{"id":260164,"date":"2022-10-10T07:55:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T12:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/?post_type=reviews&#038;p=260164"},"modified":"2022-10-09T22:24:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T03:24:59","slug":"destinies","status":"publish","type":"reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/destinies\/","title":{"rendered":"Destinies Game Review"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"amzn-ad amzn-enhanced-links-small\">\n        <div>\n            <div class=\"amzn-product\">\n                <span class=\"amzn-product-image-container\">\n                    <div class=\"amzn-product-image-holder\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"amzn-product-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41xcMrbLn1L._SL300_.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"amzn-product-image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41xcMrbLn1L._SL300_.jpg\"><\/noscript>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/span>\n                <div class=\"amzn-product-title-container\">\n                    <a rel=\"sponsored\" class=\"amzn-product-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B08Z46Z3S4?tag=meeplmount-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <span class=\"amzn-product-title-text\" title=\"Destinies Board Game - Immersive Storytelling and Adventure for Tabletop Enthusiasts, Ages 14+, 1-3 Players, 120-150 Minute Playtime, Made by Lucky Duck Games\">Destinies Board Game - Immersive Storytelling and Adventure for Tabletop Enthusiasts, Ages 14+, 1-3 Players, 120-150 Minute Playtime, Made by Lucky Duck Games<\/span>\n                    <\/a>\n                    <div class=\"amzn-product-price\">\n                        <span class=\"amzn-product-offer-price\">$34.97<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"amzn-sprite amzn-product-prime\"><\/span>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"amzn-product-buy-now-link-box\">\n                    <a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B08Z46Z3S4?tag=meeplmount-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"amzn-product-buy-now-link\">\n                        Buy Now\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Is it a game? A game system? One big QR code?<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m still not sure where I land on <i>Destinies<\/i> (2021, Lucky Duck Games) because it\u2019s such a hybrid experience. I know it\u2019s an app-driven RPG in a competitive play format that plays 1-3 players.<\/p>\n<p>But from there, I\u2019m torn. Some people love games\u2014or maybe, \u201cgames\u201d, depending on your point of view\u2014where everything you do is driven by an app. I actually don\u2019t mind this as long as the interaction with the app is minimal.<\/p>\n<p>Where I\u2019m struggling is the overall experience. When I won my second play of the game, a solo Explorer variant of the first campaign module, I didn\u2019t feel like I had won. The app said I won, though, so that means I won, right?<\/p>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> is a tricky proposition. Many of the elements are rock solid, but other elements leave you feeling the same way I felt after my second game. It made future plays harder to forecast.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260243 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260243\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1125;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-2.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>It\u2019s Day 39 (Press OK)<\/h2>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> was designed as the first in the \u201cDestinies System\u201d: app-driven role-playing game (RPG) experiences where players would share a map but compete separately to achieve their personal character\u2019s destiny. That destiny is usually either a peaceful resolution, in the form of a fetch quest, or a violent one, where the player would need to kill something, or maybe kill something that is carrying something that could be forged into something else for the sole purpose of defeating a different bad guy.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing I noticed about <i>Destinies<\/i>: the miniatures. Some of these sculpts are stellar; I don\u2019t know why these are so nice, since many of the minis are not on the map for very long. No matter: the miniatures are great, and the quality production elements shine through every part of the <i>Destinies<\/i> package.<\/p>\n<p>The dice are beautiful. The insert is perfect. The player boards are impressive and didn\u2019t warp during their time waiting to arrive in my hot little hands. Great rulebook. The card stock is strong and the artwork on each of the game\u2019s tiles, laying out the town where <i>Destinies<\/i> is set, is also excellent. The box has heft, and that heft delivers in the form of quality through and through.<\/p>\n<p>The second thing I noticed were the QR codes on every single <i>Destinies<\/i> card. (The official name for the game\u2019s structure is Scan &amp; Play, so you\u2019ll need a device equipped with a camera to take many actions in the game.) There are QR codes everywhere in <i>Destinies<\/i>, and I\u2019m still not sure where I land on this. In the COVID era, Americans were forced to use QR codes to scan restaurant menus damn near everywhere for a couple of years.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260240 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260240\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1125;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-5.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>But in <i>Destinies<\/i>, these QR codes are used to interact with the game\u2019s app to have various in-game characters tell you more about that lockpick or sword you are holding. Or, maybe you are holding a rosary, and multiple people will remind you how important praying for forgiveness is during troubling times. Even your character card has QR codes\u2014two of them!\u2014so that you can ask various characters about tips on how to achieve one of your personal destiny\u2019s victory conditions.<\/p>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> made me think hard about why I like playing board games in person: to be away from screens. That makes interacting with an app even harder; I only signed on to play games to get away from a screen, yet this game requires me to enter everything into the app to drive the action.<\/p>\n<p>Movement? Use the app to pick your new tile, even though you have a physical tile in front of you. Skill checks and attribute tests? Roll the dice in real life, then enter your total in the app to see what happens next. Walk into the blacksmith\u2019s building? Now that you\u2019re here, pick from one of the five choices on the screen. One of those choices is usually \u201cAsk the ____ about your destiny\u201d, which allows for you to scan another QR code to see what this character can offer in terms of advice on future choices.<\/p>\n<p>None of this is a problem on its own, but as a 60-to-90-minute gaming experience, it really wore on me:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use the app to confirm that it is your turn\u2014\u201dDay 39\u2014Nun\u2014Recover One Effort Die\u201d, the game will say for roughly the 39th time<\/li>\n<li>Tap an interest area on the map, then add additional tiles, then roll dice to complete tests<\/li>\n<li>Work through 2-5 on-screen prompts to see what you\u2019ve learned<\/li>\n<li>Regularly discover new tiles, adding those to the growing map, or add 4-8 cards from a master deck with items you can buy in shops<\/li>\n<li>Lather, rinse, repeat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is not an exaggeration to say that <i>Destinies <\/i>often feels more like an exercise than a game. Having agency to make choices that could be detrimental is sorely lacking in about 75% of the game\u2019s interactions.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260242 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260242\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1125;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260242\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-3.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>Thematic? Uhh\u2026<\/h2>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> is set in a dark fantasy world (which I don\u2019t believe is ever named) where choices matter. For a long-time video gamer, hundreds of games have taken advantage of this to great effect: <i>The Witcher, Mass Effect, XCOM, Fallout<\/i>, and many more.<\/p>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> sells itself as a game that is unique in this way, which I think is both right and wrong. For a tabletop gamer, this does feel novel, but for a video game fanatic, this is old news. In the <i>Dragon Age<\/i> video games, you could do this kind of thing 10 years ago. Same for <i>Mass Effect<\/i> and the <i>Fallout<\/i> franchise where actions have ramifications throughout the game\u2014for instance, providing help to an ally\u2019s faction early in a game could lead to that ally \u201cremembering\u201d that you helped them to affect future choices.<\/p>\n<p>In <i>Destinies<\/i>, I can\u2019t really tell what the hook is. Worse, the theme for each character is different\u2026until it is not.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example. In that second game, I played as the Nun for the first campaign session (of the four included, and the designers recommend playing the campaign in order), and to begin play, she is given a rosary. This felt right: I\u2019m a woman of the cloth, so I should have a rosary.<\/p>\n<p>But by the midpoint of this game, I had some other things that didn\u2019t quite feel right. Swords? Well, I guess that eventually, you\u2019re going to have to fight other beings in the world. But why not something like holy water instead? Or maybe the ability to fight evil with something grabbed from a church, like a small crucifix?<\/p>\n<p>Late in that game, I found my sword-wielding nun wearing chain mail armor. Chain mail? For a woman of the cloth?<\/p>\n<p>In that same game, I had to scale a ladder inside of a barn. That felt right; I need to get up to the second level of the barn to check out what\u2019s going on up there.<\/p>\n<p>But I ended that turn with a ladder in my <i>possession<\/i>. Yes, a ladder. Worse, this ladder had a power to affect die rolls on future turns.<\/p>\n<p>So, you\u2019re saying I have a limit of five items to carry around the game world, but I can throw a ladder in my oversized book bag? And you\u2019re saying that the ladder doesn\u2019t allow me to scale any other building in the game later, and it also affects the die rolls for attribute checks that have nothing to do with what a ladder might really be used for?<\/p>\n<p>The moment this ladder bit happened, I found myself slowly falling off of the <i>Destinies<\/i> bandwagon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_260239\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-260239\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260239 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260239\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1125;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1200x900.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-6.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-260239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The app is quite easy to navigate<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Solo Roguelike<\/h2>\n<p>My first game of <i>Destinies<\/i> was a solo game where I went through the Challenger mode, in which I only had eight turns to beat the game.<\/p>\n<p>While I got absolutely smoked (there are ways to add turns to the game, but not much in my experience), I love that <i>Destinies<\/i> has a roguelike version attached. Similar to <i>The Binding of Isaac <\/i>and some other video game roguelikes I\u2019ve played in recent years (<i>Slay the Spire<\/i> and <i>Darkest Dungeon<\/i> come to mind), <i>Destinies<\/i>, in its Challenger mode, is simply meant to educate, as well as speed up what could turn into a long game in the wrong hands.<\/p>\n<p>Which is why I would recommend solo if you are going to make the leap to buy this game. Downtime in <i>Destinies<\/i> is the biggest reason why I am glad Lucky Duck went with a max of three players and not four. I can\u2019t even imagine <i>Destinies<\/i> at two players because solo plays so much faster and delivers the same payoff that a multiplayer experience would for me.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260244 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260244\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1125;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-260244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1125\" data-wp-pid=\"260244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-74x55.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 74w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-111x83.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 111w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-300x225.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?size=528x396&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 528w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-600x450.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 600w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-768x576.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-990x743.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 990w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-1024x768.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1200w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1-1320x990.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1320w, https:\/\/b1803394.smushcdn.com\/1803394\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Destinies-1.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>It\u2019s a Chore. Beautiful, But a Chore<\/h2>\n<p><i>Destinies<\/i> is a classy, well-built production that won\u2019t work for everyone. It didn\u2019t work for me.<\/p>\n<p>Games that feature analog gameplay with a taste of app-based features? Count me in. But almost all of <i>Destinies<\/i> plays through the app. I\u2019d rather play a video game instead.<\/p>\n<p>Solo is the way to go here\u2014in fact, all of my four plays were solo. While <i>Destinies<\/i> is not for me, I will recommend this to solo gamers who like app-based play wholeheartedly. After a single read of the excellent rulebook, I knew all that I needed to get moving and launch the app. With no other players to slow me down, I was able to play <i>Destinies<\/i> in 30-60 minutes solo, with games in Challenger going a bit shorter since I was losing so fast.<\/p>\n<p>The physical production is beautiful but in many ways feels wasted. I was surprised how often I pulled out a miniature, only to never really interact with it. The minis bring the app to life but not enough to justify this much plastic in the box.<\/p>\n<p>On my final play, in the second of four scenarios in the campaign, I didn\u2019t even pull out the tiles and miniatures. Sticking with just the app and the deck of cards kept my play area clean, and I just moved around on the app when I needed to look at a new tile.<\/p>\n<p>That I could even do that and get away with not setting up half of the game was quite telling. <i>Destinies<\/i> has added four expansions, so I\u2019ll hold onto my copy to see how those expansions change the game. As a two-player co-op, I could see <i>Destinies<\/i> as a potential experience for my wife and I to try, especially if expansions help the game break away from such a heavy reliance on the app.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Justin reviews the game Destinies, published by Lucky Duck Games!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":260245,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[1996],"coauthors":[6089],"class_list":["post-260164","reviews","type-reviews","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure-board-games","category-exploration-board-games","category-fantasy-board-games","category-medieval-board-games","category-miniatures-board-games","tag-board-game-app","designers-filip-milunski","designers-michal-golebiowski","mechanisms-dice-rolling","mechanisms-map-addition","mechanisms-role-playing","mechanisms-solo-solitaire-game","mechanisms-storytelling","mechanisms-tile-placement","publishers-asmodee-italia","publishers-asmodee-korea","publishers-cmon-global-limited","publishers-gem-klub-kft","publishers-grimspire","publishers-hobby-japan","publishers-hobby-world","publishers-last-level","publishers-lucky-duck-games","publishers-rexhry","artists-karolina-jedrzejak","artists-magdalena-leszczynska","release_year-2436","release_year-2622"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Destinies Game Review &#8212; Meeple Mountain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Justin reviews the game Destinies, published by Lucky Duck Games!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/destinies\/\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/destinies\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Board Game Reviews\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Destinies Game Review\"}]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Destinies Game Review &#8212; Meeple Mountain","description":"Justin reviews the game Destinies, published by Lucky Duck Games!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/destinies\/","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/destinies\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Board Game Reviews","item":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/reviews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Destinies Game Review"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews\/260164"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/reviews"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews\/260164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260164"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=260164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}