Skip to main content

On Sale: GamesAssetsToolsTabletopComics
Indie game storeFree gamesFun gamesHorror games
Game developmentAssetsComics
SalesBundles
Jobs
TagsGame Engines
(+3)

Anomaly is a game about a research team investigating a thing that makes no sense. Think SCP, Control, or any of the host of related media.

The PDF is 12 pages, with a bare but very readable layout.

Anomaly sets itself apart from other "weird thing what do" stories in that it always takes place in an inhabited area, with a population that is at least theoretically aware of the titular Anomaly's effects. This adds a lot of potential for suspense and horror to the game, and can play down or play up feelings of isolation.

To put that another way: The Thing is a slow burn story because it takes place in a remote research station. If it took place in rural USA, it would have a drastically different scope and pacing.

Mechanically, Anomaly is very similar to The Quiet Year. You play in turns, introducing or advancing story elements, as the group guides a team of scientists as they try to investigate whatever weird phenomenon is endemic to the game's area.

A deck of tarot cards is used to generate prompts, but Anomaly's timeline is open-ended. You play until the story is resolved. This might be quick, or it might be extremely drawn out---although the game gives an extremely good piece of advice: when you think of two things that could happen next, go with the more dramatic one. This keeps Anomaly pointed towards an exciting resolution, and gives it a strong natural pace.

Overall, if you like storytelling and drama, and if you like research horror, I think you'll enjoy Anomaly a lot. The rules are loose, so you do need a group that's willing to cooperate to tell the story, but if you have that I can almost guarantee you'll have an excellent time. Check it out if you can.