Inhuman Conditions Board Game
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Ever wanted to do some heavy-duty roleplaying in a Blade Runner-esque universe? Did you like the video game Papers, Please but thought it wasn't intense enough? I are you really into the cyberpunk zeitgeist and can't get enough of it? Then I have just the game for you.
If you don't want to watch the video, a quick summation - this is a roleplay heavy game social deduction game for two people, simulating what is essentially a Voight-Kampff test. One player is the investigator who has five minutes to ask questions of the other player who is the suspect. The suspect could be a human, a patient robot, or a violent robot. In addition, the suspect has some sort of job they hold, which helps them get into the role. Humans have no special rules, other than the job they have.
Patient robots have a tell that they have to adhere to, for instance the video gives the example of "You cannot express any opinions at all. You can only express observable facts." If the patient robot messes up and expresses an opinion or decides it's worth the risk to violate the rule to throw off suspicion, they must, at some point before the end of the round, perform the penalty action, which both players are aware, such as "You must insult the investigator."
Violent robots, on the other hand, have three tasks given them, two of which they must complete. Once completed, their programming snaps and they kill the investigator, before going on a rampage. This is demonstrated in the game by the suspect slamming their hands down on the table suddenly.
If two player social deduction sounds like it's up your alley and you think you can do the roleplaying without feeling awkward, maybe give it a look. And if we ever have a cyberpunk game with androids/replicants, can we get it incorporated into the game?
Also, Shut Up and Sit Down is in the middle of one of their pledge runs. If you like board games and funny review videos of board games, give them a watch and maybe chuck a few dollars their way.
