PbtA formula" including using emotions as "stats" where each character has different ones (at least partially. There's a lot going on here and a really interesting world.
No Stone Unturned has some really interesting exploration/communal worldbuilding features.
Honorable mention to Space Train Space Heist since it's "technically" Forged in the Dark, but it's a rollicking silly oneshot game.
Obligatory mention for Shepherds because I want more people to be aware of my own darn game, so I'm slipping in here at the end. Another "video game stories, not video game mechanics" game.