Japanese company Gift Ten Industry is releasing a game on Switch that requires a pen and paper to play.
The game has a tentative title of Madolica and will launch on the eShop in Japan some time this summer, priced at 1,500 Yen.
The objective of the game is to escape from a monster-filled mansion within set time limit, and up to four players can take part. You can either print off the floor plan of the building or purchase pre-printed plans from the game's website; you'll need to use these to plot your escape in-game.
Given the portable nature of Switch - and the surprising popularity of table top gaming these days - this is a crazy idea that actually makes a lot of sense. There's no word on a western release, but we'd hope this makes its way out of Japan somehow.
[source japanesenintendo.com, via 4gamer.net]
Comments 39
Like it!
I know it's quite different but my first thought when seeing this was wondering if Etrian Odyssey could yet come to the Switch with a similar system.
That would be awesome!
That actually sounds great!
Huh, that's interesting. It's kinda like X-Com board game which uses an app to randomize events and track game time, but much simpler.
Question is if the mansions are always the same or randomized to some extent.
I'm not sure I'd call that an RPG though, but that's nitpicky. BTW, was there ever a sort of RPG game for the Wii U that utilized the big controller a Game Master Screen? I remember Penny-Arcade suggesting this as soon as Wii U was unveiled.
@admwllms Atlus has to stop making EO on 3DS for that to happen. XP
What a fantastic game for when you have a get together! I can see this being really fun with our friends if they are round for dinner. Different from the usual that’s for sure.
Looks like it could be fun
@SmaggTheSmug
There is an Xcom board game with random events with an app.
That reminds me, why can't we take notes on Switch like we can on 3DS?!!!
D&D or similar on Wii U was a missed opportunity. Gamemaster on gamepad, PCs on TV
boring
Got me excited but looks a load of rubbish. Thought it would be like an Fighting Fantasy book based game. As I know these are on the App Store.
This is great! The Switch is slowly becoming an all in one item. It's already a handheld, home console, toy (labo), musical instrument, programming tool and now a board game too. Soon we'll only need our phones and a Switch for our free time!
Was hoping this would be a bit more of a D&D experience that incorporates the switch somehow as I'm looking to get into tabletop gaming but feel a bit out of my depth. I would give this a miss either way.
I can't really tell what the gameplay is like, but it looks intriguing. Definitely keeping an eye on this. I had great fun with text-only exploratory games back in the day.
@Captain_Gonru
Cheers, checked it out. Looks rough but hints at the potential that could be achieved.
@Lord If you want something like that, Joe Dever's Lone Wolf is it. With a bit more actiony combat, but still.
I should try to finish it, but the combat gets tricky fast and I refuse to drop down a difficulty level...
@Cyberdyne84 If you want to get into tabletop gaming your best bet is to just go into a store and ask about. Or find a tabletop gaming cafe if they have those in your area with a group of friends and rent a random game. Just ask the barista for best beginner ones.
Are you looking at something specific in mind? I'll tell you right away to avoid Magic: the Gathering and Warhammer 40k/AoS. As fun as they are (well, MtG is, I refuse to play the latter two since last edition changes), they're money sinks. If you're looking for an RPG current edition of D&D (5e) is extremely simple and beginner friendly. Much more than 3.5 and Pathfinder.
Forget this nonsense, ask Jonathan Blow to port his Witness to Switch.
I'll have to keep tabs on this. Looks like something that would be fun to play with other people if they pull it off right. Getting out a pen and paper for games is not something that I ever need to do anymore. The last game I remember playing that had me do that was Fez.
Makes sense in the wake of things like Labo, although simultaneously feels a bit ironic in the wake of games like Etrian Odyssey that aimed to fuse the pen-and-paper aspects into the software itself.
@Cyberdyne84 May I suggest one of the D&D adventure boardgames if you haven't tried them.
Castle Ravenloft, Legend of Drizzt etc.
A nice mix of easy die rules with dungeon exploring fun great characters.
All games can mix and match and setup etc isn't too bad.
The missus and I enjoy them a lot and there's no stats to keep track of yourself. Everythings on the cardboard bits.
Definitely simpler than something like Descent.
Can't be bothered with the pen and paper, just a regular game will do.
How is using a pen and paper counted as old school? Anyways, the game sounds interesting, but I'd hate to see the price if it came over here to the US. Other than that, it would be more fun just to play a normal board game with family instead. (using a pen and paper!!!)
Cool idea, I'm just not sure about the game on the screen.
Nifty idea. I would need to see it in action first though.
Premise sounds interesting. Thought I have to ask: I'd have to see the game in action but it looks like you can walk around in game so why do you have to have the map?
@Cyberdyne84
Beginners boxes are the way to go for role playing. I recommend either D&D 5e or Edge of the Empire beginners games.
Both cheap on amazon and brilliant fun.
Wizard of the Coast, please make it happen.
It looks like a puzzle game to me, not a role-playing game, from the screen shots. The only similarity is the pen and paper, but it seems like you're solving some kind of puzzle to figure out how to escape.
It sounds intriguing though.
Yeah, the concept sounds interesting, but I can't tell enough about the implementation yet. I hope we'll see more soon.
Um... No just no
@CorvoRevo Agreed, I would love this.
any new idea is welcome, alot of games these days are repetative, and copied from one and other. at least you have to give this company some credits, for not lacking balls to show new concepts.
Nice to try new things I suppose, but just because something is different doesn't make it good. This sounds like a waste of money to me. If I want to play a board game, I will do that. If I want to draw I will do that.
This is great, you could do something really cool like this withing the D&D world, maybe have the D.M on the Switch whilst you play on tabletop.
Sounds neat, but at this point It'd be easier and better to just play an RPG session.
... How is tabletop popularity surprising? They've been a thing since their inception.
Cya
Raziel-chan
This is really where the Switch's true potential lies IMO. Fresh, new ideas brought to life by its unique hardware.
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