There is always that one person at a tabletop game that a GM knows is going to be trouble the moment they sit down. Before the dice are cast, before the players assemble, there’s always one asking questions that inevitably are going to create ridiculous situations. They want their Wookie to have a Lightsaber. They want to know what types of bombs their skyship is capable of. They plead with you why their monk should also be a sharpshooter. And they’re the one wanting to know why they can’t be the dragon everyone intends to slay.
It’s a tale as old as time, really.
Well, now, finally, you can throw your arms in the air and say Why Not. Forget convention, forget teamwork. It’s every man and woman and creature and inanimate object for themselves.
You heard us. Let’s do this.
This is what you’re essentially walking into with Vast: The Crystal Caverns, an asymmetrical dungeon-diving game where the dungeon bites back. In this game, each player takes on the mantle of a different character that not only has different powers and ambitions, but each of them also has their own goals on how to win the game. The Knight player wins if they kill the Dragon player. The Dragon meanwhile wants to escape the cave with their hoard. The Thief wants loot. And the player acting as the malevolent Cave itself just wants to kill everyone.
Think of The Crystal Caverns as a Gygaxian Thunderdome. Five somethings enter, one whatever leaves. Well, unless it’s the Cave – then it’s probably not going anywhere.
Part free-for-all, part homage to classic dungeon crawling adventures, Vast not only gives each character a different gameplay experience from one another, but the game accomplishes this unique approach while not feeling unbalanced or contrived. It takes the idea of the standard questing party and stands it on its head, providing something at once both familiar and original.
The only question is who you will be, and whether or not you’ll succeed.
To help with that, we’re giving away a copy of the game as a practice run. From now until midnight EST on August 31st you can check the contest out on our Facebook page, or by entering below. Just follow the entry form and proceed with the contest. The more 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.
The Fine Print: The Cardboard Republic, in conjunction with Leder Games is giving this game away strictly for entertainment purposes. This act is not a paid endorsement by Leder Games or any other entity. This contest is open to individuals only. Staff members of The Cardboard Republic and Leder 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.