Destinies – A Spoiler-Free Review!

Destinies is an incredibly immersive app-driven RPG that allows players to engage in quests and map out their fates, all without the need for a game master. The base game offers five unique scenarios with three characters for each, and each character has two paths to choose from.

Destinies is for 1-3 players ages 14+, and each scenario plays in about 120-150 minutes. Lucky Duck Games flexed their hybrid game development experience to deliver this exquisite title.

The solo modes allow for a choice of a more relaxing story experience, or a challenging option with time pressure and added events.

The App

The game requires a free app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Steam. Once downloaded, the game can be played without wifi access.

The first scenario, The Nature of the Beast, is a stand-alone option suggested for the initial play. Then, it is recommended to play the subsequent scenarios in order with the same play group as a campaign.

Set Up

Choose your scenario from the menu in the Destinies app and read the text aloud for everyone. When the character selection screen appears, each player taps their character and takes their board, Main Dice, Effort Dice, one coin, and the character’s Destiny Card and miniature.

The app provides further instructions regarding special item cards to take, the placement of map tiles, and setting each character’s skill ranking.

Overview

Each player in Destinies is trying to fulfill their character’s personal destiny, and the two options for doing so are presented on the back side of each character card. To complete their mission, players need to explore the map, obtain items, and talk to the characters that appear in the game. Ultimately, players want to engage in their Finale and succeed with their end tasks to achieve victory. Players can switch between their two paths throughout the game, but once a Finale is triggered, there is no turning back.

Game Play

At the start of their turn, the player first refreshes one of their Effort Dice by moving it onto their player board. It is now available for rolling during Tests, if a player chooses to do so.

Then, the player may move to any map tile within two tiles of their current location, but must stop after moving onto an unexplored tile. Alternatively, a player can choose to remain on their current tile. This action is carried out by tapping on the screen, and the app will prompt the player to turn over a Map Tile on the table and add Points of Interest, which could be locations or characters.

Finally, the player taps on the Point of Interest they want to interact with, and the app displays story, dialogue, and options to choose from. These options can include interactions, tests, item or destiny card scanning, and trading. Each choice affects the character’s trajectory in the game, and sometimes a player can choose more than one option during their turn. The app tells players when their turn is over if the player doesn’t choose to end it first.

Tests

While an interaction offers an immediate effect or choice to make, tests require players to roll their Mission and Effort Dice to achieve variable success (or succumb to defeat). Each test reflects one of the three character skills on the player board: Intelligence, Dexterity, and Power.

At minimum, the player must roll their two Main Dice, but then may choose to roll any number of available Effort Dice. Sum these numbers and compare that with the skill being tested. For each skill marker to the left of the sum of these dice a player receives a success, which is then submitted on the app to see the results of the Test. There are different levels of success that provide varying results and paths forward. When failing Tests, players still gain experience and get the ability to improve their chosen skill(s).

Winning

Using character interactions and the information gained from them, helpful items, and clues for how to proceed through the adventure, each player strives to fulfill their destiny before the other(s).

When the player meets the requirements of one of the destinies on the back of their character card they can launch their Finale at the designated Point of Interest. The app guides players through their end scene and tasks. Multiple players can be working towards their Finale simultaneously. It’s possible to have difficulty completing the Finale, which allows for others to swoop in, complete their own Finale, and win.

Impressions

Let’s just get right to it: we were completely blown away by Destinies.

We had never really ventured into the world of Role-playing games before. But with all the positive buzz surrounding Destinies on its release, we were intrigued by the app and its story-driven/choose-your-own-adventure style game play. I love immersing myself in a created world, forging my path and discovering the outcomes of my choices, both in board games and video games. This style of play, however, is not usually a favorite of my husband’s.

We unfairly assumed that the game would feel too big or difficult to get into. We were pleased to discover this wasn’t the case at all. The app guides players through everything, making Destinies easy to learn. This ease of play, combined with a quick setup, makes the game feel much more approachable than our initial impression. (Note that games are quite long to play!)

We really loved choosing our characters and setting out on our individual journeys. The dice weren’t always nice, but even bad rolls still rewarded our characters in some manner.

It’s difficult to determine how many Map Tiles or Points of Interest weren’t revealed during our plays, but it feels like we still have much to uncover in our first two scenarios. We always had unexplored Map Tiles and Points of Interest on our table at game finale, and probably still had Map Tiles in the stack we hadn’t yet discovered. We feel the game is highly replayable, and I will be using our unplayed character in my solo campaign.

Each scenario took us about 90 minutes to play with two players.

There were three big standouts for us with game play: Tests, Results, and Choices.

Tests and Skill Tracks Matter

The Test system and skill tracks in this game are so unique. First, players must constantly re-evaluate which skills they wish to hone. I might go all-in on one and ignore the others – based on what is happening in the story and my chosen Destiny.

Players must also constantly think about how many Effort Dice to use beyond the two Main Dice. Only one Effort die usually gets refreshed at the start of a turn. Is a test worth using all three? Or can you possibly squeak by using one Effort Die, because you might need them again soon for another Test?

Results Matter

You can barely succeed during a test or wildly succeed – and the outcome of each will be different. Barely succeeding might simply allow you to move on at the location, while great success might permit you to obtain a valuable item first.

Sometimes it’s worth sticking around a Point of Interest and trying again to improve your outcome.

Choices Matter

Throughout the game, many choices are available at Points of Interest. For example, I can choose between praying in the church or attempting to steal from its collection plate. My choice will shape my character’s role in the game and in their Destiny. The app integration allows this system to feel vast, with decisions casting ripples throughout the rest of the game.

What We Dislike

We found most of the miniatures to be tiny and hard to differentiate between. When placing them on the Map Tiles, we could never remember which was which when looking at them. (Luckily, the app monitors who and what is on the board.)

Family Fun

We initially played Destinies during date nights. But soon our 8½-year-old was intrigued by the game; we will include her in our next campaign. At three players, we anticipate games will go two hours or more. So we plan to break each scenario into 2-3 manageable sessions. The app saves your progress, making it easy to dip in and out of the scenarios.

 We cannot speak to all the included content as we still have so much to discover (and we don’t want to spoil any storylines), but while the theme is definitely dark, it didn’t feel inappropriate. Your mileage may vary, and it’s important for families to conduct further research to determine if Destinies is appropriate for them.

Strong reading skills are important! There is quite a bit of text throughout the game.

Final Thoughts

Destinies was a huge hit for us. Each time we finish a scenario, we look forward to the next one. It’s been a long time since I have played a game that I thought about so much after putting on the box lid and placing it back on the shelf.

Destinies has quickly become one of my favorite games. And even though our family rarely buys expansions, I am very excited for expansions for this one.

I recommend Destinies if you:

• love a game that feels immersive and full of story.
• like choices and a strong sense of discovery in your board gaming.
• want to dip your toe into an easy-to-learn RPG with your older children.

Find it on Amazon or direct from Lucky Duck Games.

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The Family Gamers received a copy of Destinies from Lucky Duck Games for this review.

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