Check out these 3 Pinoy-made tabletop games: Manila 2076, TYLZ, and ESPIONAGE

Three new Pinoy-made tabletop games, “Manila 2076,” TYLZ,” and “ESPIONAGE,” have quite exciting premises: Cyberwar in Manila’s not-too-distant cyberpunk future. the power to unleash your inner hero, and an army of spies and assassins at your beck and call.

Read more about them below:

1. Manila 2076

A competitive tabletop card game for two to four players, “Manila 2076” takes you to a cyberpunk Manila, where players are hackers who’ve been hired by an enigmatic client to steal data from a corrupt megacorporation.

“Players must sneak, hack, and attack their way into corporate HQ to obtain valuable data cards,” said Game Designer Fred Tay. “However, some of the data cards are being tracked by the enemy.”

Players will have to deal with the megacorporation’s enforcers, the risk of data corruption, and each other, among many other things.

Those who want a tougher challenge can play the game's advanced mode, which Tay describes as "more chaotic and brutal, but it captures the cyberpunk feel of the game even more!” 

A science fiction and cyberpunk fan, Tay created “Manila 2076” to explore stories and themes about a possible future Manila.

“The cyberpunk genre is typically set in Neo Tokyo or Neo Hong Kong. But having lived in Tondo my entire life, I think Manila is an even better setting for it,” said Tay.

“For example, what would Divisoria look like in the year 2076? I can imagine walking down those cramped sidewalks, going to an unassuming little stall, speaking a secret password, and the vendor surreptitiously showing you contraband cybernetic implants.”

Tay loves “Manila 2076’s” artwork.

“Working with talented artists and seeing how they interpret Manila in the year 2076 is so awesome,” he said.

He is also happy with the flexibility of “Manila 2076’s” game loop.

“I have the ability to easily add different modes to the base game,” he said. “[P]layers can enjoy different kinds of game experiences as I release more ways to play the game. For example, I will be releasing rules for a co-op mode, team mode, raid mode, etc! There is even an RPG mode in the works!”

“Manila 2076” will be released soon. In the meantime, Tay is exploring the game's world further through a web comic called “Zero Point,” which you can read on the game’s Facebook page.

Team Manila 2076 is Fred Tay (Game Designer), Borg Sinaban (Game Artist), Miro Mendoza (Logo/ Icons/Layout Designer), Niel Marcelino and @thefearmaster (“Manila 2076” Poster Artists), with Kit Stark (“Zero Point” Artist).

2. TYLZ: Spontaneous Live Action RPG

A game in development by Project Tadhana, “TYLZ: Spontaneous Live Action RPG” lets you transform into your heroic alter ego, then pits you against other players and monsters in battles for supremacy.

What’s special about “TYLZ” is that it has two modes of play. There is the two to six-player physical board game boasting area control and fighting game mechanics.

It lets you select a character class, use cards to perform special abilities, and move around the board for strategic positioning purposes.

“[P]layers take turns to try earning victory points by hunting down monsters, eliminating other players’ characters, or controlling/defending point-generating areas on the board,” said Project Tadhana chief and “TYLZ” Lead Game Designer Nathan Briones.

And then there is the “spontaneous live action role-playing” or sLARP mode, which takes you to real-world locations. A “TYLZ” companion app then uses a geo map interface (like Niantic’s in “Pokemon Go”) to convert parks, malls, and other locations into tile-based battlegrounds.

Joining a sLARP session entails using the app to enter a tiled area, then scanning a physical class card to “transform” yourself into a hero.

Players then take turns “scanning specific ability cards on the app to execute moves on each other while using the tiled ground as a guide for distance and/or positioning in the game,” said Briones.

Both modes use the same cards.

“TYLZ” was inspired by Project Tadhana’s love of “Pokemon Go,” and Briones’ realization of how awesome it would be to LARP Sailor Moon, Kamen Rider, and other Japanese transforming heroes.

As such, “TYLZ” is a means by which players can unleash their inner child.

“I just wanted to make something super silly, nostalgic, friendly, and fun,” said Briones. “It’s also an attempt to make the process of adults making friends as easy as it was when we were still kids.”

“TYLZ” has a fascinating effect on older players:

“Adults who played the sLARP version were shouting abilities and moves at each other like how kids do it when playing pretend, and they genuinely seemed to not care about being seen. They actually just had unadulterated fun!”

The “TYLZ” team includes Nathan Briones (Lead Game Designer), Ledelou Apale (Artist), and Dahlia Sahaquiel Thorns (Balance). Volunteers are helping develop the app.

3. ESPIONAGE

Developed by HEXA-G, “ESPIONAGE” is a spy-themed tabletop card game about deception and global manipulation. 

“If you like ‘John Wick,’ ‘Mission Impossible,’ or other spy movies, this is the game for you,” the game's creator Anthony "Tony" Peña said.

“ESPIONAGE” has players controlling “secret organizations aiming for global manipulation,” Tony continued.

“You work in the shadows, eliminating threats and protecting your interests. You send out spies, assassins, detectives, and even reporters to further your goals. Other players will also send their agents to thwart your missions.”

You can use decoys, bodyguards, the police, mercenaries, and even ninjas to protect yourself.

As you complete missions and destroy your enemies’ secret packages, you also have to avoid bombs, which can spell instant defeat.

He added: “I created ‘ESPIONAGE’ because I like combining action with mind games. It can be played anytime and anywhere.”

“ESPIONAGE” is the first game to be developed by HEXA-G—a group of friends who’ve been tabletop and role-playing game enthusiasts for years.

“HEXA-G is based on the initials of the members of our gaming group,” said Tony. “When gaming was still considered ‘geeky’ and ‘nerdy,’ I created HEXA-G to further develop our hobby into something serious and professional.”

HEXA-G started development on “ESPIONAGE” back in 2017. Tony co-designed the game with Gerardo “Gerry” Gervacio, who helped in the logistical and technical aspects of the game.

The game went on a two-year hiatus after HEXA-G’s completion of its development. The team revived it when they discovered UnPub PH, a Facebook group frequented by tabletop game developers and designers, who use the platform to support each other in their game development endeavors.

“ESPIONAGE” has received positive feedback from players at gaming conventions. It even sold well at the recent Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) 2019.

Local buyers can now purchase the game online through Shopee. US and international buyers can buy it from The Game Crafter.

“Manila 2076,” “TYLZ: Spontaneous Live Action RPG,” and “ESPIONAGE” were part of ESGS 2019’s Indie Fiesta, a local games exhibit directed by International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Philippines board member Gwen Foster. — LA, GMA News