Game Info
Year
2020
Players
3-6
Age
14+
Playtime
150 min
Complexity
2/5
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 2
This page: 2
Sentiment:
pos 2 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–2 of 2
Video hy3_05K2vUo
Board Of It Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34446 · mention_pk 102591
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Extremely approachable for new GMs and players; simple PBtA rules
- Strong keeper tools and modular mysteries with minimal prep
- No fixed solution encourages emergent storytelling and player agency
- Accessible character creation with pre-filled options
- Solid starter RPG for new groups; blends cozy mystery with eldritch elements
- Good for one-shots or short campaigns; rich content via mysteries and supplements
Cons
- Some may find it relatively vanilla compared to more feature-rich systems
- Limited depth in combat and micro-skill diversity
- Can be slower due to emphasis on discussion and deduction
- Base book may require supplements to sustain longer campaigns
Thematic elements
- Cozy mystery with an eldritch horror undercurrent; warm, character-driven whodunits
- Small New England town of Brindlewood Bay; elderly murder-mavens book club solving self-contained mysteries
- episodic, collaborative investigation with no single fixed solution
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clue gathering and theorizing — Investigation relies on dialogue, suspects, and environmental clues; no fixed required solutions
- Critical Hits and Failures — Roll 2d6, add modifiers; 6 or less = fail, 7–9 = partial success with a complication, 10–11 = standard success, 12+ = special/bonus success
- Dark conspiracy as campaign spine — Overarching eldritch conspiracy ties mysteries together and scales across sessions
- Deduction — Investigation relies on dialogue, suspects, and environmental clues; no fixed required solutions
- Maven and Keeper moves — Mavens have unique powers; the Keeper uses predefined moves to guide scenes and reveal clues
- Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) resolution — Roll 2d6, add modifiers; 6 or less = fail, 7–9 = partial success with a complication, 10–11 = standard success, 12+ = special/bonus success
- Theorizing and collaborative solving — Players craft explanations by integrating clues; a theory-driven process rather than a linear path
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Brindlewood Bay is a perfect starter RPG for people looking to run RPGs.
- The Powered by the Apocalypse system is wonderfully simple and straightforward.
- It's a nice straightforward RPG because players are familiar with the concept of a murder mystery.
- There’s nothing quite like dropping your first void clue on your players... and watching them go WTF.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wrp1cwbLJSA
Board Of It Top 10 List at 2:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28653 · mention_pk 84014
Click to watch at 2:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fun, humorous role-playing murder mystery
- works well as a special occasion game
- strong thematic tone
Cons
- requires consistent group availability and organization
- not ideal for frequent play due to logistics
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- review is more of a snapshot of a game in time than something that will last forever
- Cult of the new we get a new game in from Kickstarter... we want to play this
- it's evergreen for us probably like Ultimate Railroads
- the app integration in Return to Dark Tower is probably the best board game app I've seen
- Return to Dark Tower... the toy factor is strong, but the new expansion Covenant didn't change how I feel about the base game
References (from this video)
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