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nice narrative card game, a little sad but that's the point
It's my first time reading a card game and now I feel like it's time to start playing.
The first page is one of the best I read in this jam. I want to know a lot more about Vukica.
I wasn’t prepared for elaborate card game rules, but what I see is, that you stay on theme throughout, up to having an empty chair at the table in the requiered materials.
I will save this, but I will also follow you in the hope that somewhen more about this world is discovered.
Makes me want to play more card games. In this jam, it’s utterly unique and highly playable. Amazing work.
Thanks! Yeah, I've really been enjoying thinking about card mechanics lately. They've got a familiarity to them with how ubiquitous card games are, so it's almost like this shared language that is easy for people to just 'get'.
This feels like a folktale, for all the good reasons!
Thank you! I was really leaning hard into that folktale vibe, so I'm glad it landed.
Fascinating game. Cheers for peasant drama (and yet we took very different roads to get there)!
I’m in the same boat as Junkyard insofar as trick-taking lingo is concerned—but I do feel strongly that, sitting down to play, I can puzzle this out. I like your reference sheet particularly. I also think your introduction is strong (“foreign armies cross the valley like weather”), and the years-long envelope gives incredible opportunity to characterize the Bukavac over time (is it even a monster, I asked, or if I were to play, would it be something altogether more horribly human?).
If I were to ask anything more of this game, it’d be to characterize the setting a bit more. You get a lot out of your introduction and the different Slavic rituals, but given that daily life will inevitably define so much of Vukica’s sense of purpose and self, I found myself wondering after how her valley regards her, how alone she really is. These questions are great jumping-off points to start the journal, but I think a bit of extra design could really exacerbate the conflict and make it richer. Strong stuff <3
Thank you for the feedback. When I originally wrote the premise, I decided to keep the setting vague so as to not get bogged down in historical weight. I wanted the player to feel like they can be free when creating their own stories and not worry about if it is 'lore-correct'. But then Vukica emerged from my own playtesting, and by including her, I've gone against this rule. So calling this out has been useful, thank you. I do like the idea of building out the valley, will add that to my list of features to add. An you're now the second person to mention the trick-taking lingo, so will definitely add some more accessible descriptions.
One of the most unique entries. One read and I already knew what I was looking for and how to play. Incredible elegance and game. Looking forward to play this.
Thankyou, I really appreciate the kind words! Once you get time to play a few rounds, I'd love to get your thoughts on what worked for you and what didn't.
Interesting game. Reminds me of The Quiet Year in a way, although extremely different. I think the game assumes a knowledge of playing card lingo that I lack, so I am not sure I totally get it... but would be a cool game to be shown in person how it works. I do like the prompts and random table, offering the role play elements, and the fact that it is a solo game is very ambitious for this jam.
Thanks for checking it out. That's fair criticism. I have assumed the reader is familiar with trick-taking games. Which terms did you struggle with? I would love to refine any of this to make it more accessible.
I could probably do a bunch of internet searches and slowly figure out the game! I am not familiar with trick-taking games. I also did not know that a standard set of playing cards is a French set! So, maybe I know less than the average nerd gamer, I am not sure. It might be helpful to create a cheat sheet or link to a site that explains all the basics. I think your game is probably pretty good (the theme is well done!), it is fair to assume a foundation of knowledge that I just don't happen to have.
Sleeper hit. Great game, there's something really lyrical about it
Thank you mate. Appreciate the support.