Zine Month is nearly upon us, and while I only recently became aware of its existence, I know that there are several projects I am deeply looking forward to seeing funded. From cooking, to convalescing, to magical academy horror I hope there’s something to speak to your interests in the five games I’m sharing below! Which releases are you excited about? Are there others I haven’t mentioned that are on your radar? Let me know!
You can find out more about Zine Month on their website [here].
My Mother’s Kitchen by Fleet Detrik
From Fleet Detrik comes My Mother’s Kitchen, a solo journaling game about traditions, change, and cooking. To play, you will need a tarot deck, a ten-sided die, something to take notes with, and then either scissors or sticky notes depending on if you’re playing the physical or digital version of the game.
In this game where cooking sets you free, you’re playing as the original author of your family’s cookbook, now trapped within, and acting as their guardian. Who you are and why you’re trapped will be uncovered through centuries, and across generations. Will your inheritors realise your dream and grant your spirit rest? You’ll need to play to find out!
I had the opportunity to playtest this game back in November and have been looking forward to it since! I enjoy the premise of My Mother’s Kitchen immensely and like how the volume is organised and broken down to make starting your game as easy as possible. From creating your cookbook to defining your ghost and adding recipes, there are clear and easy steps to follow so you can tell your own beautiful, reflective story about family and traditions. There’s a warmth and comfort in this game I think people will deeply appreciate.
I’m particularly keen on how food is explicitly tied to memory. I like that it made me reflect on my own memories with kitchens in my family. I remember sitting at the island as a child, and my mom sliding a plate of eggos across to me before school. She’d put berries on them to make eyes and a smiley face. Cute and wholesome, right? It is! I burst into tears. I didn’t want to destroy what she’d made for me! I asked my mom if she remembered this and we wound up having a good laugh about it, and the time I brought her yoghurt and dill pickles for breakfast in bed (please know that I put the pickle inside the yoghurt. 5-year-old me went “Mom likes pickles and has yoghurt at breakfast, so she will like this!”).
Support tiers for My Mother’s Kitchen range from $2-40 USD. You can pick up either a digital or physical edition, contribute community copies, and even receive a signed vegetarian recipe card from Fleet! Check out this solo journaling game on Crowdfundr [here] and get ready to get cooking!
Pelogos by Basil Wright
From Basil Wright comes Pelogos, a multiplayer game for as few as two people, and with no maximum number of players. Games can be played in 3-4 hours, and you play as either a Lantern Keeper – paranormal investigators – or as an Echo, a sea ghost.
In Pelogos, you are helping the living come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. This can take various forms, and through gameplay you’re exploring death, grief, and what lies beyond in the Sea of Dreams and Innovation, called Mercī. Every creative endeavour (and block) comes from this sea, and it is a living thing, changing in response to those within it, and the actions of the PCs.
I’m excited for this game because of its premise! Pelogos welcomes you to The Lighthouse, the place the Lantern Keepers call home. Theirs is a tradition spanning 500-years, helping Echoes and the living make contact at the risk of drifting into The Beyond themselves.
I’m also excited because I’m familiar with, and fans of the work of, two members of this team. I recently reviewed Well Wishers from Basil, the game’s designer and thought it was just as much about community, humanity and connection as this one is. Endhy Pino, who is working on Pelogos’ layout, is someone whose work I’ve spoken of multiple times, including a review of Murder at the Three Swords Inn. I’m excited to see the results of this collaboration!
Support tiers for Pelogos range from $2-300USD. To pick up a digital copy of Pelogos, you’ll be looking at $10USD, while higher tiers offer the chance to introduce characters and adventures to the game! Check out what is sure to be a gripping, moving game [here] and get ready to set sail!
Dead Letter Society from Montford Games
From Montford Games comes Dead Letter Society, a GM-less, epistolary and journaling game for 1-2 players. In Dead Letter Society you’re playing as a vampire with their own hopes, ambitions, and dreams. You’re also a member of a secret society, who has paired you with your perfect match according to your goals. Or, rather, to the Society’s goals and if your goals also happen to align then, good for you.
I’m excited about this game because of its flexibility. You can play in person, online, or in a play-by-post style as scheduling allows. There are also four separate options for solo play, and with 190 prompts linked to tarot cards you’re sure to tell a different story each and every time. I’m also excited because like. Vampires. I’m only human here, give me a 1-2 player game with letter writing and vampires and you’ve got my attention.
I also enjoy that the game allows for different genres – you could be sending a physical letter via dead drops, a secure electronic communication, and know that whatever your means of communication, the Dead Letter Society guarantees the safety and security of your privacy. With the option to use pre-written playsets spanning Ancient Rome to Cyberpunk Dystopia there’s sure to be something that speaks to your interest!
Dead Letter Society is a game I will be writing more about quite soon. I have been sent a review copy, and you can look forward to finding out my thoughts about solo gameplay in greater detail before month’s end. Update: find it [here]!
Support tiers currently range from about $15-25 USD for either a digital, or digital and physical, version of the game. The Crowdfundr page is still in progress, so your best bet is to hit subscribe [here] to get notified when it goes live, and in the meanwhile… get ready to write your heart out!
Ailing Away by Justin Vandermeer
From Justin Vandermeer comes Ailing Away, a solo mystery game with historical romantic elements. Described as “like CLUE, plus kissing” you jump right into play with your trusty game book, a standard deck of playing cards, a pair of ten-sided dice, and your choice of writing utensils.
The year is 1905 and you’ve been diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Your father, worried that you will die young and unmarried, sends you to Venice to convalesce. There was one spot available at the exclusive spa-hotel you’ve been sent to, a spot that was only available due to the murder of one of the other guests. You’re determined to solve the case, and your suspects are all also potential friends, or romantic partners. Will you solve the case before succumbing to your illness, or being sent home in shame? Only time will tell!
I’m excited about this game because I love murder mysteries, and so the opportunity to do one through solo play is quite exciting! I’ve never actually played CLUE and have always wanted to and adding budding friendships and romances into the mix is absolutely delightful. There are 48 clues divided among the suspects, and you only uncover some of them through getting to know people better, so I am quite looking forward to diving into this game!
I also just think that title is quite clever and love the aesthetic we’ve been presented with so far. The letter images associated with each tier are quite charming, and the idea of writing letters home to your stressed-out parent going “I sent my child there to rest, not become a detective” delights me. I also like that as you’re progressing through the mystery and piecing things together that you are also tracking your social standing and health – there’s more than one way to lose in this game and I think that’s rather fun!
Support tiers range from about $6-111 USD. $6USD gets you a digital copy of the game, while $15 will see you with a physical and digital copy – as well as a copy for the community pool. If you want a custom portrait of your detective and a hand-written letter, that’s also an option, and no matter how you prefer to approach your murder mysteries, you’ll want to hit subscribe [here] and put your best detective hat on!
Tangled Blessings by Mothwin Productions
From Mothwin Productions comes Tangled Blessings, a magic academy horror RPG for 1-2 players. Inspired by dark academia, ghost stories, and graduate school, you will only need a deck of tarot cards and a way to record your story to play. It can be played in one session, but with natural breaks between the school years you can certainly play for longer if you like.
In Tangled Blessings, you’re playing as a senior student of Brackroot Academy – a magically inclined school for adults. Your last final before graduation is less than 24 hours away and in it you will face your Rival for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As you settle in for review, you find yourself recalling your last four years: the successes, failures, friendships, and secrets.
The history of Brackroot Academy feels tangible and rich. The myths and stories around The Speaking Gem, that esoteric artefact used to determine new prospective students, feel real – and if you believe them, aren’t they? Brackroot is a hidden school, serving as your invitation and introduction to a worldwide secret society of magic users. It’s difficult not to be immediately drawn into this world of mystery, magic, and ghosts!
Character creation lends itself beautifully to continuing to build that atmosphere. From joining one of five magical houses, discovering your Rival (there’s 22 possibilities, which is incredible), and determining how your magic manifests in the mundane world, your place in this story immediately begins to take shape.
I enjoy the atmosphere of this game immensely and am deeply looking forward to playing through my time at Brackroot Academy as part of the House of Dahlias! The examples of play provided in the preview are of great help, and the grounds map is such a thoughtful and beautiful addition. I’m excited to wander them!
Support tiers range from $15-100 USD, with $15 securing your very own digital copy of the game (expected to launch in March 2023). For supporters in the United States, a deluxe limited-edition box set, including a thematic, limited-run scented candle from Delve Candles, is available for $60! To stay up to date with all communications from Brackroot Academy, subscribe [here] and get ready to make your mark.
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