The (Un)Naturalist is a solo journaling RPG in which you take on the role of a scientist exploring and documenting a tropical forest. As the research expedition progresses you must contextualize increasingly unnatural events. The game concludes when the expedition concludes, naturally or otherwise.
Do you dare to proceed boldly into the shifting unknown?
Game Features:
- 20 Page A5 Zine - Full Color with Soft Touch Matte Laminate Cover
- Customizable player characters with four research specialities to choose from
- 24 location based prompts with variants unlocked by your chosen expedition supplies
- Suggestions on how to personalize your expedition journal and transform it into a post-game artifact
The core fantasy of The (Un)Naturalist is one that glorifies the pursuit of knowledge. It's a game that says “it’s okay to not have all the answers, or to even have incorrect ones, so long as you continue to challenge your assumptions in a thoughtful and earnest way.” The game’s unusual scenarios and sepia toned pages tell a story of old-timey scientific expedition and adventure, it's up to the player to tap into their spirit of discovery! I’m incredibly proud of the support this project received in ZiMo 2022 and I’m thrilled to be bringing it to print!
This game is an open challenge to the community in which I offer the question: How can education and critical thinking be presented in the games we make? While gamification of the formal classroom setting is fascinating, how are we approaching learners in their own time, in their own interests?
What People Are Saying:
I had a great time with it! Applying the scientific method to clearly unnatural phenomena was what I absolutely loved about the game. Trying to concoct a coherent, testable hypothesis was a great brain teaser and an inspirational exercise. Drawing the illustrations was also fun. -Garnek, Solo Journaling Blogger
Just wanted to say, I bought this game two days ago. It's my first solo roleplaying experience and I am obsessed. The prompts are brilliant, and I've already written 11 pages in my journal. So much fun! -Admiral’s Vice - Itchio customer and player
The Team:
Donnie Kelly - Lead Designer
Brent Jans - Editor
Taylor D. Hewitt - Cover Artist
