It's so rare to find a game that actually has a downright unique concept executed on in such a way that makes you just love the thing, it really should be cherished, championed and held dear. Hand of Fate's core premise is the stuff of the most nerdy dreams, and even explaining it is a task in itself, but when everything falls into place and you're off on another RPG-quest not knowing what awaits and having to deal with random equipment, power-ups and enemies, it's replayability is quadrupled through that element alone. See, you're sat at a table, playing a card game against an unknown, taunting old man. You create two decks of both weapon and 'quest' cards, that the man will then supplement with his own additions. The genius - and the thing that elevates this above even the Magic: The Gathering games - is every battle is animated Batman: Arkham style, with the view switching to a real battlefield and bringing both your character and items to life in real time. Now you might be sat there going "So it's a card game?" and yes, on paper it is, but it's also so, so much more than that. Quests are tackled one square at a time, with dialogue options playing out like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. At certain points you'll be playing for tokens too, which if you win unlocks more cards you add to your deck next time round, creating a Roguelike aspect that fans of Binding of Isaac or Rogue Legacy will adore. Thanks to a tiny budget it's a little rough around the edges when it comes to some light-feeling combat animation and the occasional frame rate hitch, but for the concept alone of a tabletop battler meeting a worthwhile 3D combat system with enough depth, replayability and overall charm to hang in the big leagues, this is something everyone should check out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf-PcQ1-Gmw#t=61 Which games have you enjoyed the most across the past two months? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to sign up to the new Facebook Gaming page!
