In this series of posts, Brendan will tackle games outside of the tabletop RPG realm, dissecting them for any useful tidbits to apply to tabletop RPG design. XCOM 2: a game of soldiers, aliens, bad calls, upsetting mistakes, a really cruel RNG (random number generator), and many, many explosions. There’s a tactical level of squad-based […]
In the typical default setting of white characters, Cartel switches the settings to that of Mexico which rarely happens without the GM saying so. It touches on weighty subjects of culture and the darkness that lies underneath when it comes to the issue at hand. But Cartel also does something that few games do; it is at its best and its core a Telenovela. Those of us who grew up in Latin culture can pick that up in a heartbeat and those who haven’t can lavish into the drama if it all. Aunque la…
