Angel's Citadel reviewed this product. You can check out our thoughts here: https://angelscitadel.com/2022/04/15/review-defiant/

TL;DR - We are both excited about this product and can't wait to get some actual play time in with a trusted group.

It's a very well composed product. At reading, I felt chaperoned through the game, mechanics and settings. At the table, the game guides me through any passage, with tips to help players stucked, and some advice to run the game properly. Brilliant, indeed.

A very solid, well-thought-out rulebook. The rule system is a tad on the heavy side, and there are a lot of details to keep in mind at all times, but the book explains itself neatly. I was very impressed with the player project mechanics and how cleverly it was streamlined into everyday gaming. I admit I'm not entirely convinced about the many elements of randomness in character creation (card drawing), but it seems to be extremely popular nowadays. Other than that, the book left a good impression on me. If social interactions and court intrigues are your thing, you will be in heaven (or inferno... or a Leviathan holding :-P).

Hey there!

I was informed of this game through the newsletter and was instantly hooked. I bought it the day it came out or just a little bit later. And definitely don't regret it. It is an incredible interesting setting and while the book is super long (at least for a newbie like me), I am more than willing than go through all of it. I am very excited to finaly GM a group.

(Please keep in mind, that I am the farthest thing from an expert) And please correct me, if I am wrong.

Let's start with the characters. At first I was sceptic about the whole let's-draw-cards-to-make-the-basics-of-the-characters, but now I got used to the idea and even began seeing the benefits. I mean, they can still choose one of the cards they drew, but it challenges them and makes them think outside of the box. And the fact that they are royalty is even better. They will have responsibility and will have to make hard decisions, from which they can't run away. Every action has a consequence and while it will not end in death, at least in most cases, it can be bad. Plus, they have to be married. Which is quite the opportunity to Roleplay and explore the depths of the characters. ( And it seems that being part of the LGBTQIA+ community is normal and respected and isn't that fantastic???? Sorry, my queer heart just can't take it. At least that's what I gathered till page 300 or so.) The setting is also quite the treat. An apocalyptic world, that has some safe spaces left and these are ruled by supernatural royalty. The "outside world" remains ignorant of the Apocalypse. (That suspiciously sounds like reality.) And the founders of the Domains are basically Rebels (or Traitors), since they refused to take their place in the Apocalypse. And now they have their own hierachy and their own sets of customs, rules and laws, which reminds me of a historical court. Scandal, intrigues and trying to win favours, while ruling over a court? Sign me up. There is something gritty and seductive about this world, which may have to do with the fact, that debauchery is seemingly quite common there, even though I think you can play without it. But...just...yesssss. As for the Mechanics...well, I am too much of a beginner in these kinds of games, to really have an opinion. But I can say, that I still enjoy the mechanics. (Whhich sounds kind of bleak in face of my previous b outs of fangirling...yeah.)

So, I guess I rambled enough. I just want to thank the author for putting the care and passion into this Game. You did a great job! Ok. That's it.

Bye

A great game which knows what it is - and having a strong identity should help it a lot on a market full of games to choose from, I think. I particularly enjoy it as a tale of relations and relationships, one where the journey is the important part, not the finale. That makes it a satisfying experience even if due to real life circumstances you are unable to finalise your game (which is all too common in my opinion - campaigns never reaching the finish line) as you'd wish. As it is about telling a great story and not a "play to win" type of a game, it is most likely not for everybody. But if you enjoy storytelling, collaboration, (fan)fiction and shipping as such -- I think you have a high chance to enjoy it.

And if you don't enjoy any of those things you can still play it as a highly dramatic adventure tale about trying to defy the end of the world and enjoy it too.

Boy, does this game deliver. Beautiful art design is nice, as is the abundance of interesting, easy to read fluff, but the mechanics are where this game really shines and what makes it groundbraking, especially for people interested in having the players' characters impact the world in a meaningful way. Seems really easy to run even for beginner GMs too. Can't wait to play it with my crew.