You Should Play… is an irregular series where I talk about analog and tabletop games I think you should play. From new indie games that have caught my eye to older games I’m currently revisiting. This series is a fun and informal spotlight on things you might have missed.
Note: This Was Originally A Twitter Thread
I’m going to be looking at Power Couple by Marc Strocks today! Honestly, I picked it because “Sci-Fi Romance” is a pitch I can’t say no to! (Also, I have a deck of tarot cards on my desk, so why not use them?)
First things first, I love how clean the design is. It makes it super easy to read and navigate, which is good in a game like this. I also love how the language explains your situation. It’s very engrossing and has some fun physical actions to help pull you in.
You each have your own deck that the other player can’t touch. And you each play as one of Earth’s protectors. Be you someone born on Earth or on another planet.
The game is split into episodes. At the start of each episode, your base alerts you to an alien event of some form. The form of threat is decided by the card’s suit, and you also draw more cards to act as Struggles and Conundrums that complicate the episodes. Then you discuss and record how everything plays out.
Honestly, I love how fluid this is. The game gives a fun setting and then lets you do whatever you want with it, allowing you to be super creative! Different groups could have vastly different experiences! The game also comes with rules for 3 and 4-player groups. Which is always a fantastic bonus.
The included cheat sheet is also super handy, allowing you to find all of the info you need at a glance.
I actually want to run an Ultraman game using this system. As it would perfectly capture the relationship between the Ultra and the Earth Defenders. Honestly, you could recreate a lot of sci-fi dynamics using it, including stuff like Star Trek!
Power Couple is totally going into my journaling game rotation because I think it is a tonne of fun and can tell loads of great stories. If you want it, you can get it here!
Disclaimer: I did not receive anything in exchange for this article. However, I have interacted with the creator in the past and worked in similar circles. However, this article is still my personal opinion of the work.
Jonathon Greenall is a freelance writer, artist, and tabletop roleplaying game designer who has written for CBR, Polygon, Nintendo Life, Gayley Dreadful, Enbylife, and many other publications. They have also published several popular and highly-praised tabletop roleplaying games including “You Have One Ability….The Ability To Fuck This Up,” “Macarons, Milkshakes, And Magic,” and “Wander Wizards.”
Jonathon has always been fascinated by media, from the big hitters to the small, obscure, and often overlooked titles that linger on the sidelines, capturing both the on and off-camera stories that make these shows so fascinating.
Jonathon is also a major anime fan, having been exposed to the medium through shows like Sailor Moon and Revolutionary Girl Utena. Since then, Jonathon has maintained a passion for anime, watching most new shows each season and hunting down overlooked gems from previous ones.