AUGUST 11, 2024
by Keaira
<aside> đ This is my contribution to Autocratikâs event happening during the month of August aimed to talk more about the hobby of table top roleplaying games.
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Todayâs prompt is a bit weird to me, as there are games that are one-shots by their definition and asking if they âsupportâ it isâŚwell⌠strange. Games like Alice is Missing, fixed into its 90 minute play surrounded with hour or two around for character creation and world building, should be the obvious answer. Or any of the Protocol games vastly different from each other by the theme and the story they tell but using the same prompt base poker card driven storytelling (for example awesome Lady Winter). Or any of the hundreds of games on itch.io, one page RPGs, games to tell a specific one short story (like one of my favourites Rusalka - game of tragic fairy tales). You canât even play Ten Candles in multiple sessions. But this so obvious that I wonât go that way.
When it comes to the other game systems, those that were probably meant under this question, I have a mixed relationship with one-shots. Yes, sure, there were some that actually ended up being through one-shots - one session, played and done - but most of the time, especially online, playing more than 3,5 hours is too exhausting and focus-draining, and that time window rarely satisfies full roleplay experience. The perfect one-shot is a two to three session one - with enough time to explore, get to know and define the characters and solve the mystery (and potentially die/end up mentally affected in the process) - this applies to the investigative (horror) games of GUMSHOE system that will be my actual pick for today.
In its heart, having a mystery that is focused around one town or even a closer quarters location with a danger way above the investigatorsâ paygrade, âone-shotsâ come natural. You can sacrifice your character in a futile attempt to save the world in the epic last scene or have your character turn evil or spend the rest of their days in a mental health institution. Go all in without regrets, and that fits the genre of Trail of Cthulhu, Fear Itself, Esoterrorists, Cthulhu Confidential or Nightâs Black Agents. Mutant City Blues, while not in a horror genre, as a police procedural of a single case file is also very suitable for an one-shot. Honorable mention to shenanigans of the Timewatch. GUMSHOE system makes sure the investigation moves forward, clues do not need a successful roll, and you can concentrate on actually putting the mosaic together to give the character the best possible chance on a success in solving it.
