Michael Sands' Monster of the Week is a must-try game for fans of paranormal mysteries, creature-hunting, and otherworldly drama. Published by Evil Hat Productions, it trades in wizards and dragons for a world overflowing with monsters, cryptids, and unexplained phenomena. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Supernatural or The X-Files, and you'll know the vibe.
What sets Monster of the Week apart is its simplicity. The rules are based on the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system, eliminating unnecessary complexities. Most actions are resolved with a roll of two six-sided dice, resulting in either success, partial success, or failure, depending on the number rolled. There's no need to memorize lengthy lists of abilities; players choose a "playbook" (essentially their character's archetype), such as The Chosen, The Flake, or The Spooky, each with unique skills and background hooks. This makes character creation quick and easy, keeping the focus on storytelling rather than mechanics.
One of the best features? You don't need a large group to play. Monster of the Week works perfectly fine with just two players (one Keeper and one hunter) but also shines with groups of three to five. The Keeper acts as the GM, setting up the mystery and controlling the monsters, while the hunters use their individual "moves" to face challenges. What's particularly interesting is that the game encourages collaboration between the Keeper and players in shaping the story, allowing everyone's ideas to contribute to the narrative rather than solely relying on the GM's direction. This creates a sense of shared storytelling that keeps each session fresh and unpredictable.
Additionally, this game doesn't require much prep work, which we appreciate. With a basic idea for a mystery, the Keeper can react and build upon player choices during gameplay, making the experience almost entirely improvisational. Some players may miss the structure of a fully fleshed-out campaign, but for those who prefer a more fluid and organic storytelling approach, this is a refreshing change of pace.
The game also has high replay value. Each mystery can play out differently, and with each playbook offering unique character development options, you could play Monster of the Week multiple times with vastly different outcomes. If you ever run out of ideas for new mysteries, Evil Hat has released several adventure modules for inspiration, or you can create your own cases based on your favorite monster-hunting shows.
From a production standpoint, Monster of the Week is sleek and well-designed. The layout is clean and easy to navigate, even for beginners. The writing is clear and straightforward - there's no room for nit-picking or arguing over rules here, as everything is geared towards creating a cinematic, TV-show atmosphere.
Who would enjoy playing this game? Monster of the Week is an excellent choice for players who want to dive into a story without much setup, especially if they enjoy horror or supernatural themes. It's perfect for those who prefer shorter, episodic gameplay, but it can also be adapted for longer campaigns by connecting multiple mysteries. In our opinion, Monster of the Week is a hit. It's an approachable and enjoyable game that prioritizes storytelling, with rules that never hinder the excitement of hunting monsters. Whether you're new to role-playing or an experienced GM, this game is worth trying if you're up for facing the creatures that lurk in the darkness!
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