Troika! is a science fantasy tabletop role-playing game with a surreal multiverse setting, created by Daniel Sell.[1][2] Its free license has inspired new indie role-playing game designers to make their own games and supplements based on its platform.
| Designers | Daniel Sell |
|---|---|
| Illustrators | Jeremy Duncan, Dirk Detweiler Leichty, Sam Mameli, Andrew Walter |
| Publishers | Melsonian Arts Council |
| Publication | 2019 |
| Genres | tabletop role-playing game, fantasy |
| Website | www |
Gameplay
editTroika! features a streamlined ruleset and fully randomized character generation.[3] The core rulebook has 36 options for character backgrounds.[1]
Name
editIn an interview for EN World, Charles Dunwoody asked Daniel Sell why he called the game Troika!, since it is obviously neither about three-horse driving nor a triumvirate. Sell replied:
It’s a word that convincingly sits between fiction and reality and can have some resonant weight while also being fun to say. Troika the city is the way into the world for the players. If it was called, for instance, Boslog you’re just moving towards this distant thing that you’ll have to build up (or not) meaning around, while Troika you’re already taking some baggage with you and might find some fun synchronicities. Nonsense words are never very fun.[4]
Publication history
editTroika! was independently published in 2019 by the company Melsonian Arts Council (director Daniel Sell). Its System Reference Document and license agreement encourage the creation of third-party content.[1] As a result, many independent creators have released their own products based on its system. As of November 2024, Itch.io lists 701 physical games (as opposed to video games) with the "Troika" tag.[5]
In 2023, a Kickstarter campaign raised £36,215 to publish a softcover print edition. Since 2024, the digital edition of the core rulebook has been available for free.[2]
Reception
editBen Brosofsky for Screen Rant recommended Troika! as an alternative to Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, particularly for fans of Planescape.[1] J.R. Zambrano for Bell of Lost Souls called the game "cosmic fantasy at its finest."[2] Michael Barnes for There Will Be Games praised "the flexibility of Troika!, which is one of the best rules-lite systems out there right now."[6] Aaron Marks for Cannibal Halfling Games wrote, "Every element in this game is tightly written and evocative, so as soon as you read them you’re immediately struck with not only what the thing is, but also how insane it is."[3] Christopher John Eggett of the Tabletop Gaming Magazine wrote about its universe: "it’s a world that’s got the structure of a joke, but without a thigh-slapping punchline; you’re more likely to end up with a knowing smirk."[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Brosofsky, Ben (2023-01-17). "Mörk Borg & Other RPG Systems That Make Good D&D 5e Alternatives". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ a b c Zambrano, J. R. (2024-01-11). "Sci-Fantasy RPG Troika Makes Its Core Rules Available For Free". Bell of Lost Souls. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ a b Marks, Aaron (2019-02-27). "Troika Review". Cannibal Halfling Gaming. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Troika!: An Interview with Daniel Sell". EN World D&D & Tabletop RPG News & Reviews. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Top physical games tagged Troika". itch.io. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Barnes, Michael (2021-06-03). "A Very Positive Very Pretty Paleozoic Pals: Permian Nations Review". There Will Be Games. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Christopher John Eggett, Review: TROIKA! RPG, Tabletop Gaming Magazine, 29 November 2023