In this review we will talk about VHS: Very Horror Story, a RPG that takes us to relive the classic horror films of the 70s/80s. The product is published in Italian and English by Aces Games, which we thank for sending us some VHS to be able to write this review; we recommend you to follow them on their Facebook, Instagram and on their official website to discover many new projects.
A real peculiarity is the division of the product into “videotapes”; these are three, each independent, and concerning a different horror genre. In particular we find Bloodlust,Overplague and Unchained. The physical version of each costs 26.90 euros, while the alternative is the digital format at 15 euros. We also point out the physical horror pack, with all the VHS at 79.90 euros (and its digital version at 45 euros).
Screaming Aesthetics
The aesthetics of VHS make you scream with joy. Each of the three videotapes contains tabs, rules and game maps, making them completely independent. The truly amazing aspect is the aesthetic realization; every time you take one in hand it seems to handle a real one, a relic of our childhood. In addition, the way they are decorated (based on the theme), is very intriguing and is a symptom of great care. Given the structure and function of the box, they cannot be too rigid and therefore care must be taken to handle them, especially when storing materials.
Speaking instead of the illustrations, I admit to having been completely bewitched! The artistic style is perfectly suited to the tones of the game and all artists deserve compliments. In the arts we find survivors, horrible demons, extremely human murderers, gloomy forests, dark swamps and much more. As you can see from the images included in this review, the monsters of VHS know how to scare and fascinate at the same time!
Another advantage is the quality of the game maps, detailed, precise in detail and made with resistant paper. On the back of each of them we find a summary of the rules, very useful to not always have to resort to the manual.
Finally, an applause goes to the entire graphic aspect of the manual; the excellent choice of colors and the use of bold and italics allow a comfortable reading in which to get lost. The only note concerns the size of the fonts; since the overall size is small, they are also slightly small.
Review of VHS Structure and Writing
As we have already said, VHS offers three videotapes, each related to a different shade of horror. They are independent of each other and each has its own game rules, maps, monsters and characters, including dedicated tokens.
The VHS available are:
- Bloodlust: : Inspired by the slashers of the 80s/90s, featuring ruthless assassins from which to escape through dangerous swamps and forests.
- Unchained: Dedicated to horror films with supernatural elements (such as Hellraiser), you will face cults, demons and other horrors in foggy towns and ancient mansions.
- Overplague: refers to the sci-fi genre ( Alientype), which will put you in front of aliens and cosmic horrors in places where no one can hear you scream.
In the manual we find, in addition to the game mechanics, also the Films (the scenarios), a part dedicated to the characters and one to the monsters.
The writing is simple and accessible, very direct and curated. Also at the beginning we find the security measures and advice on how to manage the horror in the sessions; this is definitely a plus, given the themes of the game.
The entire manual is full of quotations and references, which make reading even more fascinating.
VHS writing is done with care and attention to detail, ensuring an excellent product from this point of view.
Rules for Surviving
The VHS mechanics has been able to win me over: simple, immediate but with the ability to return the atmospheres of inspiration.
Both monsters and our heroes have 4 Parameters:
- Strength: used for tests that require physical effort.
- Agility: Used when coordination in movements and reflexes is needed.
- Mind: Dedicated to what concerns intelligence and acumen.
- Charisma: for all cases in which you have to relate to others or impose your will.
To perform a test, two 6-sided dice are rolled and, if the result is less than or equal to the Parameter, then the test is passed; the Director (the master) can give bonuses or maluses depending on the circumstances. Monsters follow the same shooting mechanics.
In case of failure, once per session, the player can press the REW button (rewind) and withdraw the dice to try to succeed.
We therefore find a simple and very effective regulation, capable of giving sessions without curling up in abstruse mechanics and enjoying the emotions of a vintage horror film.
The Protagonists (or Sacrificial Victims)
In VHS we play the protagonists of a horror film, unfortunate people who happen in bad, very bad situations.
Each Protagonist is defined by Parameters and Traits.
The Parameters, as we have already seen, are used for the Trials; each parameter will have 3 different values, depending on the Mental State of the character: Calm, Fear and Shock. Calm is the state of departure of our protagonist, but if a disturbing event happens (such as the appearance of a Monster), our Character passes into a state of Fear; this mechanic varies the Parameters and possibilities of each PG. After all, terror can bring out an unexpected force or a providential capacity for adaptation. Instead the Shock state is reached when our Protagonist finishes the Instability points; representing the moment when events take over the character. This state brings considerable disadvantages, not surprisingly few strokes can be used and the Parameters will be weakened.
Traits are abilities that the protagonists can use; each Trait is linked to a Parameter and when it is activated, a test on that parameter will be necessary. Traits range from Escape Skills to Combat Skills, giving unpredictability and variety to the regulation.
Then each character has an Instability and Wounds score; the latter indicate the lives of our characters and, if exhausted, will lead to their death.
In each VHS we find various sets of pregenerated protagonists, but the manual also includes the rules to create them easily and quickly. The pre-generated ones are all interesting and well characterized ;they look like they came out of a horror movie!
Special Skill and Equipment
Our Protagonists alsohave a Special Skill, which allows them to overcome even the most complex situations. Each pregenerated character has its own unique Special Ability, completely different from the others; some examples are: Protect the Customer, which gives us bonuses in helping our companions, or Calm Formula, which amplifies the effects of medical kits.
In short, these Skills are what give pepper to the Characters, also allowing to reverse the most difficult situations; in the manual we also find a detailed explanation on how to create our Special Skills so that they are balanced.
Then there is the Equipment, or the tools that can save our heroes. In the manual we find many, ranging from firearms to tranquilizers, ensuring an additional level of variety.
In addition to the items in the inventory at the beginning of the session, our casualties will be able to find additional ones; looking in the area where they are may have nice surprises, but this could attract unwanted attention. The mechanism of finding and obtaining objects is very simple and dynamic and is based on the Director’s shot on a table.
The Monsters
Monsters on VHS are terrifying, intriguing and memorable. We are not only talking about the aesthetic aspect, but also about the characterization. They are not mere dolls to escape from or defeat; they are real characters with their stories, skills, strengths and weaknesses. Among the pregenerated we find crazy serial killers returned from death, such as Edmund Carving, and demons, such as The Eyes Devil.
Monsters have the same Protagonist Parameters, as well as their own Traits, Wounds, Equipment and a Special Ability; the difference is that Monsters possess the Fear Counter, a reserve of points (maximum 10) that the Monster can spend to activate special abilities or use some Traits (such as Appearing in an Area and Hiding). These points are earned in a variety of ways, such as when a protagonist switches from a state of calm to a state of fear, or when the antagonist tortures or kills someone.
Another interesting feature of monsters is the Fetishes; these are elements that players can find and use against monsters to gain an advantage. Each Fetish is tied to the Monster’s story and is a great way to make it even more believable.
In the manual we also find the procedure to create your own monster in a simple but profound way, so as to increase the longevity of this role-playing game.
VHS Main Sets Review
Now let’s see the Main Sets, that is, the environments where we will go to live our adventures. Each Main Set is divided into zones; each of which may have extra items, called Accessory Sets, that vary depending on the adventure. For example, in an area of a swamp we can find a corpse or in a spaceship invaded by mutant vegetation there may be survivors; we can also find the Static Elements that is fixed points such as hills, rivers, bridges and much more. These details are constant and can be used for various purposes.
The protagonists will be able to move through these sets in two ways: Exploration or Cautious Movement. The first allows you to find an object but activates the Tension Event. Each Area has a Tension Level, which represents how dangerous it is on a scale of 3 to 11; each time a protagonist moves into Exploration, the master will have to make a roll and, if he exceeds the Tension Level, a random event is triggered that can go from a flock of birds that rise in flight to the appearance of the Monster. If our heroes move into Cautious Movement, they will not find items but will not trigger the Tension Event.
I can therefore say that the Main Sets system allows you to manage the maps in a playful and dynamic way, so as to keep everyone on the edge of the razor. I would like to point out that in the manual there is a way to create your own Main Sets.
VHS Movies and Solo Mode
In VHS the Movies are the adventures that we are going to play; in each of the three VHS there are a dozen prefects, guaranteeing a large number of hours of gameplay.
All the films are inspired by one or more horror films and they are all… scary! Thanks to a good combination of clichés, well-made PNGs and quotes, they can give the same emotions as the horror films we love.
Each film indicates the number of minutes needed to complete it, all the indications on how to build the Main Set and its accessories and on how the monster involved behaves. Each is structured like a sandbox; we therefore find a beginning and various possibilities of escape or salvation for our heroes, leaving great freedom of interpretation to the players and the Director.
In the manual there is a wide explanation on how to create and manage a Film, so as to further increase the hours of fun. But the real strength is that each film is ready to play in a few minutes, perfect solution for a group that must meet and close the session in one evening.
Finally there is also the Solo Mode, a mode that works through the help of random tables and allows you to play almost all the films alone; and alone no one will hear you scream!
VHS Review Conclusions
To conclude this review, I can safely say that VHS is a great product from various points of view: playful, artistic and production; you see that it is a product made with the heart (although it will make you miss a few beats) and with love towards the genre to which it is inspired; all this is supported by a simple, fast and immediate system, which allows anyone to start playing and having fun without effort.
The large amount of materials already supplied is certainly a plus, because it allows you to start playing immediately, without any preparation. Moreover, given its mechanics inspired by board games, I can guarantee that it will certainly be appreciated even by lovers of this playful genre.
VHS is definitely a must-have in every horror-loving gamer’s collection! But be careful because the first scream could also be the last…..