Premise
Ryuutama is a fantasy game from Japan about ordinary people going on a journey, and taking in the sights of the wonderful world around them. And along the way, they may even spot a dragon or two!
It’s affectionately referred to as Hayao Miyazaki’s Oregon Trail.
Core Mechanics
Stats represent the size of a dice you roll, and each roll is made using the dice size of two stats.
Quick and Dirty Character Creation
Pick a Class, Stat array, and Type. Pick your preferred weapon type, and buy starting equipment.
What It Does Well or Interestingly
The game’s primary challenge is in traveling through terrains, and not to . The day is structured into a series of steps representing the steps of travel. Much of the game’s equipment and abilities exist to this end.
The town and world creation sheets are also a great, especially when filled out together with all the other players.
Potential Pitfalls
It can be easy to go allow yourself to simply go through the steps of the Travel Rules, just to move through the in game days. Keep in mind that while this is the meat of the game, the meaning of the game comes from what goes on during the travel day!
Sections to Pay Attention To
Travel rules provide a meaningful structure to the game, and give game master’s a process to fall back on if they get lost. Add in some events happening through the day, and we
Final Thoughts
A good game for novice and expert GMs alike. Structured, but not stifling, and provides a challenge for creating conflict and drama without necessarily relying on violence. Though combat remains an option, that’s not necessarily the focus of the game.
