Drifter Series Review | Peak narrative fun

I am fascinated with gamified narrative. The Drifter is some of the best I've encountered. What can you expect from the full game experience? Watch to find out.
My recently released novella - amzn.to/3TcLZQ4
Games mentioned:
The Drifter - preview.drivet...
Star Drifter - preview.drivet...
Spire's End Hildegard - www.spiresend....
Sword of the Bastard Elf - amzn.to/3IBxh01
Fabled Lands - amzn.to/3PdkWD4
Four Against Darkness - amzn.to/3IwbTJO
2D6 Dungeon - preview.drivet...
Five Leagues from the Borderland - preview.drivet...
Amazon links are affiliate links

[@glowingturtle9673]

Very much appreciated! I’m glad you managed to find some enjoyment out of the two games! Your points are very fair and certainly fall in line with my intentions! It is supposed to feel like a movie and you are sort of piecing the connection of the Events to your own narrative! I’m glad that was your observation as well!
I think of The Drifter games as a kind of palate cleanser to one’s usual games. They are certainly the furthest things from chess lol. Easy to setup, easy to play, roll dice and on your way!
Thanks again!!

[@JAlanRykerGames]

I had a great time playing your games! It's the sort where, for me, the piecing together of a unique story happened naturally in my subconscious, which I think is the most satisfying narrative experience, but one of the least common. I'm looking forward to your future projects!

[@jonio2210]

Thanks for this review. They've both on my maybe list so this definitely helps push me to a yes. I think I'm in the same narrative level of games as you seem to be.

[@YnasMidgardNaule]

A fair and informed review! I came to similar conclusions on my blog, although I underemphasised the ephemeral nature of the map (as you explain it yourself, it's less apparent in The Drifter). However, the sheer variety of things that can happen is mind-blowing. I had a session that just went on and on for about 80 minutes with only minimal progress before my character bit the dust, but I also had one that I won in 15.
I have Star Drifter, but I have yet to play it (I've been busy working through my backlog of gamebooks), but I imagine it's even more varied as the sci-fi milieu is intrinsically more open.
And the price, as you point out, is ridiculously low considering what you get.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

You're right, the variety is really crazy. As I rewatched this after posting, I felt like saying each had 250 entries felt a bit misleading, as each of those entries is split into either 6 or 10 possibilities! These games are huge

[@perplexingruins]

this was a great breakdown of these. been eyeing them both for a while. I wonder if you've much experience playing solo rpgs. the emergent narrative is always there, but player agency is the playing itself!

[@JAlanRykerGames]

Thanks for commenting! Your videos on the Dungeon Dive are some of my favorites.
I've done solo rpg only in the most gamified ways: 2D6 Dungeon, 4 Against Darkness (a lot of 4AD). Also skirmish games like 5 Leagues from the Borderlands, which gives that gamified focus of the battle. When it becomes story creation, as a novelist, I want to just write the story down. I do intend to use some solo journaling rpgs in this way in the future, like Wretched & Alone. This year I plan to play Warlord Ascendent, Forbidden Psalm (Mork Borg) and Doomed!, since those have that skirmish core. Then also Six Crowns in Hell which seems structured from the description. And Broken Shores to go more in the direction that I think you're talking about.
I've been very interested in Fallen. Do you think there are any supplements that especially help gamify for solo play?

[@perplexingruins]

@@JAlanRykerGames Dungeon Dive is an excellent show! I just received forbidden psalm and very excited for that one. 5 Leagues is high on my try list. I feel taking something like 4AD to the next level via world adventuring would be a great sweet spot. I published free solo sheets, that basically do this, but you choose the rpg of your choice pretty much. Melv Li You Tube did a cool video gamifying Fallen! suggest googling that. Also, there is a solo zine to help. It's also very oracle heavy to facilitate solo play. Cheers - happy to have discovered your channel!

[@bernan1]

Have you tried the Dr Who Solitaire Story game by Simon Cogan? (free on BGG) I tried the 1st edition...the rules were a bit tough, but damn...what a ride. One of the most in depth games based on a series I've ever played.
Now they're on the 3rd edition which I haven't looked into yet.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

that looks cool!