Tiny Library Preview

Have you ever tried to fit an entire semester’s notes onto one 3×5 index card for the final exam? What about something the size of a business card? Think you could design a playable game where everything you need to explain the rules and everything needed (minus some dice or whatever) could fit on that business card? I know I certainly could not. That is precisely why I admire everything about Tiny Library. Read on.

Tiny Library is a collection of 50 one-card RPGs to be played with a large assortment of players, or just one, in some instances. Many of these micro-games included have no winners or losers, but rather shared experiences or straight storytelling. Some are very stressful and some are not. When I say that this little deck of cards can provide the entertainment needed to satisfy gamers over an entire week, please consider what I am actually saying here.

DISCLAIMER: We were provided a prototype copy of this game for the purposes of this review. These are preview copy components, and I do not know for sure if the final components will be any different from these shown. Also, it is not my intention to detail every rule in the game, as there are just too many. You are invited to download the rulebook, back the game through the Kickstarter campaign, or through any retailers stocking it after fulfillment. -T

This is a different kind of preview because this is a different kind of monster here. Tiny Library is a hand-picked collection of RPGs or storytelling prompts that can be shared and enjoyed by so many different types of people, not just gamers. To setup, grab the deck of cards and choose one. You are now ready to play.

For this preview, I chose the cards pictured below. These gave me very different experiences and I can touch on them briefly, to give you readers an idea of what to expect in this deck. First, Flyers is a storytelling game for a few pilots who retell of their wartime glory days. Perhaps some players do not return for the scheduled reunion, but instead send proxies to tell their tale.

Next, Acrostic is a card that gives prompts for each letter of the alphabet. This is used for RPG characters to help flesh out a backstory. The character’s name determines which prompts to consider and help to answer questions about the character. Very cool, if you ask me.

The card with the hand icon is very interesting and very meta. It prompts the player to identify other members of this elite guild, where each member can identify each other by tracing certain patterns on each others’ palms. While this is super interesting to me, this occasion will only present itself among those who own this particular card/game.

In the Stars Tonight asks the player to plot out the constellations as shown in the night sky. The next day the player is to reflect on how they felt the previous evening, draw out their own constellation using the plotted stars, and keep it for a reminder of that particular feeling whilst engaging in this activity.

Itsy Bitsy Spider is a solo game where the player takes on the role of the heroic Itsy Bitsy attempting to climb the water spout. The player rolls 1d6, and if the result is greater than or equal to the spider’s current size (level on the spout), then they can continue upward. Should the result be less than the current size, the spider drops two levels. I have never been so frustrate by one simple card in my entire life.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Hi [NAME], I’m Dad! card. Whenever the player meets a new person in real life, they are are to repeat, “Hi [NAME], I’m Dad!” and then roll 1d6 to determine how they are to engage with the new friend. It is ridiculous and I love it!

So as one can see, inside this unsuspecting white box is no mere deck of cards, No, inside it are nearly infinite hours of experiences with others, and I haven’t even had the time to play through all of them yet. If you are someone who relishes unique and new experiences, or who would like to introduce others into the gaming world, then Tiny Library is certainly the tool for you. Some cards require the rolls of dice, some require many players, and some still are appropriate for conversation around a campfire. The uses are nearly endless, as are the possible amazing times to be prompted by these little nuggets of gold.

I really do hope a lot of people get in on this Kickstarter to help make this one a reality. What may have started off as a design competition or celebration has really gotten me interested in this whole idea of super-aerodynamic rulesets for maximum experience potential. I truly cannot wait to proclaim that I have played each of these, and maybe I will even chronicle my adventures through the Tiny Library for all to enjoy, but that sounds very ambitious. Maybe I can… Maybe I will simply challenge you all to chronicle your favorite 10 and we can all just compare notes.