To anyone interested, I've started a playthrough here: https://jakezemeckis.substack.com/p/befallen-the-ballad-of-luigi-solare
I simply loved the game. It had me on the cover and hooked me at the synopsis. If you like dark fantasy, then obsession, eldritch corruption, and haunted characters are an easy sell, right?
Befallen has an emphasis on story, but the crunch is on point. Rolls are flexible and encourage narrative and creativity. Combat is fast and fun, and corruption provides a doom clock for characters who gamble with forbidden powers.
The complication mechanic is a lot of fun to drive the story in unexpected directions. The haunt is a fantastic source of conflict for the complication rolls, besides inspiring storytelling.
Rolling on skills instead of an oracle to get answers helps with flow and action. The game reads, “instead of asking ‘does the guard see me?’, make a roll with Sneak to see if you are spotted.”
Simple and clever.
Absolutely recommended to anyone who wants an excellent balance of crunch and narrative.
I also wrote an overview of the game's mechanics and details here: https://jakezemeckis.substack.com/p/overview-befallen-by-utopia-rpgs