There is no shortage of dungeon crawlers in board gaming. They have been a popular mainstay genre in the hobby for decades, functioning as a hybrid model between truly open-ended tabletop RPG style expeditions and combat-driven board games that highlight fighting over any sort of narrative. Long have they been enjoyed by players who wish to play out various scenarios as a team of adventurers exploring their surroundings, grabbing some shiny loot, and thrwarting any monsters who stand in their way. From the earliest renditions to today’s sprawling big box investments, dungeon crawlers find appeal by allowing players to not only jump into a particular narrative but through their actions also feel like they’re portraying the story on the page.
Over the years, many elements about dungeon crawlers have continually improved and evolved, from physical components and quality of the stories told to a diversification of both gameplay mechanics and representation of its playable characters. All of these are laudable in their own right.
As its very name implies, however, one aspect that the genre has trouble escaping are its themes. So, so, so many dungeon crawlers revolve around precisely that: some kind of series of dungeons, underground facilities, or castle catacombs. The vast majority are rooted in classic high fantasy trappings, and as good as they may be, it can be a challenge finding a dungeon crawler that drops you into something more original.
Say, such as a haunted house.
Jinkies! What a strange idea.
Luckily, our latest game focus tackles that precise problems with The Ghosts Betwixt by Innocent Traveler Games, a challenging but lighthearted co-op dungeon crawler for 1-4 players. Created by Dustin Freund, The Ghosts Betwixt transports you to two places that aren’t the default for many games in general, let alone a dungeon-crawling adventure: the Midwest, and the 1990s.
In this blast from the Heartland’s past, players in the game are all members of an average family who live adjacent to the nearby Bennert clan. The Bennert’s claim to fame in the region was once their annual haunted house attraction, which has fallen on hard times. However, strange things are afoot as your family member has been kidnapped by the Bennerts for reasons unknown, and all signs point you in the direction of their (formerly) vacant haunted house. Your ultimate goal over the course of the game’s story-based campaign is to save young Richie, obviously, which is done in the vein of classic dungeon crawling fashion: leveling up characters, upgrading abilities, finding treasure, and defeating a host of obstacles that stand in your way. In The Ghosts Betwixt though, much of this is done with a fair share of tongue-in-cheek references, suburbia sendups, and more than a few era callbacks.
Now if swapping subterranean caves for a different kind of spooky adventure – complete with fishnets, flannel shirts, and likely more than a little 90s era teenage ennui – sounds like your thing then you’re in luck! Because we’re here to help you get your nostalgic grunge on by offering up a copy of the game as a prize. For a chance at one, all you need to do is seeing if you really have what it takes to save poor Richie.
Yes, from now though February 6th, 2022, you can check out the contest details and enter below. Just follow the entry form and proceed with the contest. The more of these entries you do, even if just one, you still have a better chance than not entering at all. Of course you’re welcome to do that too. But your odds of winning drop to zero. No pressure or anything.
One Copy of The Ghosts Betwixt
The Cardboard Republic, in conjunction with Innocent Traveler Games is giving this game away strictly for entertainment purposes. This act is not a paid endorsement by Innocent Traveler Games or any other entity. This contest is open to individuals only. Staff members of The Cardboard Republic and Innocent Traveler Games are not eligible to participate. For winners outside of the Continental US, the publisher reserves the right to request they cover part or all of the shipping costs.