The world of tabletop games is growing more popular, and as a result is ever growing. Game ideas are getting kickstarted and funded that would have been pipe dreams a decade ago. Thanks to this renaissance of tabletop, we also get new takes on old favorites. In particular, a whole new host of tabletop RPGS and miniatures games have cropped up to offer some variety to the classic Dungeons & Dragons formula. Rangers of Shadow Deep is one of the more exciting ventures, bringing a dark lore and grim consequences to the fantasy combat.
Rangers of Shadow Deep takes place in a kingdom that's being consumed by a monster-infested realm called the Shadow Deep. Players take on the role of elite soldiers called rangers who venture into the Shadow Deep to fight back the dark forces. The missions aren't as cut-and-dry as killing a boss to fix everything, however. Rangers are tasked with dangerous, risky jobs like ambushing enemy supply lines and rescuing prisoners. Success only temporarily delays the invasion of the Shadow Deep. But failure can end in the death or maiming of both the player characters and their hand-picked allies.
Another thing that sets Rangers of Shadow Deep apart is its various play options. The game can be played solo or co-op, with rules given to dictate monster behavior. The Deluxe Edition, coming to retailers in February 2020, will add rules for adjusting the Challenge Level of any given mission. While the standard game tends to support two players, the Deluxe Edition's new difficulty options will allow for three or four rangers to team up and still face an exciting game. The game's early scenarios can also be revamped for play at higher levels.
As for the gameplay itself, it seems to be more focused on war games-style combat. Even the more basic missions call for a variety of monsters to be represented by miniatures. Structures also play a big role in battle, so a battle map is essential at the least. There are RPG elements, however, as players can build and advance their rangers as they wish. Players can also recruit followers who can easily be killed or maimed in the heat of battle.
Those looking for a tabletop RPG with more consequence and a darker storyline should check out Rangers of Shadow Deep. Gameplay videos are already all over Youtube. The PDF version is available on DriveThruRPG. The Deluxe Edition, which comes with a faux-leather rule book, is up for pre-order now and will release in February 2020.
Source: Modiphius