Yes and no. Journey To The Overland is an open world game like Gloomhaven where you discover more of the world as you explore. Unlike Gloomhaven there is no set “path” you must take to begin play. Want to slay a dragon on Day 1 - go ahead and try. Want to be king - ok let me know how that works out for you. More than anything if you enjoy the world exploration aspect of Gloomhaven you will like Journey To The Overland.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 12:21

Absolutely. Like Legacy of Dragonholt Journey To The Overland is a largely paragraph driven game. However, unlike Legacy of Dragonholt you do not simply read the paragraphs and move to the next paragraph depending on the character your playing. In Journey To The Overland you “play” the paragraphs! In addition Journey To The Overland uses three unique card decks for Weather, Events, and Encounters to represent what is going on in the world around. Weather cards will affect what you can do that day particularly travel. Event cards let you know what is going on in the ‘kingdom’ as a whole for example a fair is in town. Encounter cards are the individuals you meet and interact with in your travels who may or may not help you. Finally, unlike Legacy of Dragonholt in Journey To The Overland you are not locked into a specific scenario path. The game has a myriad of scenarios depending on what you choose to do but it also allows you to simply “travel” and “explore” apart from any specific scenario in order to level your character up by gaining and spending experiencing points.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 12:21

Yes and no. JTO is a solo tabletop roleplaying game. Unlike most roleplaying games you do not need a game master or dungeon master to narrate the game or control the events and encounters for you character. The game rules, game cards and game map take care of all of this for you.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

JTO is a solo game which means it is designed to be played alone. While it is possible to play “with” another person where each of you create characters and travel alone or together on the same map, you do not play “against” each other. Instead all players would play against the game and its events or encounters.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

JTO is an open ended game which means that play continues from one game to the next. These games are called “sessions” and a typical session will last about an hour. You can end a session whenever you get to a point in the game where you want to stop and continue the next day. Usually however a session will consist of ‘one game week’ as you do game management (i.e. shuffle cards, pull new events, update stats).

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

Yes. In JTO characters have statistics that can go up “or down” over time depending on things that occur in the game. The primary means of increasing statistics is Experience Points which a character gains for doing certain actions or surviving certain encounters in the game. As you gain experience points two things will happen. First you will go up “levels”. Levels give you a rough idea of how strong or successful your character is. Each level increase also brings with it certain benefits or rewards. In addition to increasing in levels your accumulated experience points are “banked” over time and can be “spent” to purchase “Skills” or “Advanced Skills” that improve your character and give them new or special abilities.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

Yes and no. You will need a miniature (or token?) to represent our character and show where he is at on the map. In addition there are a lot of NPC or Non Player Characters in the game that you may choose to represent with miniatures but you do not have to. In addition many of the events or encounters in the game will allow NPCs to join you and travel with you and assist you. You may wish to represent these NPCs with miniatures as well.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

The first thing you do in JTO is create your character. The rules will guide you through this process and explain your options and where your character will start play. Once you character is created you will be able to “equip” them meaning buy them weapons, food and supplies (i.e. lantern, rope, boots, etc.). Once you are equipped your “first day” will begin. The first thing you must do is draw a Weather Card. The weather for the day may affect your options like whether or not you can travel. You will also pull one Event card. Event cards last the whole week and explain an event in the Overland that affects everyone – including you. At this point you have a lot of options. You can immediately set out on one of the Objectives outlined in the game but for most new characters it is recommended that you simply travel and gain experience. You can also seek work or a job in the town you are in. Or you can choose to try and meet with the Town Mayor or walk around and obtain News and Information. If you do travel, you will first “roll for getting lost”. The Overland is a big place and if you have not traveled in an area before there is a big chance you will get lost and have to travel in a random direction. Whether you get lost or not you will then roll ‘For An Encounter’. An encounter is a chance of meeting someone or something happening while travelling. If you have an encounter you will pull and “encounter” card. The card will explain what happens next and what your choices are. After the encounter, if you survive, you must eat if you have food and rest for the night. If you have no food you can try and hunt for food if you are in an area where is hunting is possible. If you do not eat you will get weak and lose Endurance points until you eat again or are healed. When you sleep it is preferable to sleep indoors however you can sleep outside if you have no choice but there is a chance you will be “robbed” during the night and lose all of your possessions and equipment. After eating and sleeping the “next day” begins with a new Weather Card and your turn to choose what you will do that day.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

I created JTO between 1984 and 1987 while in high school. Some of my favorite games during that period were BARBARIAN PRINCE by Dwarfstar Games, LONE WOLF AND MAGNUNMUND, by Joe Dever and DRAGONQUEST by SPI. I was also a big CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Marvel Comics fan as well as THE WARLORD comic series by DC Comics.

Last updated: March 14, 2018 13:27

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Last updated: April 03, 2018 08:14