Critical: Foundation – Season 1 (2022) Board Game

Critical: Foundation – Season 1 is a board game released in 2022 by Gigamic. It is designed by Yohan Lemonnier and Kristoff Valla, with artwork by Pascal Quidault. The game falls under the categories of Adventure, Exploration, and Science Fiction, offering players a role-playing experience in a scenario-based campaign game.

Game Components of Critical: Foundation – Season 1

Character Cards: Each player gets a character card with base attributes and a main attribute.

Background Cards: Provide skills, occupation, and background story.

Equipment Cards: Include starting equipment and items.

Dice: A specialty 12-sided dice (D12) with an “X” and numbers from 1-3.

Game Master Screen: Includes relevant data and a guide for new GMs.

Maps: A map of key locations.

Tokens and Props: Various tokens and smaller props for game mechanics.

Episode Pamphlets: Four-page pamphlets for each episode, guiding the GM through the narrative.

How To Setup Critical: Foundation – Season 1

Setting up **Critical: Foundation – Season 1** is straightforward. Players start by selecting their characters and receiving character cards, background cards, and starting equipment. The GM reads through the episode pamphlet beforehand to become familiar with the story and setup. Each episode is structured like a TV script, with clear cues on when to hand out cards, initiate skill checks, and guide the conversation. This setup ensures that no significant story preparation is needed beyond reading the scenario ahead of time.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Attributes: Players have four attributes: Dexterity, Mental, Physical, and Social. Each attribute can be boosted by +1 if it is the player’s main attribute.

Skill Checks: Players roll a D12 and add bonuses based on relevant skills and equipment. The goal is to meet or exceed the difficulty level set by the GM.

Critical Success/Fumble: Rolling twice the difficulty level results in a critical success, while rolling an “X” results in a critical fumble.

Combat: Dice-based combat driven by the GM.

Objective: Players investigate a conspiracy, gather evidence, and complete missions over nine 30-minute episodes.

Player Experience

Players can either take on the role of the GM, directing the adventure, or play as characters immersed in the story. The game is designed to be easy to learn, especially for those new to RPGs, with detailed How-To’s and a structured narrative. The episodes are designed to be quick and engaging, lasting about 30 minutes each, making it perfect for those who want a bite-sized RPG experience. The game feels more like a guided story than a freeform RPG, which can be both a pro and a con depending on player preferences.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Perfect for new RPG players and GMs with minimal preparation needed.

Structured Narrative: The episode format and GM pamphlets make it easy to follow and guide the story.

Quick Playtime: Each episode lasts about 30 minutes, ideal for those with limited time.

User-Friendly Components: Character cards, equipment cards, and a GM screen simplify the gameplay process.

Introductory Tool: Great for introducing players to the world of RPGs in a board game format.

Cons

Limited Creativity: Players have minimal room for creative input, as the story is heavily scripted.

Dependence on GM: The success of the game heavily relies on the GM’s ability to tell the story and engage players.

Not Suitable for Freeform RPG Fans: The game is more suited for board gamers than those who prefer freeform RPGs.

Limited Next Steps: After completing the nine episodes, there is a lack of clear next steps or continued campaign support compared to other RPG systems.

Personal Thoughts on Critical: Foundation – Season 1

**Critical: Foundation – Season 1** is ideal for those looking to dip their toes into RPGs without the overwhelming complexity of traditional systems. It is particularly suited for board game enthusiasts who want to experience RPG elements in a familiar and structured format. While it may not satisfy the cravings of seasoned RPG players, it serves as an excellent introductory tool and can act as a stepping stone for those interested in exploring more freeform RPG play in the future.

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