Free, browser based. Finally got around to playing after it was praised in an online games discussion called Extra Credits.
You start out in prison (where else?), build up skills like Dangerous and Watchful, and get a certain number of actions over time that you can use to draw cards or adventure via “Storylets”. Set in a Victorian-seeming London with a mix of Lovecraft and Gaiman’s “Neverwhere” for inspiration.
If your Facebook friends play, you can check up on them, and possibly invite them by your digs. I currently reside in an abandoned crypt, but I’m sure my mysterious benefactor will help me move out.
As I’ve already said (and cursed you) on Facebook, this game is extremely intriguing. I’ve fiddled around with it for about ten minutes now and I’m very impressed.
“Like any prison, New Newgate has rats. Vicious and crafty beggars known as rattus faber. They’re skilful enough to make tiny picks, shovels and the occasional revolver.”
Sorry to hear, ITD. I think you’d like it, at least enough to try.
Notes from the underground:
Don’t let Nightmares get to 8. Yes, the game warns you about this, but I just had to go and find out for myself. I ended up burning about 20 turns with no stat or item gains, although I did end up completely nightmare free. By extension, other Menaces like Scandal and Suspicion probably should be kept from getting above 6 or 7. Not to say that there’s no reward at all for doing crazy, suspicious, or scandalous actions, just keep the menace score below eight.
The second chance buffs like Confident Smile and Sudden Insight, which are gained by inviting social network friends to do something, are totally worth it. Not only do they double your chances of beating a challenge, they allow you to debuff with negative stat items so that you get better stat gains and still have insurance that you’ll get the reward for the challenge. For instance, I draw a card that presents a low risk or straight forward challenge to Dangerous. By replacing my Brass Knuckles with Bottled Oblivion, thereby lowering my Dangerous by 6, I raise the challenge to modest or chancy. If I fail, I get the greater stat gain, plus another chance at it by automatically using a Hard-Earned Lesson. Then I have to remember to equip my Brass Knuckles again so that when I draw another card I can possibly get one that is unlocked by a higher Dangerous quality.