Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan review

Review of Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (after finishing the first act)

Personal background: I have quite a bit of experience with dungeon crawlers like Gloomhaven, Jaws of the Lion, Imperial Assault, and Descent 2nd Edition (from which I believe this game takes inspiration, especially regarding the dice system), etc. Additionally, within the realm of "narrative games," I have greatly enjoyed the original Sleeping Gods.

Components: Excellent! I have the retail version, and each component is wonderful. The 4mm cardboard tokens (I initially doubted their quality, but they are very good), the highly detailed miniatures of good size, the two-layer character boards, the terrain tiles, the cards—everything is of high quality, beautifully illustrated, and comes with inserts for neatly storing everything, which greatly speeds up setup and teardown times without the need for buying third party stuff.

Gameplay: This is where the game truly excels. The mechanics are designed to be fast and intuitive, allowing players to dive into the action without feeling overwhelmed. The skill system adds a strategic layer, enabling players to mitigate the effects of bad dice rolls, which can be a common frustration in dungeon crawlers.
Each character has unique abilities that can significantly influence both combat and story outcomes, making player choices feel impactful. Decisions made in the heat of battle can alter the course of the narrative, creating a dynamic experience where every point of damage counts.
Additionally, the game encourages teamwork and collaboration, as players must strategize together to overcome each scene. The pacing keeps the game engaging, with quick turns that maintain momentum and excitement. The blend of tactical combat and narrative elements creates a rich experience, ensuring that players remain invested in both the outcome of the battles and the unfolding story.
Also the battle mode is great for that small doze between sessions with the group.

I find it a mystery why this game hasn't generated more buzz.

Score: 9.5/10

Small nitpicks (all from the app):
• No undo button in the app.
• Small font size for those of us who don’t have a tablet (it would be great to have a widescreen option for mirroring the screen on the TV)