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LEGAL NOTICE:
“Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is a trademark and copyright owned by the Delta Green Partnership, who has licensed its use here. Illustrations by Dennis Detwiller are reproduced by permission. The contents of this review are © Stuart Anderson excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.”
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In what seems like an astonishingly short space of time, Delta Green has firmly become one of my all-time favourite role-playing games. So you can imagine my delight when the fine folks at Arc Dream Publishing agreed to send me the a physical copy of arguably one of the most famous Delta Green campaigns in exchange for an honest and objective review.
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Oh, and there’s also a brief recount of my first play session as handler that appears after the review – so I’ll be sure to signpost when the best time is to avoid spoilers!
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‘Fear Is a Fractal….and your world is a lie. A horror freed from an antique book reverberates through reality, shaking things, reordering them and making them run like wax. Doors open to endless Victorian hallways where threats stalk the shadows on clockwork limbs, cold metal seeking the warmth of blood and bone. Madness pursues at every turn, baring its teeth to speak your name, and you can’t escape because it’s inside you.
But don’t despair. There is hope. A King waits for us. Beyond the tumbledown façade of the world, through the twists and tunnels of the human imagination, past the edge of everything sane, the King waits in the country of Carcosa. The place all madmen go. There, and only there, is the answer to everything……..The last answer.”
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Impossible Landscapes is a bona fide classic from the Delta Green RPG, a thrilling tabletop role-playing game set in a world where secret government agencies investigate and confront cosmic horror. In this particular campaign, players are plunged into a surreal and mind-bending landscape, where reality itself starts to unravel.
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The story revolves around a mysterious figure known as “The King in Yellow,” a haunting character from the works of Robert W. Chambers. As the tale unfolds, the agents are drawn deeper into a web of ancient conspiracies and sanity-shattering secrets. They must navigate through strange dreams, encounter enigmatic beings, and grapple with their own sanity as they try to uncover the truth behind the painting and the dark forces it represents.
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As players embark on their journey, they are confronted with an array of enigmatic puzzles and twisted challenges that require them to think outside the box. Each step taken leads them deeper into a dark abyss, where their own fears and anxieties are mirrored and amplified. The campaign masterfully weaves together a tapestry of intricate plot threads, keeping players on the edge of their seats as they untangle the secrets hidden in the nightmarish landscapes.
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Our Thoughts on the Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes book – A Mind-Bending Descent into Madness
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One of the standout features of Impossible Landscapes is its presentation. The book is filled with surreal and unsettling artwork that perfectly complements the campaign’s themes. The layout is clear and easy to follow, with supplemental materials provided for the Keeper to aid in running the game. On a purely aesthetic level, the visual presentation of the content is truly impressive. Dennis Detwiller’s captivating cover art and meticulous writing contribute to the overall appeal. The artwork serves as a means to enhance the game’s narrative and ignite players’ imaginations. In this particular instance, the book is accompanied by full-colour illustrations that pay homage to its origins while maintaining a striking visual presence. The artwork within “Delta Green” has consistently been recognized for its exceptional quality, effectively capturing the game’s dark and suspenseful atmosphere. The illustrations exude a sense of realism, with intricate details that effectively convey the gritty and perilous nature of the game’s universe.
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Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to explore countless dark and twisted worlds – some of of them have even taken place in a table top role playing game……However, Impossible Landscapes, stands out as an exceptionally mind-bending and sanity-shattering experience. Developed by Arc Dream Publishing, this campaign plunges players into the heart of cosmic horror, offering a unique and unforgettable journey. In this review, I will touch upon the dark recesses of this TTRPG campaign, exploring its narrative, mechanics, and overall impact on the players.
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Impossible Landscapes masterfully captures the essence of cosmic horror. The campaign’s narrative is an intricate tapestry of surreal and disturbing events that intertwine with real-world history, art, and conspiracy theories. It challenges players to confront the limits of their understanding as they navigate a world where reality itself is in question. Indeed, it is the captivating narrative that truly sets Impossible Landscapes apart. Delving into the depths of the human psyche, it explores themes of obsession, despair, and the fragility of the human mind. The characters they encounter along the way, whether allies or adversaries, are multi-dimensional and leave a lasting impression. Their stories intertwine with the larger narrative, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and mystery.
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The atmosphere is nothing short of oppressive. The campaign oozes with an ever-present sense of dread, leaving players perpetually on edge. The vivid descriptions of nightmarish landscapes and eldritch entities are genuinely unsettling, making it a truly immersive experience for fans of Lovecraftian horror.
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While Impossible Landscapes excels in storytelling and atmosphere, its game mechanics may feel slightly light to some players. The Delta Green system is built on percentile dice, and combat can be deadly and fast-paced. However, the focus of the campaign leans more towards investigation and psychological horror, and some players might find combat encounters less engaging as a result.
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The Keeper (Game Master) will need to be well-prepared and flexible to manage the complex narrative and provide meaningful choices for the players. Additionally, the campaign assumes that players have prior experience with Delta Green, which might be intimidating for newcomers.
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This is a tour de force in the world of TTRPGs, offering a harrowing journey into the abyss of cosmic horror. Its compelling narrative, atmospheric storytelling, and psychological depth make it a must-play for fans of Lovecraftian horror and Delta Green enthusiasts. While the mechanics may pose a slight learning curve and the campaign demands a skilled Keeper, the rewards for those who embrace its mind-bending challenges are immeasurable. Prepare to lose your grip on reality and confront the impossible in this unforgettable descent into madness.
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So gather your closest friends, sharpen your pencils, and prepare to face the unknown. The world of Impossible Landscapes beckons, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Will you have what it takes to navigate the twisted corridors of the mind and emerge victorious? Embark on this gripping adventure and find out for yourself!
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Impossible Landscapes promises to transport both players and Game Masters to a world of unimaginable terror and intrigue. Whether you’re a seasoned role-playing veteran or new to the genre, this campaign offers a truly unforgettable experience that will linger long after the final session is over. So prepare yourself for a descent into the shadows, where the line between reality and nightmare becomes increasingly blurred. Just remember, once you enter the world of Impossible Landscapes, there may be no turning back.
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Account of Play Session 1: Delta Green RPG – Impossible Landscapes (The Night Floors)
(Note – some specific elements of the session have been removed so as to avoid some spoilers…but beware and read on with some care as there may still be some clues ahead me lovelies. The identities of the players and handler have been removed to avoid embarrassment and recriminations!)
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Greetings, fellow Delta Green agents, handlers and casual observers. Gather around for a tale of a nightmarish romp into the heart of cosmic horror, courtesy of Impossible Landscapes.
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Your scene is thus: the summer of 1995, New York City, and a bunch of our unsuspecting agents, fresh-faced and ready for action…….Our intrepid agents assembled at a rather non-descript-looking artist co-op known as the Macallistar building. Their mission? To find the mysteriously vanished artist Abigail Wright. Seemed simple enough, right? Well, little did they know that they were about to take a one-way ticket to a place I like to call “Carcosa’s Very Own Fun House.”
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The evening started calmly enough, with agents poking around a local park, taking in the seemingly gentle lazy summer afternoon atmosphere, and probably wondering why they didn’t take that desk job at the FBI instead. Then there were paintings, books and clowns………But as night fell, dear friends, the Macallistar building transformed into something out of a Stephen King novel on LSD.
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Infinite rooms, twisting and turning, each one leading to a different flavor of Carcosan madness. It was like an Escher painting on steroids. The agents had no choice but to get a crash course in cosmic horror, and let me tell you, they aced it…in screaming, running, and fumbling for their sanity rolls.
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They met entities that would make Lovecraft himself reach for his nightlight. They deciphered cryptic messages and clues that would’ve stumped Sherlock Holmes on his worst day. And somewhere along the way, they began to learn about the King in Yellow, a fellow who could give the Joker a run for his money in the clown department.
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As their handler, I couldn’t help but chuckle at their expressions of sheer bewilderment and terror. It’s not every day you get to watch your friends go from “What’s going on?” to “Why is that statue telling me to wear a yellow suit and laugh like a maniac?” in a matter of hours.
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But hey, that’s the charm of Impossible Landscapes, isn’t it? A perfect blend of art, madness, and the unnerving realisation that maybe, just maybe, reality is a fragile concept best left unexamined.
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So, fellow Handlers, if you ever get the chance to run “The Night Floors” for your agents, remember to keep a straight face, and let the madness unfold. It’s all part of the cosmic circus, and we’re just here to enjoy the show.
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Some final play session thoughts….
Session 1 of Impossible Landscapes is an erudite and challenging horror campaign book that rewardsk careful preparation before the role-play session.
The campaign is full of complex ideas and themes, such as the nature of reality, the dangers of knowledge, and the corrupting influence of the King in Yellow. Players will need to think critically about the events of the campaign in order to survive. The campaign is designed to be difficult, both in terms of the combat encounters and the psychological challenges that the agents will face. Handlers should be prepared to push their players to their limits.
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You can rest assured that the campaign is incredibly rewarding for both players and Handlers who are willing to put in the time and effort to prepare for it. The sense of accomplishment that comes from completing the campaign is unmatched.
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Here are some tips for Handlers who are preparing to run Session 1 of Impossible Landscapes:
Read the campaign thoroughly. There is a lot of information to take in, but it is important to understand the overall premise of the campaign as well as the specific details of Session 1.
Talk to your players. Find out what kind of experience they are looking for, and be prepared to adjust the campaign accordingly.
Don’t be afraid to improvise. The campaign is very open-ended, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the script. If your players come up with something unexpected, be prepared to go with it.
Have fun! Impossible Landscapes is a unique and exciting campaign, so enjoy the ride.
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Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes is available here at DriveThruRPG
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Full disclosure: This product was sent to us for an honest and objective review. No promises were made of financial remuneration, free gifts or holidays in the sunny Bahamas in exchange for our review…….sadly
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