Elena Erasmi
Before starting the review of Incubo di Natale, the Christmas one-shot of the investigative role-playing game ArmaKitten, I wanted to thank MS Edizioni and the author for sending us this nice adventure.
It is free with the physical or digital copy of the ArmaKitten basic manual. You can find it on the MS Edizioni website.
I also remind you that on our website you can read the review of the basic manual. There you can find useful information on the game’s mechanics and other setting elements.
Review of the Incubo di Natale Graphics
The first thing I can say is that this Christmas-themed one-shot is laid out really well. Suitable colours have been chosen; purple always prevails, but the yellow lights and a few stars make everything more cheerful and carefree. The photos of the agents, dogs and humans are very nice; in short, we should have fun or am I wrong?
The font used is suitable, its size is correct; your bipedal friends thank you. The paragraphs are the right length and positioned correctly.
The Plot and Key Points of the Story
We know, cats and Christmas decorations don’t go together very well. Those beautiful balls attached to the tree, the lights that flash intermittently… They really deserve to be filled with scratches and played with!
The plot of the story is really simple and easy to understand. The agents will have to break into the festively decorated house, full of objects to drop; after a reconnaissance tour, they will find a window through which they can pass to enter. Subsequently, the module provides various challenges that agents can face, at the discretion of the narrator. I will now mention some that are dear to me: the water test, the laser creeper, and the village. Personally, the one I appreciated the most is the first of those mentioned, given that cats and water have always been bitter enemies.
Mechanics for Facing Challenges
This one-shot is played using the rules found in the ArmaKitten basic manual.
Along the form you will find several clearly visible boxes that represent the challenges to be faced; you will recognize them by the words “Try!”. The box describes the type of test that the agent or agents will have to face with the relative roll to be made. The relevant consequences in case of failure of the test are also described, if any.
Final Considerations of the Incubo di Natale Review
Incubo di Natale is certainly a very thematic one-shot and perfect for the Christmas holidays, but with the necessary modifications by the narrator, it can also be adapted to other periods of the year and circumstances. It is not a long campaign that will take several weeks, but it can be used as an interlude in a more complex plot or even just to spend an evening in a different way.
ArmaKitten is a game that works; I’m not referring to the mechanics, but just the basic idea; cats who rebel against humans never get tired. After all, cats have always wanted to rebel against bipeds (and dogs, obviously).
I recommend this one-shot to anyone, really anyone; Christmas and cat lovers will certainly appreciate it more, but I’m sure it can give special and fun moments to other players too.
