“The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience.” – Gary Gygax
We play together. We tell a story. Maybe we push ourselves to be heroes. Maybe we explore dark themes. But ultimately, it’s about how fun together. I know escapism is going to be important this year. It’ll have to be considering the balance against the real fights many are already fighting and the incredible inhuman, immoral terrors our current United States administration represents. Y’know just in case you weren’t sure where I stood on the utter atrocity of Trump as President again, Musk’s activities, etc. No, I’m not going to write about politics as there are better, far better people for that. However, as I’ve brought up with some folks recently it’ll be important to identify when you want to explore some themes, and avoid them too. Why? Because sometimes you just want to have a fun, group, cooperative experience. I hope you do.
Last year was certainly that for me, though I didn’t get to everything I wanted. I started 2024 off identifying games I was excited to learn more about and hopefully try. Well, I didn’t do as well with that as I had hoped, but I did still have a tremendous year of gaming. I played many games, primarily with a few groups of people, but I’m hoping to expand even more this year. So here’s what’s ahead for 2025!
First I’ll start with that quick recap of what I did play! I played quite a bit of Pathfinder2E between a friend’s Age of Ashes game, my brother’s Waterdeep-focused but still Pathfinder2E rules game, and then finally the Kingmaker game I run that has its events happening post escape of the Whispering Tyrant, New Thassilon, etc. I got to try Starfinder2E in our Thankless Devouring one shot. What a riot it was finally playing a Witchwarper, especially at high level. I needed that during a really busy November! Thank you to Alex, James, and Randal for that! I played a few one-shots of Warrenguard with a few different GMs, and I’m so excited to play a campaign of such one day. Trying out Masks A New Generation happened almost immediately; Dan (of Order of Amber Die fame) is a tremendous GM and storyteller. You should definitely play any game with them you can like at PAX Unplugged (shout out to Games on Demand). Of course, my first season of 5th Conspiracy was an intense few days in character as we raced to literally save the world! I deeply appreciate the creator and GM Stephen bringing me into the ongoing test campaign, and of course the players Kae (who intro’d me) and Isiah who’d already been playing and brought me into the fold. And of course I got to try a number of games at PAX Unplugged!
There’s far more ahead! Quite a few of these I’ll be playing more of, certainly Pathfinder2E and another season of 5th Conspiracy (currently in progress). Ardent and my friend Kae’s character are dead. Ardent’s been trying to understand who their birth parents are/were as they move between many realms of the dead. Satan keeps showing up to tempt the once-host of an angel, but Ardent’s like “nah, thanks tho” because Ardent’s trying to find a bit of useful power to bring back to the world once they get themselves re-alived. Why? Well I figured Ardent’s finally realized they have a lot to live for, and wants to explore that. They’d finally found a place they felt they belonged, people they cared about, and understanding as to why of all the had happened in their life. Finding out you were secretly helping an angel heal, could call on the power of God, and then protect/save all you promised to as well as basically prevent the end of the world tends to leave a guy thankful but a little “hey isn’t it my turn now.” And frankly, I really feel the need to play a truly good character who wants to combat true evil through knowledge, collaboration, and understanding. Things need to change… And thankfully the world of 5th Conspiracy is giving me a great outlet to explore that. It’s not the power fantasy (though who doesn’t like to feel bad ass), but more the “no, good can triumph” with a touch of personal drama. Heck there’s even a werewolf love interest now. Why is it always werewolves with me? I don’t think I’m actually a vampire…
I read up on Candela Obscura, watched it, well watched quite a bit actually but never played any. I was really impressed with all of Critical Role’s live plays of it. I liked seeing how each Storyteller approached their short season and what the characters brought. Same for Daggerheart as well, including the live Christmas show at PAX Unplugged. My home group isn’t big on occult/horror but I should try to get some time with Candela at a convention. I could probably fit in a three or four-play as a one-shot for Candela doesn’t seem to quite work. Daggerheart maybe a one shot is in my future depending how some of my friends feel or I’ll get to it later this year, maybe at a con. Critical Role is having their State of the Role the same day this article comes out, so we might hear of some new games as their current campaign is near to the end. As Dimension 20 keeps “winning” with their shorter form content, I expect to see some changes for Critical Role too. The real question of course is if Daggerheart will completely replace D&D 5E on their channel.
I didn’t get to any Urban Shadows as it was delayed. However, just this past weekend I got my kickstarter for it! Dan, who I mentioned earlier, is going to run us a campaign and I can’t wait to try it out and write about it. It’s modern gothic, touch of horror, but very political with lots of debt dealing and influence of the city you’re in. I’m excited to get to compare it to my experience with 5th Conspiracy. In 5C you start with far less power and influence, not that you’re exactly running things in Urban Shadows, but there’s def more clout and power on your side considering the nature of the game. 5C also feels far bigger, even if it is city based. I’m leaning toward a Tainted, someone who’s sold their soul to a demon/devil/etc. Quite the comparison to my Angel-loving Ardent.
I should have gotten into some Eldritch Automata at PAX Unplugged but they were busy with a capital B over there at Gehenna, so I passed out for more indie games. The game is fully funded and it’s kicking butt with test games, live streams, beta plays, and more. There may be something I contributed that I really look forward to seeing… There is something so delightful about turning the vision of angels into a cosmic horror, and that’s what Eldritch Automata is all about! Hopefully I’ll get to Gen Con, but if not I’ll def be playing and celebrating at PAX Unplugged! Oh and I should note you can pre-order on the crowdfunding site, so it’s not too late!
Finally, never did any Essence20 and that’s really my fault as I need to. Ryan’s literally right here doing his Essential Builds and I know any game I play with him will be a joy. I do love he’s gotten into Marvel Rivals and made a wonderful Squirrel Girl! You gotta appreciate the devs making her a launch character. But yes, Essence 20! G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, Transformers… all things I watched or played when I was a kid. And then there’s the surreal Welcome to Night Vale that got funded last October! Maybe I can hop into a game or find a playtest ahead of its release, expected this summer. Either way, I need to make it a point to make the time and then I get to write about it. Granted, I’d love to play a Transformer. Actually, is there a MASKS game? You know the 80’s show where the vehicles transform. Ooo or Pirates of Dark Water. Man, I loved that show… Essence20 makes my nostalgia pop right off.
Gaming is certainly a large part of my life between playing my long-running home/local games with relatively the same group for decades now or the new friends I’ve made in the last 5. There’s the classics I love like Pathfinder and the new indie games to play. Ultimately it’s all about coming together to have a good time. I hope you invest in some fun games this year and also find games that maybe help you express some feelings you perhaps can’t easily as they can truly be cathartic as much as they can be escapism. Either way, this community is with you and I encourage support for all now more than ever. Do let me know what games you’re investing in this year!
Investing In:
I wasn’t quite sure what to name my article series when I first started but the idea of showcasing or discussing things that make me excited, that I find new and interesting, or maybe I’m otherwise passionate about seemed to fit with the idea of Investing In something like the Pathfinder 2E mechanic. To use some magic items you have to give that little bit of yourself, which helps make these things even better. I like the metaphor of the community growing and being strengthened in the same way!
I also want to hear what you’re Investing In! Leave me a comment below about what games, modules, systems, products, people, live streams, etc you enjoy! You can also hit me up on social media as silentinfinity. I want to hear what excites you and what you’re passionate about. There’s so much wonderful content, people, groups (I could go on) in this community of ours that the more we invest in and share, the better it becomes!
Sources
Banner – a collage of games, owners as noted below
- RPG Tabletop, Creative Commons Attribution, psyche-ange
- Kingmaker Adventure Path, Paizo
- 5th Conspiracy, AED Publishing, Stephen Koontz
- Candela Obscura, Darrington Press
- Urban Shadows 2E, Magpie Games
- Eldritch Automata, Gehenna Gaming
- Welcome to Night Vale Roleplaying Game, Renegade Games
