Its hard to give this product a good review. It seems like an interesting but as a print and play/ digital presentation it just stinks. On the vast majority of cards the text is white overlayed on top of some kind of image this makes the text nearly illegible when viewed on pc. To print these at home would use an obscene amount of ink and there is really no need for it. Granted there are a lot of cards where the art is used for inspiration but these can be separate from the cards that are purely for reading. Also, I've been trying to hand convert the cards into something more useable using various tools but there are so many cards its not really worth my time. Its a shame, as it seems like a pretty well thought out system. The publisher should update this product with a plain, text only version that is easier to read and print.

Radiance is a card based engine for running any RPG. It’s primarily for solo or GMless play. I’m solo so its aimed squarely at me.

I’ve had a hard time playing solo. I’ve tried pretty much every system going. I very much like Mythic but I struggle to be creative when I want to be surprised. I need something to take the lead for me.

This card system does just that. You play through 8 cards that set out “The heroes journey”. Turn over a story card to be presented with an over arching plot (or just pick one of course). Play proceeds by revealing a story card for each of the 8 main cards linking them to the over arching plot. Stories themselves are resolved by playing path cards (generally 2). These are specific events or issues to overcome or experience.

You can go deeper by playing independent stories if the desire takes you, or B story cards which are like side plots. You can gain cubes from completing cards which act as bennies that can be played for bonus effects. If you go for the Advanced set (also available here) you can play many other main stories (instead of the heroes journey) like one specifically for investigations. There is also a set of cards that helps you to run different NPC’s and intelligently randomise their actions.

I’m surprised this system hasn’t sold better. The kickstarter campaign was very successful but I missed it.

To summarise, I think this is a fantastic engine for anyone who likes to be guided more than you would get from something like Mythic etc. It does this in such an elegant way. It gently coaxes your creativity and has the potential to unlock limitless and endlessly varied stories.

It’s now my system of choice. Highly recommended!