Tabletop Talks Week 3

There is perhaps no sweeter moment in all of tabletop gaming than denying your opponent. They think that they are doing fine, on track to win the game when all of the sudden...BAM!...you send them back to square one. So, this week, we cordially invite you to give into your dark side and test a few friendships with Tabletop Talks: Sabotage! 

*Cue the Beastie Boys song*

This week, we will be bringing you four games in which at least one core mechanic involves betraying, backstabbing, scheming, or sabotaging other players.

1. The Bank Job

There is no honor among thieves 

Everyone loves a good heist story, and The Bank Job from Brains and Brawn Gaming is guaranteed to make you feel like you just walked out of Oceans 11! Players are part of one the world’s leading heist crew, and, after months of planning, careful team selection, and meticulous execution, you and your team have finally pulled off your most successful bank heist on record. But you aren’t out of the woods yet! You and your cohorts must spend six days hiding in close quarters as you try to skim, sabotage, and backstab your way to the biggest score. The Bank Job pairs this thrilling premise with a unique blend of prisoner's dilemma, worker placement, and hot potato mechanics to create an unforgettable social deduction game.

Originally created for a Discord Game Jam, Brains and Brawn gaming set out to create a tabletop experience that combined unique game mechanics into something new and exciting. The result is an ultimately replayable tale of deception that will have you laughing at your latest scheme right before your opponent pulls the rug out from under you. And, with fixed “bad guy” roles, there is no limit to the chaos and paranoia you can cause! Try your best, but remember, there is no honor amongst thieves…

Brains and Brawn gaming was founded in the wake of the pandemic and has used Tabletop Simulator to develop an entire library of games, including The Bank Job. Their Kickstarter just wrapped up successfully, so be sure to check out the website for pre-orders and other great info!  

2. Runecasters

Claim your seat as valedictorian!

Runecasters is a game about school. It’s a game about competing with your fellow students. It’s a game about graduating at the top of your class. It is also a game about casting spells, summoning minions, and denying your opponents as you claim your rightful place as valedictorian of the prestigious Wizard Academy! In Runecasters, players take on the role of an up-and-coming wizard. You will maneuver through a tri-phase system of action, during which their deck can be used to navigate the board, control minions, and, of course, sabotage your fellow wizards as you fight for the top rank in the class. But be wary, the board in Runecasters is in a constant state of change, so make sure you are ready to cast just the right spell to bring victory to you and devastation to your opponents!

Runcaster’s creator, Kit Harper, wanted to create a game that was inspired by classic magic-themed tabletop and video games but also captured the excitement of that final, game-winning dice roll. He paired this mission with deep, fulfilling strategy mechanics and an ever-changing game board to create a truly unique tabletop experience. This impressive depth is paired with a fun fantasy art style. We can guarantee that at least one player will forget they are not walking the halls of the Wizard Academy!

Kit and his team have been able to use Tabletop Simulator to tweak and build Runecasters to wizarding perfection! Be sure to play the free mod here! You can also join their Discord for updates, rulebooks, and a fun chat with the Runecasters community!

3. Captains Gambit

An infinitely changing hidden role game

Shakespear. In. Space. Those words alone should have you ready to play Captain’s Gambit! But, in case they didn’t work, we’re ready to tell you all about Cloudfall Games’ asymmetric hidden role game. In Captain’s Gambit, each player is given a secret alien captain card that outlines their objective, and they must bluff, conspire, deceive, and sabotage their way to victory. To aid them in this goal, each player also receives two hidden permit cards which give you access to powerful actions. These two mechanics are used in a betting and bluffing system that promotes risky and exciting gameplay. This premise combines with a truly unique theme to create some of the most memorable situations any of us here at TTS blog have ever come across. Where else would alien-dragons Romeo and Juliet protect each other while ghost-robot Titus prepares a bloodbath if you make one wrong move.

Captain’s gambit originated from an understandable desire to see Shakespearean characters duke it out in a deception-heavy, sci-fi battle royale. This grew into an exciting and utterly unique tabletop experience. Its one-of-a-kind theme is paired with an asymmetric design that ensures players have the space to play, plot, and backstab however they want. In all, this 4-8 player game ensures that no single round is like any other, guaranteeing hours of exciting space-drama!

Cloudfall Games has used Tabletop Simulator to hone Captains Gambit through playtests and demos. It is now available to preorder on their website until the end of this month! Also, be sure to check it out on TTS!

4. Sysifus Corp

A cut-throat corporate board game

If you are looking for a socially acceptable way to get out your frustration with your co-workers, then look no further than Sysifus Corp from Pegasus Games! In this tile-laying board game, players must kiss up, strategize, and backstab their way to the top. At this cutthroat corporation, you have one and only one goal: be the first promoted, at all costs. With mechanics that seamlessly blend a puzzle and strategy focus with elements of Mario Kart and Yu-Gi-Oh, Sysifus Corp is the perfect tabletop game for people who want to try out the cubicle life while also being able to mercilessly sabotage their opponents. 

Originally designed to be a ‘modern game of life,’ the team at Pegasus Games crafted a one-of-a-kind board gaming experience. Sysifus Corp makes an office job fun and has enough competition and subterfuge to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is beautifully accented by the fun, yet definitively office-based, art and game design, creating an intriguing and infinitely re-playable spin on the game of life.

The design of Sysifus Corp was mostly finished before the pandemic hit and they have been able to use Tabletop Simulator for playtesting. Now, they have a live Kickstarter to check out here. Also be sure to visit their website and youtube for more information, instructional videos, and release updates!

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