King of Dragon Pass - (by A Sharp)

[Riotgirl]

Originally Posted by sapphire_neo

This is EXACTLY the game you want then. You can build an incredibly deep narrative and the gorgeously detailed writing brings it to life in a way I have yet to encounter in any other game.

In a nutshell.

The majority of the stats are hidden, wrapped up in the narrative. KoDP is less about min-maxing - although you do need to consider and balance different options - and more about guiding your clan over the years, through all the vicissitudes as their fortunes ebb and wane, based upon a mixture of backstory (the history of the clan), the current situation in Dragon's Pass, and an eye on the victory conditions.

Sapphire_Neo is correct that a lot of reading is involved, which is broken up through the sumptuous hard-drawn illustrations.

There's the rub. It is a game that demands a lot of the player in that to truly enjoy the game, you'll need to immerse yourself in the cultural, historical and mythological aspects of Glorantha (reading and re-reading the manual, and taking your queues from the game) and make your choices based upon what an Orlanthi clan would do. Note: your choices are influenced and informed by balancing a number of options, sometimes competing. You have to weigh and factor the advice from the clan ring, the mood of your people, your clan's traditions (sometimes your ancestors), as well as the political situation in maintaining relationships with different clans.

Or, like Kingbuilder, there's nothing to stop you creating a war-like clan, making a thorough nuisance of yourself by raiding and pillaging your neighbours (fine Orlanthi traditions!), and massacring Duck people (killing foreigners - another fine Orlanthi tradition!). Unlike CYOA (choose your own adventure), the decisions that you make may have repercussions for years to come.

Like Kingbuilder's stead being wiped from the face of Dragon Pass, by an army of seriously ruffled Duck People!