Invisible Sun (role-playing game)
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{short description|Surreal fantasy tabletop role-playing game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox RPG
|title=Invisible Sun
|subtitle=
|publisher=Monte Cook Games
|date={{Start date and age|2018}}
|image=File:Logo_of_Invisible_Sun.jpg
|caption=
|system=
|genre=Surrealistic fantasy
|designer=Monte Cook
|web=[http://invisiblesunrpg.com/]
}}
{{Other uses|Invisible Sun (disambiguation)}}
Invisible Sun is a surrealistic modern fantasy tabletop role-playing game written by Monte Cook, published in 2018.
Game
=Setting=
The characters the players take on in the game are various types of magic-users, collectively called Vislae. The setting is called the Actuality,{{Cite web |last=Wieland |first=Rob |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Looking for an Escape? Bask in the Glow Of RPG 'Invisible Sun' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2020/07/06/luxuriate-in-the-invisible-sun-this-summer/?sh=417cb1ee2397 |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=Forbes}} consisting of a series of differing worlds arranged in a pattern called The Path of Suns.{{Cite web |last=Finewalker |first=Luke |date=May 7, 2019 |title=Neue Produkte für Invisible Sun |trans-title=New products for Invisible Sun |url=https://pnpnews.de/neue-produkte-fuer-invisible-sun/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=PnPNews.de |language=German}} Our world is seen as a pale and illusory reflection of these worlds. The center and starting point of the setting is Satyrine, a large city devastated by war. "The setting is surreal, bringing to mind post World War I decadent Berlin, Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics and the films of Guillermo del Toro", leaving our world behind. Characters slipping back into "Shadow", the game's name for our world, is used as an in-universe explanation for player absences. Another major theme is secrets which the characters can pursue. The game material itself also contains mysteries for the players to figure out.
=Game mechanics=
The game mechanics of Invisible Sun are based on the Cypher System, introduced with the Numenera game, with some modifications to simplify involved math and allow for more complex characters and powerful and unpredictable magic. Players have a significant influence on the stories, as character goals play a big role within the rules. Another game mechanic provides different experience points for successes and failures of the characters, which makes setbacks a required part of the story to properly advance a character.
=Game materials=
The game comes in the form of an unusual, elaborate box, comprising a great number of components, called the Black Cube. It contains four books, ca. 1000 cards, the Tarot-like Sooth Deck, character sheets, handouts, tokens, dice, posters, and an artbook.{{Cite conference |last=Guzdial |first=Matthew |last2=Acharya |first2=Devi |last3=Kreminski |first3=Max |last4=Cook |first4=Michael |last5=Eladhari |first5=Mirjam |last6=Liapis |first6=Antonio |last7=Sullivan |first7=Anne |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Tabletop Roleplaying Games as Procedural Content Generators |conference=International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games |location=Bugibba, Malta |publisher=Association for Computing Machinery |doi=10.1145/3402942.3409605|doi-access=free |arxiv=2007.06108 }} The "game developers also created an Invisible Sun mobile application (really just a website) to accommodate side scenes for individual or groups of characters that are away from the table and even possibly without the GM." This app provides a digital version of physical components of the Sooth deck and associated references from The Gate, but no additional content.
Reception
Reviewer Luke Finewalker commented that the Black Cube was elaborately produced and quite expensive, which together with the advertising of limited availability expressed a certain exclusivity.
Forbes contributor Rob Wieland judged: "Invisible Sun is a dense game that rewards in-depth meditation on character", published in form of "the strangest boxed set ever created for any medium. It is also immensely fascinating." He found the price high but pointed to the cheaper digital form that was published in 2020.
Tabletop Gaming reviewer Richard Jansen-Parkes called Invisible Sun "a truly, genuinely, maddeningly unique RPG" and "a game that straddles the line between indulgence and inspiration". Aside from the "rather impressive price tag", Jansen-Parkes wondered how much of the enjoyment he experienced playing the game "comes from the actual quality, and how much it owes more to the grand presentation and price". In his opinion Invisible Sun is not suited for fans of simplicity in games, but "a truly incredible display of creativity" and fascinating to read.{{Cite web |last=Jansen-Parkes |first=Richard |date=April 2019 |title=Invisible Sun RPG review |url=https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/reviews/invisible-sun-rpg-review/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=Tabletop Gaming |publisher=Warners Group Publications Plc}}
Invisible Sun was nominated for ENNIE Awards in 2019 for "Best Art," "Best Production Values," "Best Setting," and "Product of the Year."{{Cite web |title=2019 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards |url=https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2019-nominees-and-winners/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |language=en-US}}
Products
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| Title | Authors | Date | Pages | Formats | ISBN
{{Book list | title = Invisible Sun Black Cube | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2018 | aux1 = 600+ | aux2 = Boxed set, PDF | isbn = | short_summary = The core of the game, containing four rulebooks (The Key, The Way, The Gate, and The Path) and many other components, some of which are available separately }} {{Book list | title = The Key | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2018 | aux1 = 208 | aux2 = Hardcover, PDF | isbn = | short_summary = The "player's handbook" for the game, with rules for creating and advancing characters; also contained in the Black Cube }} {{Book list | title = Invisible Sun App | author = - | publish_date = 2018 | aux1 = - | aux2 = Webapp | isbn = | short_summary = Mobile application to allow playing side scenes and keep the game going away from the table }} {{Book list | title = The Directed Campaign | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2018 | aux1 = - | aux2 = Webpage, downloadable content, physical packages | isbn = | short_summary = Adventure and background content distributed over a year, dependent on player choices, and including packages of props sent to participants.{{cite web |url=https://www.montecookgames.com/invisible-sun-the-directed-campaign/ |title=Invisible Sun: The Directed Campaign |last=Ryan |first=Charles |date=August 17, 2017 |website=Monte Cook Games |access-date=April 23, 2022 |quote=What if, once you started your campaign, you had the designer himself sending you notes, ideas, props, handouts, artwork, and so on every month? That’s exactly what the Directed Campaign is.}} The Directed Campaign was only available for a limited time. }} {{Book list | title = Book M | author = Monte Cook & Shanna Germain | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 120 | aux2 = Slipcase with hardcover and cards, PDF | isbn = 978-1-939979-83-4 | short_summary = A compendium of magic with new rules, character options and secrets, as well as cards with spells and artifacts }} {{Book list | title = Secrets of Silent Streets | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 216 | aux2 = Hardcover, PDF | isbn = 978-1-939979-88-9 | short_summary = Setting book detailing the city of Satyrine, centerpoint location of the game }} {{Book list | title = Teratology | author = Bruce R. Cordell, Monte Cook & Shanna Germain | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 192 | aux2 = Hardcover, PDF | isbn = 978-1-939979-91-9 | short_summary = Collection of creatures, personalities and new locations }} {{Book list | title = Enchiridion of the Path | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 128 | aux2 = Binder of removable pages, PDF | isbn = 978-1950568048 | short_summary = A collection of handouts with setting information and adventure hooks on the Path of Suns, the game's eight worlds }} {{Book list | title = The Nightside | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 192 | aux2 = Box with hardcover, cards, die, bag, PDF | isbn = 978-1-939979-96-4 | short_summary = A collection of character options, magical practices and secrets themed for the dark side of the game setting }} {{Book list | title = The Threshold | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2019 | aux1 = 128 | aux2 = Hardcover, PDF | isbn = 978-1-939979-98-8 | short_summary = Character options, secrets and magic as well as the Labyrinth, a special setting location, all geared towards powerful characters; rules combined with narration in a unique way }} {{Book list | title = The Van Hauten Collection: Magical Praxis | author = Monte Cook | publish_date = 2020 | aux1 = 88 | aux2 = PDF | isbn = | short_summary = A glimmer collecting the various magical procedures beyond spells published in preceding products }} |
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