My Top 3 Narrative-Driven Board Games


I officially have 30 games in my collection and I've noticed that narrative-driven games are ones I tend to gravitate towards the most!

Here are my top 3 story-driven games and let me share why:

1. Call of Kilforth


Players: 1-4

Playing Time: 45 - 180 minutes (average for me as a solo player is 60 minutes)

Complexity: 3/5

Mechanisms: Co-Op/Solo, dice rolling, modular board, roleplaying, set collection

Replayability: Honestly... ENDLESS

Must be pretty obvious, I am in LOVE with the Kilforth world that Hall or Nothing Games has created. Tristan Hall knows how to make high-quality games with such immersive themes, and he ALWAYS keeps in mind the solo player. I'm always so impressed with his games and what he creates.

Call of Kilforth is this nautical themed version of the Kilforth world (there is Gloom of Kilforth and Shadows of Kilforth) and it's all about completing your personal saga (comprised of 4 chapters) before defeating one of the evil ancients. As you sail around the world, you meet different types of strangers and uncover rumors about spells, artifacts, and other evils lurking around. 

As you read your personal saga, the cards guide you with what rumors to you need to pass each chapter of the saga and then at the end of the saga, you are rewarded with a powerful artifact that can help you defeat the evil ancient! I love the flavor-text on every card, it really draws you into the theme of the game!


2. Dark Venture

Players: 1-4

Playing Time: 60 - 90 minutes

Complexity: 2.7/5

Mechanisms: Co-Op/Solo, dice rolling, modular board, roleplaying, hand management, grid movement

Replayability: Honestly... ENDLESS

Ok this game has been around since 2019, and just this year was the first time I've ever heard about it! Dark Venture is a retro adventure card game where you explore Darkgrange and complete heroic and side quests to gain points! Depending on the location you are in, certain events or actions happen when you read the location guides. There are 2 guides A and B and you can play with either one, it just changes up the story.

You have decks of Locations, Items and Characters and you spend action points to play these cards and hopefully gain enough quest points before the end of the day. Depending on how you play, you can do a short game which consists of 6 rounds or a full game which is 12 rounds. 

Love how different the quests and storylines are... you never know what quest you will end up taking! It could be from trying on egg armor to making a wolf-pelt jacket for the princess to exploring the land for resources and unique items for the king's legionnaires. 


3. Call to Adventure


Players: 1-4

Playing Time: 30 - 60 minutes

Complexity: 2/5

Mechanisms: Co-Op/Solo, Storytelling, Dice (Rune) Rolling, Set Collection

Replayability: Honestly... ENDLESS

This is a fun and light game where you craft your hero (or antihero) and their destiny! You go through Acts I - III to level-up your character by building up its charisma, intelligence, strength, etc. and gain experience through unique challenges to defeat the evil enemy at the end. You can train as a spy, or train as a killer... it's up to you!

I love using this game as inspiration for my D&D adventures and campaigns! It's a fun light game, great for families too!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 New Solo TTRPG Tools: I absolutely love using these!

Image
  Some Context On How I Personally Play: One thing I've noticed about preparation for my sessions is that after I build out my world (regions, towns, factions, villains, etc.) I always write out the beginning, middle and end of my campaign. I tend to play linear/scripted, meaning I already have certain scenarios that I want my character to go through. There is nothing wrong with that at all! But, I started to miss that "element of surprise" and wanted to try to just play and let the story unfold and actually "get to know" my character. That is something I am learning playing my most recent CAIRN campaign, "A Vinekin's Revenge." I'm learning about my PC Morgwen and how she's quite reserved, but she tries to take charge. She's a bit shy, but she slowly learns to make a friend. I'm honestly enjoying her growth and character development more than other characters I created because of the "element of surprise." I don't have...
Read more

Magic the Gathering (MTG): Can you play it solo?

Image
  Yes, there are VARIOUS ways to play it solo! One way I like to play is by playing your deck against a "Challenge Deck"! For example, "Journey into Nyx: Defeat a God," is one that I own. There are many types that you can find online that play differently, but before you purchase one, make sure it is a  challenge deck, not  a challenger deck.  Overview & Objective: The goal is to defeat the god, Xenagos. You win the game if Xenagos leaves the battlefield, and that can only happen if there are no Revelers left.  You play using the basic MTG rules with just a few exceptions: You start with 3 Hero cards. It is recommended to play using Hero cards, but that is not needed to play. I personally tweak that rule by playing 1 creature (if I get luck lol) out of the 7 cards I draw for the first round and then play as normal. He has a brutal deck, so you can get wiped out real quickly.  You can attack Xenagos and Revelers with your creatures , and any number of c...
Read more

A Vinekin's Revenge (pt.9): Trapped & Ensnared

Image
  As the path cleared, a deep mysterious voice comes through the forest. "Welcome, my loyal disciples." It was Kevin's voice greeting his followers. Morgwen could see Martin's smile and eagerness in the torchlight. She notices his tight grip on the Crown of Thorns. He shouldn't have that crown... if Kevin is trying to perform Vineamorphosis, I need to stop him before it's too late , she thinks to herself. They all walk along the path and soon, it leads them to the Stone Thornbound Altar and Kevin, the Vinekin, standing behind the altar with his arms stretched-wide. The member of the chapel gather around the altar and bow, paying their respects to Kevin. Morgwen observes everyone's movements and mannerisms and tries to blend in and does the same.  Martin comes forward to the altar and bows down to Kevin. He walks around the altar and places his hand on Martin's shoulder saying, "Rise, Martin, for you have been chosen to guide my people. I shall rew...
Read more