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Time machines at the ready players, we're going back to an era long forgotten for a new world of adventures. Something that's only possible with the brilliant role playing game, ‘Jackals: Bronze Age Fantasy’.
We've got to go back
Whether you're a seasoned RPG veteran or new to the hobby, Jackals offers a thrilling and immersive experience that’s unlike what you’d find in DnD or Call of Cthulu. It's a game that captures the spirit of epic adventure and heroic deeds, and transports you to a world of myth and legend.
In this review, I’ll cover everything you need to know and hopefully inspire you to pick up a copy for yourself and tackle your very own adventures in Kalypsis. That being said, with a whole world of mechanics to explore in this RPG, I’ll give enough to whet your appetite; but it’s up to you to jump in and master this new world.
More than just sticks and stones
The beauty of Jackals is that it’s so much more than just a roleplaying game set in the Bronze Age. It’s intricately designed with unique languages, cultures, and faiths; on top of a range of skills, traits and attributes to it your characters out with. Combined, all of these provide players with the opportunity to make a truly unique character to enjoy each one-of-a-kind adventure with.
Having played some very in depth RPG’s in my time, I was pleasantly pleased to find how well-organized the rulebook was. It’s written in a very accessible style that clearly explains each of the core mechanics with helpful examples. This really helped with making the game quick to pick up and allowed us to get stuck into the game in no time at all.
On the topic of mechanics, the d100 system is easy to learn whilst also offering tactical depth at the same time. Combat is visceral and dangerous, making each victory feel hard-earned. If you've played any percentile-based games before, you'll feel right at home; and if you haven’t, you get the knack of it in no time at all. For any tasks and interactions, yu just need to roll lower than your skill value. Just remember to roll as low as you can, as anything between 91-100 is an instant fail.
Jackals also gives you the chance to jump straight into the action with three ready-to-play adventures; The Bronze Bell, The Lost Children, and The Wolves’ Lair. As a group, we decided to tackle the Bronze bell for our first adventure. Lured in by the mystery, rituals and disappearances; we quickly found ourselves stuck in the deep end and face to face with the formidable Hanno. But I also loved the fact that the guide gives you Hooks to serve as inspiration for further adventures. I’ve already got a few ideas for where the story can go next, and I can't wait to get another session in.
I also think it would be a crime to continue without mentioning the stunning artwork that adorns the pages of this book. Each lavish illustration brings the world of Kalypsis to life and fuels the imaginations of both the Loremaster and the players.
Just like the old times
But to bring all of this together, you need an immersive world to interact with. Thankfully, Jackals has just the setting to serve the purpose. The world of Kalypsis is a vibrant tapestry woven from the myths and legends of the Bronze Age and inspired by such famous tales as the Iliad, Epic of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament. From the bustling city-states to the monster-haunted wilderness, it offers a refreshing change from the typical medieval fantasy setting.
Another refreshing difference from other role playing games is the compelling range of character options to choose from. Players aren’t limited to playing typical warriors and wizards. Instead, Jackals offers a diverse range of character options, reflecting the social structures and beliefs of the Bronze Age whilst still giving the player the freedom to add their own twists.
But as with any historically inspired RPG, there’s only so much accuracy this book can provide. Therefore, if you’re planning on creating your own adventures to experience in Jackals, a bit of research or reading into historical events from that time will help to make your campaign even more enjoyable.
Time is of the essence
I know all too well that a common concern when getting into a new RPG is the time commitment. So, how long will an adventure or campaign take when playing Jackals?
Well, aside from the usual variables such as GM style, player count and group playstyle; a quick dungeon crawl can take around 3 to 6 hours to finish. That being said, for a campaign, it entirely depends on how long you want to keep the adventure going for.
Our one-shot took four hours to complete with a few interactions taking longer than intended; but that’s all part of the fun. The only thing that truly dictates how long a session takes is the amount of freedom you give your players, and we all know just how much fun an off the rails adventure can be.
Final thoughts
So there we have it, a whistle stop tour of Jackals and everything you need to know to grab a copy and get stuck in for yourself; and I can’t implore you enough. I really found Jackals to be a refreshingly different experience to any other RPG I’ve played. I also had a lot of fun running the adventure as a Loremaster, and would love to try my hand at playing a character.
Of course, as with any RPG, it takes a bit of time to get started and for the adventure to move at a quicker pace. However, the ease of access that the book has makes it so easy to get a grip of the basics and take the reins for yourself.
All that’s left to say is thanks for reading, and I hope you decide to pick up a copy for yourself and write your own unique adventures into the history books.
