Jason Richardson

Daggerheart: The Birth of a New Era Daggerheart storms onto the scene, the proud child of classic fantasy RPGs and narrative-driven systems like PBTA. Forged by Darrington Press, it merges bold storytelling with the heroic grit of traditional sword-and-sorcery and does so with remarkable finesse. At its core is a brilliant 2d12 system: Hope and Fear dice that weave tension into every roll, making victory and failure feel equally alive. Here, characters aren’t just stats, but living legends shaped by evocative traits and bonds, breathing real emotion into every battle, every choice. Drawing deeply from PBTA’s narrative spirit but built for the sweeping epic of classic fantasy, Daggerheart keeps the action fast, emotional, and meaningful. Character creation is fresh and mythic, blending ancestry and community roles into something larger than life and deeply personal. Combat is swift and sharp, but story always leads. Every mechanic fuels the narrative, turning even setbacks into legendary moments. And with its open license, Daggerheart invites players to not just tell stories but build new worlds together. Verdict: Daggerheart is the future of heroic fantasy roleplay — fast, heartfelt, and boundless. A new saga begins.

Metro-Otherscape is a groundbreaking RPG from Son of Oak Game Studio that merges the gritty, high-tech allure of cyberpunk with the haunting resonance of mythology. Designed by Amít Moshe and a powerhouse creative team, this game invites you to jack into a world where the noise of technology has dulled human senses so much that ancient spirits—gods, demons, and forgotten legends—have slipped back into the world, seeking new hosts and new power. At its core, Metro-Otherscape thrives on its seamless blending of cyberpunk’s dystopian future with ancient mythologies. The result is a setting that feels both futuristic and primal, where sleek neon megacities hum with both technological and spiritual energy. The lore is rich and layered, providing a fertile playground for roleplaying where characters navigate not only corporate intrigue and street-level violence but also the mystical forces stirring beneath the surface. The game’s mechanics are elegant yet flexible, using a modified version of the City of Mist narrative tag system. This allows for deep character customisation, where players can blend high-tech augmentations with mythic powers. Want to play a hacker infused with the spirit of a trickster god? Or a cyber-enhanced ronin wielding a blade forged by an ancient deity? Metro-Otherscape makes it possible—and mechanically rewarding. The book’s writing is sleek and evocative, setting the tone of a grimy, high-stakes world where myth and machine collide. The layout is crisp, and the art—led by Isago Fukuda—is stunning, with neon-lit cityscapes and haunting supernatural figures bringing the world to life. The game provides a structured yet adaptable framework for GMs, with robust guidance on building challenges, running jobs, and evolving character arcs. What sets Metro-Otherscape apart is how it encourages cinematic storytelling. Scenes are built for drama and tension, with the tag system driving creative problem-solving and dynamic action. Combat and narrative moments flow seamlessly, making it easy for both new and experienced players to immerse themselves in the game’s rich narrative fabric. Why You Should Try It If you’re a fan of Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, or Shadowrun but crave deeper narrative control and mythological depth, Metro-Otherscape is your game. Its mix of crunchy cyberpunk action and mystical storytelling is rare and compelling. The game’s emphasis on character-driven stories and the flexibility of the tag system means you’re not just following a plot—you’re shaping it. This is a game where your choices matter, where every decision reverberates through the neon-lit shadows of the megacity and the hidden realms of ancient power. Metro-Otherscape isn’t just a game—it’s an invitation to explore the future and the past at once, to harness the power of myth and machine, and to tell stories that pulse with danger, mystery, and revelation.

Legend in the Mist: A Mythical Revolution in Fantasy Roleplaying Legend in the Mist isn’t just an RPG; it’s a paradigm shift in how fantasy tabletop games can be approached. As someone with years of experience running RPGs, I’ve encountered countless systems, each claiming to bring something new to the table. But Legend in the Mist doesn’t just bring something new—it redefines what storytelling in a high-fantasy setting can look like. It’s a game that I not only fell in love with but one I believe has the power to change how people think about roleplaying games altogether.

City of Mist: A Love Letter to Mystery, Myth, and Roleplaying As a professional Game Master and long-time RPG enthusiast, I’ve spent years diving into countless systems, each with its unique charm. But nothing prepared me for the transformative experience of City of Mist. This game didn't just capture my attention—it completely reshaped my perspective on tabletop roleplaying games, elevating my craft as a GM and deepening my appreciation for narrative-driven systems. A Setting Steeped in Mystery and Myth City of Mist is set in a neo-noir urban sprawl where the ordinary mingles with the extraordinary. At its core lies the concept of "Rifts," individuals who channel the powers of mythical legends, deities, or archetypes—living dual lives as both mundane citizens and larger-than-life manifestations of their myths. The city itself is cloaked in an ever-present "Mist" that keeps the supernatural hidden from most. This thematic balance between myth and reality is not just unique but utterly captivating, providing fertile ground for rich storytelling and character exploration. From the very first session, I was hooked. The setting is alive, breathing with possibilities, and every corner of the city feels like it holds secrets waiting to be uncovered. Whether you're chasing down leads as a hardboiled detective imbued with the power of Hermes or struggling with the duality of your human life and your mythos as Baba Yaga, the game pulls you into its world with an intensity I hadn’t experienced before. The Power of the Narrative What truly sets City of Mist apart is its narrative focus. Powered by the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system, it emphasizes storytelling over crunch-heavy mechanics. The ruleset encourages players and GMs to weave cinematic, character-driven stories with dramatic stakes. Every move made by a character feels meaningful and intentional, further immersing everyone in the narrative. The tag-based system for defining characters is an absolute game-changer. Instead of rigid stats and skills, you create descriptive tags for your abilities, weaknesses, and mythos. This not only grants unparalleled freedom in character creation but also challenges players to think creatively about how their powers manifest. For example, one of my players defined their character’s ability to "shatter lies" as a tag, which weaved seamlessly into both their investigations and personal arc. As a GM, this system opened up a world of collaborative storytelling. The mechanics guide you but never confine you, allowing you to focus on crafting a story that’s deeply personal to the players. And that’s the magic of City of Mist—it’s not about winning or losing but about uncovering truths, confronting internal conflicts, and telling unforgettable tales. A New Perspective on RPGs Before City of Mist, I leaned heavily into high-fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons. While I still adore those experiences, City of Mist has shifted my perspective on what RPGs can be. It showed me the profound impact of a narrative-first system, where the spotlight shines on emotions, relationships, and moral dilemmas rather than stats or loot. It’s a system that encourages vulnerability, introspection, and collaboration. Running this game for nearly three years has not only improved my storytelling but has also brought me closer to my players. Every session is an exercise in shared imagination and mutual investment. I’ve laughed, cried, and been genuinely awestruck by the stories we’ve created together. Why You Should Try It If you’re looking for an RPG that prioritizes storytelling, challenges your creativity, and immerses you in a world of intrigue and mythology, City of Mist is unparalleled. It’s perfect for seasoned players seeking a fresh experience and newcomers who want to focus on character and story. It has changed how I approach RPGs, and I have no doubt it will leave an indelible mark on anyone who plays it. City of Mist isn’t just a game—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of RPG that stays with you long after the dice are put away, and for me, it’s become a cornerstone of my passion for roleplaying. It reignited my love for the art of storytelling and proved that the best RPGs are the ones that create unforgettable stories, not just for the characters but for the players themselves. If you’re ready to step into the mist and uncover the legends hiding within, I promise you won’t regret it.

Attended a GM Seminar and was pleased with how DM Bob Yo conducted himself and how informed he was regarding issues in the real world that effect our beloved hobbies.