Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall is a tabletop role-playing game about Chinese immigrants to North America managing a family restaurant while battling Jiangshi, legendary hopping vampires.[1] The game was designed by Banana Chan and Sen-Foong Lim, who are both Chinese immigrants. It was published independently in 2021 after a Kickstarter campaign raised over US$100,000.[2] The instructions focus heavily on authentic portrayals of Chinese history and immigrant experiences. The default scenario takes place in San Francisco's Chinatown during the 1920s,[3] but the game box comes with a book of scenarios by a variety of writers offering more adventures in different cities and historical periods.[1] The game's tone can range from serious to comedy horror. Themes include fighting racism, exploring intergenerational knowledge and relationships, coping with economic hardship, and working together as a family.[4]
| Designers | Banana Chan and Sen-Foong Lim |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Game and a Curry, Wet Ink Games |
| Publication | 2021 |
| Genres | tabletop role-playing game, Jiangshi fiction, horror |
| Chance | High |
| Skills | role-playing |
Gameplay edit
During daylight phases, players manage the Chinese restaurant, then during nighttime phases, the Jiangshi appear. Successfully running the restaurant gives players bonuses to fight the Jiangshi, while unfinished chores generate mechanical consequences.[1][5]
The game mechanics mix elements typical of both tabletop role-playing games and board games.[5]
Reception edit
In 2022, Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall won the Silver ENNIE Award for "Best Setting" and was also nominated for "Best Production Value" and "Product of the Year."[6] The game was nominated for the 2022 Indie Game Developer Network award for "Most Innovative."[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c Wieland, Rob. "Save The World And Your Family Restaurant With This New RPG". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Track Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall's Kickstarter campaign on BackerTracker". BackerKit. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ Biswas, Sharang (2021-02-17). "Indie RPGs show roleplaying can - and should - be far more than Dungeons & Dragons". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "This Board Game Uses Vampires To Fight Anti-Asian Racism". HuffPost. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ a b Writer, Alex Meehan Senior Staff (2020-07-16). "Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall is an RPG about cooking and vampires". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "2022 Results – ENNIE Awards". Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Indie Groundbreakers Awards". Indie Game Developer Network. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
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