Critical Role is in the UK through its publishing arm, Darrington Press, which has a booth at the UK Games Expo. I don’t think anyone famous is here, though. Well, not from Critical Role.
The tabletop company’s redux of For the Queen is out, but hard to find here in the UK. However, it’s good news for UKGE goers as purchases of the often dark freeform storytelling card game come with six extra queen cards. Outside the US, I’m told these are exclusive-to-UKGE.
I picked up a copy and now have a swanky x-card to boot.
“For the Queen” is a collaborative storytelling card game designed for 2-6 players. The game revolves around a queen embarking on a perilous journey, and the players assume the roles of her loyal retinue.
For the Queen Gameplay:
- Setup: Players select a queen card from a set of beautifully illustrated options or create their own. They also shuffle a deck of prompt cards, each containing a question designed to spark storytelling.
- Turns: Players take turns drawing prompt cards and answering the questions, weaving a narrative about the queen, her companions, and their adventures. The questions delve into themes of love, betrayal, doubt, and devotion, encouraging players to explore the relationships and motivations of their characters.
- Collaboration: While one player answers the prompt, others can ask follow-up questions or offer suggestions to deepen the storytelling experience. However, the player answering the prompt has the final say in how they shape their narrative.
- X-Card: The game includes an X-Card, which any player can use to veto a question or answer if it makes them uncomfortable. This ensures a safe and inclusive playing environment.
- Conclusion: The game culminates when the “The Queen is under attack” card is drawn. Players answer this final question, deciding whether or not they will defend their queen, thus concluding the story.
Here’s why I think the game has been so popular. Popular enough, at least, for Darrington Press to pick it up.
The prompts encourage players to delve into the complexities of their characters, revealing their motivations, relationships, and personal struggles. In my experience, it often gets dark, although it does not need to be. The game explores themes of love, betrayal, and devotion, creating a narrative rich in emotional depth and resonance.
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