All Fall Down by Philip Reed

[Crothian]

Ring around the rosies
A pocketful of posies
Ashes, ashes
We all fall down

All Fall Down is a group storytelling game in which the objective is to be the last player to fall victim to the plague or depression. In All Fall Down each player takes the role of a child living in a small village during a horrible outbreak – there is no gamemaster in this game. Throughout the course of the game the players’ characters will choose to either remain inside, alone, or go outside where they may play but where they also have a greater chance of contracting whatever foul disease has befallen their community.

For four to ten players. This game involves storytelling and does not involve combat mechanics of any type. Intended for mature audiences only.

 

[Ace]

All Fall Down a unique storytelling game

All Fall Down is a unique storytelling game by Ronin Arts. Unlike most Ronin arts products it is not per se a role-playing game. It is instead a competitive story telling game. The game requires few components, pencil, paper, a six sided die and some counters. If making counters is inconvenient or the players are willing to forgo some of the feel of the game the counters could be substituted for two six sided dice, each a different color.

Beofre we begin a Disclaimer: This is a compensated review

The PDF is itself is short at four pages long including the cover which is full color with an abstract picture of a reddish skull. It is adequately evocative. The games interior layout is sparse but easy to read and inexpensive to print

The rules are simple. Players take turns either staying inside (risking death by depression) or playing outside (and risking death by infection).

Being outside requires the player to tell a story which the other players must vote if it is good or bad. This has an impact on depression and sickenes points rasing them up in the case of a stumbled story or a story the others players vote is bad or down in the case of a good story. When either point total reaches six, the player is out.
The goal of the game is to be the last kid standing by a combination of clever storytelling and managing depression and illness points.

Various hooks and rules involving storytelling help keep the game moving and optional rules give it repeat play value.

I do have some minor issues with the game though. I am at a loss to figure out exactly whom the game is focused at. The games references to a game master seem to suggest “gamers” are the target market yet the incase of a tie the youngest player goes first rule suggests a family game. I find the topic might be a bit morbid for some younger players and the games style and rules too abstract for pure gamers.
This game instead fills the indy game niche filled by games like Baron Munchasen and My Life with Master.
With the right group of players the game can provide several evenings entertainment and at $2.95 the game is very well priced despite its length. You will get your moneys worth.
With the right group of players, for imaginative non gamers or for indy game collectors All Fall Down wins my recommendation

Style 5 for excellent layout

Substance 3 for well written rules but a bit short and difficult to find a play niche for

Average rating 4



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