Discover what it means to be a monster in this fast-paced two player TTRPG, HUNTER(ER/ED)
A Two-Player RPG inspired by a popular drinking game that takes place in the midst of the chase between a monster hunter and the monster they hunt
Monster lovers Meghan Cross and Dillin Apelyan have teamed up to create an intimate two-player RPG that uses simple-yet-evocative mechanics inspired by a fast-paced drinking game, Ring & Hook. The game fully funded in under four (4) hours and met its first stretch goal on day one!
In this game, which launched on Kickstarter July 15, 2024, one player embodies the Hunter, set out to capture or destroy a terrifying monster. The other embodies the Monster, a powerful creature on the run. Play oscillates between a tense race to gain the upper hand and zoomed-in vignettes that explore who these characters really are and discover what it means to be a monster.
What is a Monster?
The team behind HUNT(er/ed) answers that question for themselves:
Meghan Cross, co-designer: "A monster is something unknown - something that appears, thinks, and acts in ways beyond understanding and uses that unknowing to its advantage to frighten and unnerve their victims. To me, the true scariness of monsters comes from the fact that there is no one way that a monster looks - monstrosity is as much in the eye of the beholder as it is in the monster itself - which means that a howling creature stalking you in the dark can be just as terrifying as the smiling person in the crisp suit of the pile of clean, unfolded laundry that needs to be put away. (In my opinion, the laundry is more terrifying).
Dillin Apelyan, co-designer: "The thing that invokes fear in you, justified or not. I feel like I should also say laundry."
Seb Pines, Editor: "A monster is every delicious desire, every thrilling fear, and every abhorred aspect of ourselves that we long to revel in wrapped up in claws and teeth and fur."
Sonya Henar, cover artist: "A culmination of your deepest darkest fears tested beyond recognition, made absolutely feral and bloodthirsty, and given physical form. Either that or doing the dishes or laundry...those are monsters to me."
Two Ways to Play
The game can be played with the hook and ring game that inspired it, or with a dice variant that involves both players rolling two six-sided dice in an effort to get doubles before the other and advance their token. The hook and ring variant creates a slightly more skill-based game, whereas the dice variant leaves everything to chance, so your favored way to play may vary. In both versions, you'll need either the custom card deck (which is available as an add-on) or a regular deck of playing cards.
Only ten (10) deluxe editions of the game have been offered at the time of the Kickstarter launch, which includes a custom hook and ring game set that has the HUNT(er/ed) logo emblazoned to it. At the time of writing this release there are only two (2) left available.
Experience the game in action
A few actual play channels have already showcased this game coinciding with the launch so you can see (or hear, as the case may be) the game in action.
One Shot, a weekly podcast that showcases a new TTRPG every month, newly hosted by Dillin Apelyan and joined by Robin Ekberg (The Atomless, Patchwork Productions), featured the game and released the first episode on launch day. This session leaned more into the horror potential of the game, venturing into a nautical, religious journey.
Dead Ghost Productions, the studio known for Replay and Kill Every Monster, also produced a one-shot using this game featuring co-producer Dylan Malenfant and Dillin Apelyan. This session played in a suburban horror not unlike Stranger Things, following a desperately curious teenage girl and a being determined not to be found.
And queeRPG leaned into the power dynamics present in the game and explored environmental horror and the very familiar horrors of capitalism taken to a supernatural extreme, featuring co-producer Kenzie and Lexi (aka BlackGirlMage).
Which will you play, the Monster? Or the Hunter? And what will that mean for you?
Since the game has funded and exceeded its stretch goals, Meghan and Dillin plan to announce additional stretch goals shortly, and the game is expected to be showcased at Gen Con, Big Bad Con, and Pax Unplugged in 2024.
