Inscrutable Cities
A fabulist journaling game about conjuring a new world into being by traveling through it. Inspired by Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino, 1972
- Tiny Table Index uses affiliate links to index entries where available. When you make any purchases through links on this website, Tiny Table Index may earn a small affiliate commission, with no extra cost to you.
-
I get it, there are absolutely titles and creators in this industry that are problematic as heck, but a title's presence on the Tiny Table Index is not an endorsement of the title or anyone involved in its creation or production.
Tiny Table Index takes no responsibility for the content of the products present on this website, their suitability for any audiences, or anything related to their authors and production teams.
If you believe an index entry should be removed, please use the Feedback button on the bottom of the page to report it to the administrator for review as a Data Issue.
Mechanics
Identify the specific game systems, rules, or play styles that define how the game operates.
Content
Describe the thematic elements, narrative focus, or subject matter present in the entry.
Accessibility
Highlight features or considerations that make the game more inclusive and playable for people with various needs or preferences.
No accessibility tags for this entry.
Other Tags
Encompass miscellaneous attributes, features, or characteristics that don't fit neatly into the previous categories but are still relevant for categorization.
No other tags for this entry.
Details
All of the other details for this entry.
Description
-
Inscrutable Cities is a fabulist journaling game about conjuring a new world into being by traveling through it.
It requires no cards, dice, or tokens, and falls somewhere between "lyric table-top role play," "interactive fanfiction," and "guided meditation from an alternate universe." It is designed to be suitable for both solo play and with a group, in person or remote. The shortest possible complete play-through takes about half an hour.
A Note on the Source Material
This game is inspired by, and in response to, the works of Italo Calvino, primarily but not exclusively Invisible Cities. Without getting too into the weeds here, my conceptual goal is to allow players to re-experience the awe and mystery of the worlds Calvino so meticulously built in language, without his unrelenting fixation on women's bodies, among other things that sour a lot of his fiction for me.
Release Date
The original date that this game was published.
- None
Languages
A listing of all languages that this game is available in.
- English
Age Rating
The Tiny Table Index uses the standard ESRB ratings to indicate a game's appropriateness for various age groups.
- Teen (13+)
Formats
The types of form factor the game is available in.
Campaign Types
Different games offer playstyles that might last one or more sessions.
- Campaign
- Play by Post
- Single Session
Similar Games
Other games similar to this one you might like.
-
Game
The Van Witch
sunflower_wizardA journaling solo-rpg about witches, magic, slice-of-life situations, and misadventures.
Solo Duet Three or More Free
-
Game
Little Celestial Fieldwork Guide
PsychHounda fantasy city exploration photography & journaling game for 1+ players
Solo Duet Three or More Paid
-
Game
Coven Dinner Party
sunflower_wizardYou are a witch in a coven, tasked with organizing this season's weekly dinner parties for the local community.
Duet Solo Three or More Free
-
Game
Substratum Protocol
Pandion GamesWhen the anomaly appeared at the Earth's core, the Substratum Protocol was initiated. You are the best and brightest scientists we have left, our last hope to stem the apocalypse.
Duet Solo Three or More Paid
-
Game
Apawthecaria: A Poultice Pounder Adventure
Blackwell GamesTravel the post-human landscape of the Bristley Woods, visiting ailing beasts and foraging for the reagents needed to cure them, all while working towards the end of a grand Seasonal Journey.
Duet Solo Three or More Paid
-
Game
FORGE
Zap Forge / Oliver FradgleyOld School RPG with GM & Solo Tools
Solo Duet Three or More Pay What You Want
-
Game
Stoneburner
Fari RPGsStoneburner is a sci-fantasy solo-friendly demon-hunting community-building tabletop role-playing game.
Duet Solo Three or More Paid
-
Game
The Cold Dark
YuigaronA solo journalling game of survival.
Solo Paid
-
Game
Welcome To Radiant Sands
InnocentGoblinGo a journey to find one of the last remaining beaches so you can take in the sun, go for a dip and maybe even play some Volleyball. Make new friends, explore new mutations, and bury your toes in the sand.
Solo Pay What You Want
-
Game
Journey
Graycastle PressThe bestselling solo journaling & tabletop roleplaying game that helps you mine your world’s hidden gems, uncovering details & stories that breathe life into your fiction
Solo Paid
-
Game
Cocaine Bear Grandma
Almost Bedtime TheaterA game about being a retired CIA-trained bear femme fatale
Solo Paid
-
Game
Vision Quest: The Oracles
Imaginif MediaA repeatable sacred journaling adventure
Solo Paid
-
Game
Mythic Game Master Emulator Second Edition
Word Mill GamesPlay any role-playing game solo or without a Game Master!
Duet Solo Three or More Paid
-
Game
Sentinel
Meghan(IynnFTW) CrossA solo journaling game about a place of great power and its lone guardian.
Solo Duet Three or More Free
-
Game
Let It Roll
Cyrus RiteA quick setup, ultra lite rules, roleplaying game.
Solo Duet Three or More Free
Related Supplements
Supplements of various kinds related to this game.
- Supplements are coming soon to the Tiny Table Index
Related Tools
Tools and other external resources related to this game.
- Tools are coming soon to the Tiny Table Index