Posted on: June 7, 2023
Bigodenho
Verified ownerGames: 496 Reviews: 15
Simulator of a classic pen-and-paper RPG
Simulators are quite a big genre these days. Some companies even specialise in developing or publishing them. ENVy Softworks had an interesting idea to make a simulator of a classic pen-and-paper RPG. And so it is. B'n'B simulates discussing strategy with your party, listening to another player argue with a GM and rolling the dice from time to time. Sounds silly enough? Well, it should, because the game does not take itself too seriously. It is clearly a parody, even the title is a reference to the D'n'D. There are other references in the game, like Bugbeer, a joke on owlbears (which have become viral fandom memes). The dialogues in the game are actually quite funny, I really laughed a couple of times. B'n'B reminds me a bit of the recent film Honour Among Thieves. However, the film was brilliant, and the game is much worse. This simulator is really realistic - which means it has all the pros and cons of a pen-and-paper RPG. Do you know the situation where your character is out of action for some reason and you just watch the rest of your party play without you, and it is so uninteresting that you are so bored you literally fall asleep? The whole of B'n'B is like that. Most of the time it is just like a visual novel where you are reading dialogues between other members of your party or between them and the GM. Don't get me wrong. I love games with rich lore and compelling dialogue, but for something to be considered a game, the player has to interact with the environment rather than be a passive reader. And when it comes to choosing an action or an answer, there is always a time limit. I think that absolutely spoils the fun. There are types of games that should be fast-paced, like shooters or action games or even RTSs, and others that should be relaxing, like point-and-clicks or turn-based strategies. B'n'B could be such a relaxing experience, and it missed its chance.
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