(2:48) Just claim your character heard a song on some weird old looking "radio thing" (with vacuum tubes, of course) that that quit working right after you heard the DJ say the name of the song. I know it sounds like something more from the Amazon series, but...you know. ;)
You explained this with such care and enthusiasm. Thank you! This is the only RPG that has ever appealed to me. The board game coming out soon (as I'm commenting 3 years after you posted this vid) is what caught my eye first. But I really love Simon Stålenhag's art and the RPG book shows way more of it then the board game. You have really piqued my interest. I wonder, how are folks playing this during this time of covid? Can this be played solo? I know that sounds weird as I'm sure much of this game is enjoyed by playing with others, with all the characters, but I play a lot of games solo these days. I don't like being on a computer to play games. I know there is a starter kit for this now too and I'm wondering, do I get that or jump right into the full experience. Anyway, thanks again.
I choose to play a Weirdo from 1981 who "loops" back to 1980 to play in your "specifically 1980" campaign, and I bring with me my favorite (theme) song, "Believe It Or Not" from The Greatest American Hero. Thanks for letting me know this game is out there. I am going to buy it. (And thanks for stealing "Take On Me," you thief.)
I think I'd like to use this setting with Call of Cthulhu. I'm not a fan of zero-consequence gaming: characters should be able to lose their sanity or die - or be infected by an alien brain parasite that makes them a spore-zombie that'll try to infect the world.
One thing you forgot to mention: The infos on the setting are seriously lacking. I know it's all meant to be a mystery, but you don't even get many starting points from which to develop your own ideas. Wondering what's the deal with all the rusty junk in the artwork or why perfectly functional gauss freighters float around the landscape, unused? I don't recall anything in the book explaining it. Taking out the introduction chapter, the chapter on the US Loop, and the Campaign Mode Landscape later in the book (all of which are not that detailed in the first place), the description of the Sweden setting fits onto 19 pages (yes). And these pages have a lot of big artwork. I point to Blades in the Dark for a game that describes its setting very little, but just enough for the reader to get excited and come up with all sorts of ideas.
If you grab Simon Stalenhag's art book of the same name 'Tales from the loop', which has many of the same images, but also has text accompanying it, this does really flesh out a lot more. I would consider it a sourcebook for the game. It is really good for the players to leaf through too but I would advise discretion.
Well, in that case i do understand, on an economic side, why the rpg doesn't have that much information. Still, you're getting too little for what you're paying for (good thing i got hold of a misprint and only spent 20 bucks). How reviewers seem to be fine with that worries me truly though.
Not sure that's a fair assessment. I see what you're saying - you want to know what an echo sphere is, what the machinery is about, it's origins, etc. But just as fairly I would say that's completely up to you, and perhaps that's even better, because you get to create backstory or use. The world is yours. If you are aware, Simon Stalenhag is the digital artist who is responsible, and created the overall backstory through his art books. The RPG came later when a group of writers realised a good game system and setting could be constructed on the framework Stalenhag had already set out. I think you're getting a lot of value, which is opposite to what you think, because the setting is very fertile - it seeds ideas that you or I can build on. That's what I like about it. None of the mysteries are very well explained and you think that's negative while I think that's a positive, as it gives me the freedom to create depth. Perhaps amazon has a used copy of his art book and you could keep things affordable doing that.
"None of the mysteries are very well explained and you think that's negative while I think that's a positive, as it gives me the freedom to create depth." No, that's not my position. I think a good role playing setting should give enough information while at the same time not give too much away. By finding a balance, it ensures that the reader is inspired by what's there to come up with own ideas. Again, Blades in the Dark is great in that respect. For example there's a place in there called Tangletown, which is a cluster of boats and houses floating around a ship that sunk there in the past. The gangs of the city the game is set in don't fight each other there. But what if someone breaks the rules? How much influence has the city guard there? Why did the leviathan hunter, the ship in the middle of Tangletown, sink in the first place? Already, you're asking questions. Already, you're being creative without much input - but instead just the right amount of input - by the game. Meanwhile, Tales from the Loop tells me that Echo Spheres exist and that Kungsberga has a kiosk. F'ing great! I'm not saying that TftL doesn't do this at all, but it's rare, and in my opinion, the game simply isn't well written in that respect.
Gnarrkhaz well okay. You’re the first to really criticise it in this regard and this is especially anomalous for a game that has come so highly reviewed. Does anyone else share your opinion?
First : Aha - take on me, song from my country 😄 Norway Second : Found the book in stock in a norwegian bookshop online 👍 I'm not a big tabletop role playing kind of guy but this looked easy enough that I could gather a couple of friends and my wife - and run them trough a couple of stories! So question, how many players would make a good experience? I could easily gather three players (wife included) and I could be the game master, should I try to get four players or is three good enough for a good experience?
To celebrate the release of the OUT OF TIME campaign module, the digital version of our multiple award-winning TALES FROM THE LOOP core game is now completely FREE for ONE DAY at DrivethruRPG: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/210617/Tales-from-the-Loop-RPG-Rulebook?cPath=27806_27789 The offer expires Friday October 11. You can find OUT OF TIME at DrivethruRPG as well, and in physical format in the Free League webshop, where we are currently running a massive SALE on all things TALES FROM THE LOOP - up to 50% OFF! frialigan.se/en/store/ [Swedish] Även den svenska utgåvan av UR VARSELKLOTET - ROLLSPELET är nu gratis på DrivethruRPG, och rean på fysiska produkter pågår även i vår svenska webshop: frialigan.se/sv/butik/ The Tales from the Loop RPG, based on the narrative artbook by Simon Stålenhag that is currently being adapted for television by Amazon Prime, won five ENnie Awards in 2017 including Best Game, Best Setting, Best Writing and Product of the Year. “RPG Tales from the Loop lets you channel Stranger Things and E.T.” - The Verge "Tales from the Loop RPG Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again." - IO9 “Tales from the Loop is both exciting and emotional, fantastical and realistic, and is unlike any other game on my shelf." - Geek & Sundry
mmmm the iconic item, where bad stuff can't ever destroy it seems to lower tension and lesson the stakes, two things that I think would be bad for a good story. How am I wrong about this? I really want to get this game but little noogly rules like those pull me away from this game.
Well you can lose other stuff you pick up, nothing is to say your family is safe or not turbulent. I think an item isn't the based place to create tension in a rpg anyway so its a minor really. It functions as a class mechanic, you wouldn't take that from a player in other rpgs? Like removing a ability to summon a familiar or taking away an animal companion thats tied to class.
Love the artist's work, didn't realize he made an RPG. Can't wait to check it out.
(2:48) Just claim your character heard a song on some weird old looking "radio thing" (with vacuum tubes, of course) that that quit working right after you heard the DJ say the name of the song. I know it sounds like something more from the Amazon series, but...you know. ;)
Great review, our entire family love the 80s. My son who’s 9 is obsessed with Stranger Things. Can’t wait to get a copy.
Your 9 year old son watches Stranger Things?
Also song: Train in Vain by the Clash, tied with This Is Radio Clash (ibid)
I've never actually ever played an analog RPG but this game sounds pretty cool
å
You explained this with such care and enthusiasm. Thank you! This is the only RPG that has ever appealed to me. The board game coming out soon (as I'm commenting 3 years after you posted this vid) is what caught my eye first. But I really love Simon Stålenhag's art and the RPG book shows way more of it then the board game. You have really piqued my interest.
I wonder, how are folks playing this during this time of covid? Can this be played solo? I know that sounds weird as I'm sure much of this game is enjoyed by playing with others, with all the characters, but I play a lot of games solo these days. I don't like being on a computer to play games. I know there is a starter kit for this now too and I'm wondering, do I get that or jump right into the full experience.
Anyway, thanks again.
Really wish I had a group to play this with
What's the difference with the book with the ennies win seal on it?
Great review! Wish you guys would do more Analog!
I choose to play a Weirdo from 1981 who "loops" back to 1980 to play in your "specifically 1980" campaign, and I bring with me my favorite (theme) song, "Believe It Or Not" from The Greatest American Hero.
Thanks for letting me know this game is out there. I am going to buy it. (And thanks for stealing "Take On Me," you thief.)
Aw ye, good review. Would love to see more reviews on RPG books.
my song would be (Another One Bites the Dust - Queen) and I'd play the weirdo
I think I'd like to use this setting with Call of Cthulhu. I'm not a fan of zero-consequence gaming: characters should be able to lose their sanity or die - or be infected by an alien brain parasite that makes them a spore-zombie that'll try to infect the world.
It will be more similar to a Stranger Things setting. Like it.
One thing you forgot to mention: The infos on the setting are seriously lacking. I know it's all meant to be a mystery, but you don't even get many starting points from which to develop your own ideas. Wondering what's the deal with all the rusty junk in the artwork or why perfectly functional gauss freighters float around the landscape, unused? I don't recall anything in the book explaining it. Taking out the introduction chapter, the chapter on the US Loop, and the Campaign Mode Landscape later in the book (all of which are not that detailed in the first place), the description of the Sweden setting fits onto 19 pages (yes). And these pages have a lot of big artwork.
I point to Blades in the Dark for a game that describes its setting very little, but just enough for the reader to get excited and come up with all sorts of ideas.
If you grab Simon Stalenhag's art book of the same name 'Tales from the loop', which has many of the same images, but also has text accompanying it, this does really flesh out a lot more. I would consider it a sourcebook for the game. It is really good for the players to leaf through too but I would advise discretion.
Well, in that case i do understand, on an economic side, why the rpg doesn't have that much information. Still, you're getting too little for what you're paying for (good thing i got hold of a misprint and only spent 20 bucks). How reviewers seem to be fine with that worries me truly though.
Not sure that's a fair assessment. I see what you're saying - you want to know what an echo sphere is, what the machinery is about, it's origins, etc. But just as fairly I would say that's completely up to you, and perhaps that's even better, because you get to create backstory or use. The world is yours.
If you are aware, Simon Stalenhag is the digital artist who is responsible, and created the overall backstory through his art books.
The RPG came later when a group of writers realised a good game system and setting could be constructed on the framework Stalenhag had already set out.
I think you're getting a lot of value, which is opposite to what you think, because the setting is very fertile - it seeds ideas that you or I can build on. That's what I like about it. None of the mysteries are very well explained and you think that's negative while I think that's a positive, as it gives me the freedom to create depth.
Perhaps amazon has a used copy of his art book and you could keep things affordable doing that.
"None of the mysteries are very well explained and you think that's negative while I think that's a positive, as it gives me the freedom to create depth."
No, that's not my position. I think a good role playing setting should give enough information while at the same time not give too much away. By finding a balance, it ensures that the reader is inspired by what's there to come up with own ideas.
Again, Blades in the Dark is great in that respect. For example there's a place in there called Tangletown, which is a cluster of boats and houses floating around a ship that sunk there in the past. The gangs of the city the game is set in don't fight each other there. But what if someone breaks the rules? How much influence has the city guard there? Why did the leviathan hunter, the ship in the middle of Tangletown, sink in the first place? Already, you're asking questions. Already, you're being creative without much input - but instead just the right amount of input - by the game.
Meanwhile, Tales from the Loop tells me that Echo Spheres exist and that Kungsberga has a kiosk. F'ing great! I'm not saying that TftL doesn't do this at all, but it's rare, and in my opinion, the game simply isn't well written in that respect.
Gnarrkhaz well okay. You’re the first to really criticise it in this regard and this is especially anomalous for a game that has come so highly reviewed. Does anyone else share your opinion?
I am really interested in this, where can I buy it in my country? Malaysia if you want to know
Did you ever get it
First : Aha - take on me, song from my country 😄 Norway
Second : Found the book in stock in a norwegian bookshop online 👍
I'm not a big tabletop role playing kind of guy but this looked easy enough that I could gather a couple of friends and my wife - and run them trough a couple of stories!
So question, how many players would make a good experience? I could easily gather three players (wife included) and I could be the game master, should I try to get four players or is three good enough for a good experience?
3 players and a GM.
Could you give a pov from the dm side?
Have you guys considered doing an RPG show?
Even doing a few one-shots would be cool if you can find people willing to be on camera for 4 hours or so.
Sunday Bloody Sunday
To celebrate the release of the OUT OF TIME campaign module, the digital version of our multiple award-winning TALES FROM THE LOOP core game is now completely FREE for ONE DAY at DrivethruRPG:
www.drivethrurpg.com/product/210617/Tales-from-the-Loop-RPG-Rulebook?cPath=27806_27789
The offer expires Friday October 11. You can find OUT OF TIME at DrivethruRPG as well, and in physical format in the Free League webshop, where we are currently running a massive SALE on all things TALES FROM THE LOOP - up to 50% OFF!
frialigan.se/en/store/
[Swedish] Även den svenska utgåvan av UR VARSELKLOTET - ROLLSPELET är nu gratis på DrivethruRPG, och rean på fysiska produkter pågår även i vår svenska webshop: frialigan.se/sv/butik/
The Tales from the Loop RPG, based on the narrative artbook by Simon Stålenhag that is currently being adapted for television by Amazon Prime, won five ENnie Awards in 2017 including Best Game, Best Setting, Best Writing and Product of the Year.
“RPG Tales from the Loop lets you channel Stranger Things and E.T.”
- The Verge
"Tales from the Loop RPG Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again."
- IO9
“Tales from the Loop is both exciting and emotional, fantastical and realistic, and is unlike any other game on my shelf."
- Geek & Sundry
no death... until the squeal rpg :P
Yeah, Things from the flood is much scarier overall
I like this series!
Cool. Dead or alive - you spin me round. I would play this.
All though this isn't really made in the 80s, i'd say it has a vibe to it
Strafe - Black Canyon
Fria Ligan Forbidden Lands - The Bitter Reach Campaign and Reprint
Sounds fucking awesome
What console is this on?
claire M The Book Shelf
Off course its hockey! Its sweden 😊 if you are that, you are a hockey guy
This sounds AMAZING!!!
I'd pick Boys of Summer as my song.
Choralone, by Skinny Puppy. Yeah, that edgy.
"Tek Syndicate" Name?
are you guys sure it's legal to carry this name?
MS TheDev yes logan owns the tek syndicate brand.
Great vid
Looks good
Great thought, but just try to buy this thing...just try. :(
Looks dope there twitchy
P.s. Not hating bro enjoyed the vid 🕹📝
cool, Word up.
I love it, the topic is so crazy...!!!
Badass Sci-Fi baby!
Is this really a candle lighted up IN your bookshelf ? If i was your GM, your house will already be on fire :D. Btw, nice review !
Sweet!
great video!
Mine is obviously going to be some sort of Metallica song.
Spider Man I had a similar thought. I would probably pick metallica, megadeth, or ozzy osbourne
expand close prescription he below value notice organic
Ballen
mmmm the iconic item, where bad stuff can't ever destroy it seems to lower tension and lesson the stakes, two things that I think would be bad for a good story. How am I wrong about this? I really want to get this game but little noogly rules like those pull me away from this game.
Well you can lose other stuff you pick up, nothing is to say your family is safe or not turbulent. I think an item isn't the based place to create tension in a rpg anyway so its a minor really. It functions as a class mechanic, you wouldn't take that from a player in other rpgs? Like removing a ability to summon a familiar or taking away an animal companion thats tied to class.
Can you tie your arms down next time? I'm kidding but seriously... lol