Caregiver

Caregiver is a fantasy storytelling game for one player, about helping a bunch of clueless heroes on a perilous journey, using only vague hints and spiritual guidance.

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You are a supernatural entity, formless, ageless, born of a single desire: to see humans flourish. You try to keep the adventurers safe and provide for them, doing good where you can, but your influence is barely a whisper, so it’s difficult.

The heroes act on their own, heading off into the wilderness, discovering strange lands and facing hideous monsters. Their efforts are inherently random, determined by cards you draw for them, but you can subtly influence them for the better.

It’s a lot of work! But without you, they’re as good as dead.

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This single-player game takes about two hours to play, using this booklet, a game sheet, and a deck of regular playing cards. After you finish the first journey, try an advanced adventure!

Main inspirations include the journaling indie scene, Eye of the Beholder, Legend of Grimrock, Monster Hunter, Bio Inc. Redemption, The Black Hack, and too many JRPGs to count.