Elena Erasmi
Before we dive into this review of 12 Days of XXXMas, I would like to thank Phoenix Gray for sending us the complete boxed set of this very unique Christmas-themed Lewd Dungeon Adventure collection.
If after reading this review you are interested in purchasing, you can contact the author via her social channels and the Kickstarter page.
Do you like adventures full of humor, fantasy and a pinch of eroticism? Then 12 Days of XXXMas will definitely be for you. The setting is intriguing and the characters, often eccentric creatures, will have to face very “particular” challenges. To appreciate this collection you will have to think outside the box.
Review of 12 Days of XXXMas: the Setting
All the stories featured in 12 Days of XXXMas are set in a fantasy universe. A setting full of sensuality and Christmas spirit, certainly suitable for an adult audience.
The manual offers us 12 adventures, and to play you will only need the character sheet (provided within the manual) and our creativity. These 12 stories are set in well-characterized scenarios, such as the Grinlich’s lair, the snowy village of Snowvale or the magical Realms of the Snow Globe. In each of them we will be offered challenges that will stimulate our creativity and encourage us to cooperate with the rest of the group or with our gaming partner.
The atmosphere throughout the manual is playful and cheeky. In fact, we want to reinterpret the traditional themes of the winter holidays in an adult way. Classic elements (such as Christmas) will be intertwined with paradoxical situations. Among the various characters we will be able to meet, I want to mention the gift-stealing goblins, the ice giants and the racing reindeer. Sexual magic is also present. It is a central element, but also a key to resolving some situations and influencing NPCs.
The setting encourages improvisation, making use of in-depth descriptions, detailed maps and suggestive objects. Every corner of this world offers an experience outside the traditional mold of role-playing games, perfect for those who want to explore this type of narrative.
The story I appreciated most among the 12 proposals is certainly The Winter Celebration, written by Philip A. This one in fact has truly intriguing peculiarities. If you defeat the pit fighter, he will give you a book related to a very particular language. In the introduction we are also presented with the recipe for a drink that can be used in the alcoholic version of the game.
Few and Simple Mechanics
The world of 12 Days of XXXMas is described as a place full of contrasts: joyful villages full of lights and decorations, but also enchanted forests and dark caves. The narrator (or Deity, as he is called in the game) will have to create the story for the players, or rather, the player. In fact, this is an experience designed mainly for couples, given the themes. However, it can also be adapted for larger groups of players. The task of the characters, who will be real heroes, is to fight monsters, complete missions and uncover mysteries.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, we are provided with a sheet within the manual. Here we will find various information about the character we are going to play. Your name, race, health level, and other information about your possessions, such as weapons and armor. For each type of weapon presented, a description is provided and the relevant type of damage is indicated. We are really given a lot of freedom when creating the character to favor the narrative aspect of the game. There are also different types of spells, unlimited and limited. The manual provides us with a list of both. By taking hits or suffering spells, characters will lose levels of health and potentially lead to death.
For more information regarding the resolution of the tests and the progression in the narrative, I refer you to our review of another product by the same author: Lewd Dungeon Adventures.
One thing I definitely appreciated was the vivid suggestion to do a zero session and set up some security tools before you start playing. These include lines and veils, discussing various player triggers, and setting a safeword to stop play. The manual also reminds us that the primary objective of the game is fun.
The Contents of the Box Set
In the box we received there are various products that enrich the gaming experience. This in fact contains:
- The 12 Days of XXXMas Hardcover Handbook;
- A set of custom dice with the game logo;
- 2D cardboard miniatures of various characters;
- Plastic stands for miniatures;
- A deck of game cards;
- Curious stickers to place on the manual.
Gamers who, like me, love being able to browse the physical manual and have different game props in their hands, will particularly appreciate this package.
Review of 12 Days of XXXMas: the Aesthetic of the Handbook
The aesthetics of the manual are captivating and very accurate. Although most of the illustrations are generated through the use of AI, Bad Moon Art Studio, Map Studio and We Ren collaborated on the creation. Human retouching has made it possible to create works without the errors typical of images created by artificial intelligence. The main characteristics of these adventures are humor and sensuality, which transpire through the images in the manual.
Given the printing restrictions of some explicit elements in the illustrations, stickers are added that can be placed in the manual at the corresponding point. Definitely an imaginative solution.
To embellish the pages of the volume we can see Christmas-themed frames. The contrast generated by warm colors such as red and gold contrasted with the cold white and blue make the illustrations very vivid. There are some valuable maps created by Synced and Phoenix Gray in the manual. They provide players with a useful tool for immersion and exploration of scenes. Some examples are the representations of mysterious caves and snowy villages.
The style of the illustrations is varied: we find some realistic images and others more cartoonish. The main characters of the stories, the various explorable environments and other atmospheric elements are represented. Clearly, decidedly explicit details are also represented, but the delicacy with which they are treated allows them to never fall into vulgarity.
Conclusions of the 12 Days of XXXMas review
Concluding this review, I would like to say that 12 Days of XXXMas is an excellent product, which stands out for its originality in the themes covered. In this manual you will find a combination of more classic role-playing game elements and adult themes; this, however, without ever falling into the vulgar.
The illustrations in the volume certainly contribute to making the atmosphere lively. Although the style of the images and descriptions is at times very “realistic”, the tone remains accessible even in the most explicit moments. Clearly, in these stories more than ever, the complicity of the players is what makes it fun.
I recommend 12 Days of XXXMas to couples and groups who love the genre and are looking for an unconventional gaming experience. Furthermore, the use of security tools allows you to play with peace of mind. It will definitely be the right collection of adventures for you if you want to spend a carefree evening, full of fun and a little spicy.
