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Never Going Home by Wet Ink Games offers a chilling twist on World War I, blending historical events with supernatural horrors.

Set in the grim trenches of Europe, the game introduces players to a world where the Battle of the Somme has torn the Veil between reality and the realm of ‘Others’, malicious entities eager to exploit humanity's suffering.

Amidst the chaos of war, players must choose whether to serve their nation or defend humanity against these unearthly threats, all while grappling with the loss of their own humanity.

The game mechanics, driven by Wet Ink's +One System, provide a straightforward yet flexible framework for gameplay. Characters are defined by attributes and skills, with players rolling dice to determine success.

Gear and supernatural abilities add depth to encounters, while the use of playing cards enhances strategic decision-making and character development. Despite its strategic focus, the system avoids unnecessary complexity, making it accessible to both new and experienced players.

Never Going Home emphasises the psychological toll of war, with characters facing physical and moral challenges that push them to their limits. Corruption mechanics track the descent into darkness, providing a sense of urgency and consequence to players' actions.

The only criticism I can offer is the dense presentation of the text within the pages. By adding some space around the paragraphs, the readability of the rules and lore would have been easier. Try and persist though, as the game's setting and lore, presented through engaging writing and diegetic documents such as letters, immerse players in a world where history and the supernatural collide.

The game's adventures follow a structured format, with missions divided into briefing, journey, incidents, and decoration phases. This structure provides a clear narrative arc while allowing for player agency and creativity.

Whilst the game mechanics and the immersive elements are great, my favourite aspect of the game is the art. Nominated for a 2020 Ennie Award for Best Art, the game's evocative art by Charles Ferguson-Avery captures the grim atmosphere and thematic depth of the setting. I am absolutely enamoured by the art in this book 💚💚💚.

Never Going Home offers a compelling experience for those intrigued by the intersection of history, horror, and roleplaying.

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Twilight: 2000: You’re on Your Own, Good Luck

By Charles Dunwoody on EN World

I recently found this great article by Charles Dunwoody on EN World about Twilight: 2000. The article offers a thorough review that really brings out the game's immersive gameplay and rich content. He paints a vivid picture of the game's setting, where players find themselves thrust into World War III, cut off from command, and left to navigate the brutal realities of survival with a sobering message from HQ: "Good luck. You’re on your own now."

He notes, “Twilight: 2000 takes the Year Zero system and couples it with brutal combat that leaves its mark on everyone involved who survives.”

Dunwoody points out the games use of the Year Zero Engine and how it cleverly simulates the emotional toll of combat. With a mix of attribute and skill dice, hit locations, and the coolness under fire (CUF) mechanic, every choice feels weighty.

He notes, “This combination is powerful. In order for the emotional toll to be worth it, the PCs need to get some real wins. This is where the referee comes in. A referee needs a way to be impartial. To allow random events to happen and not come across as the bringer of misery.”

He talks about the relentless hardships faced by player characters, the fear, uncertainty, and moral dilemmas they navigate—it's like every decision is a moral quandary, and there's no easy way out. But there can be little victories that give both characters and players a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

He notes, “At the same time, the referee also has to set up those moments of difficult choices for the PCs. Present PCs with tough situations with no easy solution and let them figure things out for themselves.”

Dunwoody gives Free League's Twilight: 2000 a big thumbs up 👍, calling it a standout roleplaying game. With its wealth of content, immersive gameplay, and gripping narrative, it promises hours and hours of thrilling play and unforgettable moments for anyone brave enough to step into its unforgiving world.

If a gripping game of survival in a World War III environment sounds challenging but fun, check out his article to find out more.

SHOP

Heading into the RPG trenches? Here is the perfect tee from HornArt on Teepublic.

And for combat in any World War III game, you can’t go past these Toxic Rain dice from Roll With Advantage.

If you missed Issue 004, where we launched into space (with Coriolis: The Great Dark, Death in Space, and Traveller) you can read it here.

See you next week, when we prepare to survive the apocalypse ☢️🧟‍♂️.