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Here's a breakdown of all four newly announced games:
Uk’otoa
(Q1 2021) is the first game from Darrington Press, and will cost $29.99 and be recommended for 3 - 5 players, ages 12+. Featuring estimated 30-45 minute gameplay sessions, Uk'otoa is "A battle for life and death on the high Lucidian seas! This flagship title from Darrington Press is a tactical game of semi-cooperative card play as factions of sailors vie to be the last claimed by the raging sea leviathan Uk’otoa. As the ship slowly falls into the ocean, you’ll have to run, push, and sacrifice others to win! Fans of Critical Role know Uk'otoa as the ex-patron of warlock Fjord (played by Travis Willingham). Who could say whether these tales hold any truth? Fjord isn’t telling." The game was created by Jeb Haven (Burrows, Mother Sheep, You Don't Know My Life!), with additional game design by Gabriel Hicks (Roll20, Paizo, Mythic Grove), art by Critter Hannah Friederichs, as well as Uk’otoa Sculpt by Niklas Norman (Runewars, Imperial Assault, Fallout: The Board Game) and layout by Vee Hendro (Good Society: A Jane Austen RPG, Visigoths vs Mall Goths, and Lost Roads).
Speaking to IGN via email, Ivan Van Norman, the head of Darrington Press, explained that Jeb Havens' idea for the game concept actually came about long ago, and the two finally found an ideal home for it in Critical Role. "I was holding onto the game design that would become Uk’otoa for years, as I first found the game when I was going to Google Game Nights and met Jeb Havens there (fun fact: originally the sea monster was a giant squid). Jeb had been playing this game with his co-workers for a while, and I loved it so much we made a deal shortly afterwards to let me pursue the opportunity of making it a game," Van Norman said. 'Years later, when we started talking about the games in our first lineup, I brought up this concept to both Matt and our development team - and before the pitch was even out of my mouth we all collectively said ‘Uk’otoa!’ After everyone had a chance to play it, it was a done deal from there." As for why it's the first game in the linup, Van Norman said "It’s a quick-to-play, tactical card game that spotlights an amazing character in the world of Critical Role, but still serves a very relatable theme (giant sea serpent smashing boats and eating sailors) for gamers. It really does help us give people a taste of the world, while at the same time providing a fun game that Critters (and non-Critters) can play with their friends and family. "Also, who doesn't want to paint a 52mm sea serpent miniature for their games?"
Critical Role Adventures
Critical Role Adventures (Q2 2021) is the second game from Darrington Press and will put players in the shoes of Vox Machina themselves. The official description reads: "Embark on your own journey through Exandria with Critical Role Adventures! Play as the upstart adventurers Vox Machina and overcome treacherous challenges. This cooperative legacy-lite campaign game uses a unique narrative social, and combat mechanic, luring you back session after session. Within this enormous box, you'll find a host of hidden treasures and a rich storybook to guide you through thrilling combat, dynamic character growth, and tales worthy of the name Vox Machina." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/04/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-special-trailer"] Van Norman explained that CRA is still "heavily in development" and so not too much can be said about what players can expect beyond the announcement info. But he did confirm that "the focus will be on exploring new stories, instead of just 'playing through Campaign I.'" And as for replayability, Van Norman said "As a legacy lite game, we want folks to both have a narrative rewarding playthrough, but also feel comfortable playing with a new group of friends should they want to."Syndicult
Syndicult (Q3 2021) is "an original modern magic roleplaying game designed by Matthew Mercer in which mob families jealously guard secrets and battle it out for power on the city streets. Featuring a simple storytelling dice mechanic, Syndicult is a low magic world where all bets are off." Van Norman said Syndicult will mark the first game outside of Exandria for Darrington Press, but it is "still within the comfortable, familiar mind of Matthew Mercer."Guardians of Matrimonia
Guardians of Matrimonia (Q4 2021) "is a cooperative card game where players have pre-built decks that are pitted against a deck of monsters (party crashers). If your deck runs out, everyone loses. But if you battle your way through the entire party crasher deck, everyone wins!" The announcement of Darrington Press is only the latest step in Critical Role's impressive expansion efforts. Last year, the team created a record-breaking Kickstarter that has now led to a Critical Role animated series coming to Amazon Prime. The team also furthered its philanthropy with a new fundraising organization, Critical Role Foundation, and announced the continuation of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins, the comic book series based on Campaign I. And if you want to explore even more of Critical Role beyond the company's weekly shows, you can also dive into the official Dungeons and Dragons Explorer's Guide to Wildemount book. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.from IGN News https://ift.tt/3e0Jv2l
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