Power Play: Schemes & Skulduggery (2014)

About this game

Power Play: Schemes & Skulduggery is a new kind of storytelling game, a "Competitive Narrative Game". In the game, you will take on the role of a supernatural mastermind with a villainous plot to execute. The first to put all the pieces of his secret plot into place can declare himself the winner! Power Play: Schemes & Skulduggery is not a role-playing game. You will not act out your character's actions, you will not need to adhere to any in-game moral code or class restrictions, and you will not need to keep your out-of-game knowledge separate from your in-game knowledge. On your turns, simply dictate your actions, and they come to pass. Utilize secret actions, your supernatural powers, the resources of your vast agency, and superior planning to gain an advantage and be the first to complete your objective. Power Play: Schemes & Skulduggery is underhanded, unrestricted supervillainy in a free-form, open environment. We like to think of it as "the Grand Theft Auto of storytelling games".

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 4 to 8.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 13 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.