Shadowdark RPG (Print + PDF)

I was a Shadowdark Kickstarter backer of the digital all-in tier. I ran a game last summer. The accessibility and ease of entrance while still being brutally difficult to stay alive is top notch. If you're reading this, you have probably already heard that countless times; it's no doubt the reason you're thinking about buying the game now.

Well, having had such a great time with it, and thinking so highly of the content of the book, I began to regret not backing the physical tiers. So, I finally spent the cashmoney to buy a hard copy. The hard copy does not disappoint. Excellent production quality across the board. I'm an especially big fan of section tabs clearly visible with the book closed. The place holder ribbon is welcome as well.

If you're looking to buy into Shadowdark, buy the print+digital tier. It's worth it.

Love it. The random tables are awesome, the simplicity of the rules is great and the clear, easy to read layout makes it a pleasure to read. Also love the quality of the book and the cover art. Thanks!

Some RPGs are overly prescriptive and cumbersome in design, bogging down gameplay and hobbling imagination; others are so “rules-light” they might as well not have bothered.

But Kelsey has fashioned a sturdy-yet-streamlined system that allows role-play, imagination, story, and spontaneity to shine brightly in the Shadowdarkness. She weights it just right: a solid, well-crafted rules set that facilitates play and doesn’t get in the way.

The writing is concise beyond words (okay, not beyond words… she uses words, but just the right amount). The feel of the book oozes quality (and in some cases it possibly oozes oozes, too).

And the whole umbral ambiance is evocative and beguiling, especially for someone with AD&D first edition sensibilities. If your D&D resembles Leiber or Howard, or leans towards Weird Tales style fiction, then Shadowdark is definitely your vibe.

The artwork is perfectly judged, and the game itself versatile enough to handle anything from gritty, grim-dark OSR crawls to high fantasy epic heroic narratives. Yes, deadly dungeons are its spiritual home, suited more to tomb-robbing antiheroes than swashbuckling superheroes, but its simplicity allows it to fluidly shape-change into any play style.

Advice to the GM is sound and comprehensive, but not patronising or rambling. Monster stat blocks are blessedly brief and playable. Character creation leaves room for players to actually create someone, and not just follow a confusing selection procedure. Gameplay is intuitive, flexible, memorable, and fun.

Honestly, there is little to criticise and everything to praise. Shadowdark has proved to be a real success story, and it’s well deserved. This is my third copy (one for reference, one for table, and one to gift), which is itself testament to my high estimation of the game.

Shadowdark is a leading light. Expertly boiled down and blended. And written with passion, precision, and sincerity. This is reflected in the community that’s grown around the game, too. In a nutshell, it’s a real humdinger.

Awesome rule book with great art and a focus on the DM over complicated rules.
Love it and can’t wait to play it.

Great for the player looking for the minimalist experience. Gorgeous book that looks great at the table or on the shelf. Lots of fun stuff to play with.