Thanks to the authors Adrien Dumonchau and Valentin Stakhanovitch Reverdy we were able to view MIR in preview. It is a dark fantasy roleplaying game in which the protagonists are part of an organization that aims to protect reality from the manifestations of suffering and trauma.

At the moment the product is available in French language only. For those interested in the expanded and new English version, I recommend keeping an eye on the official page of the game to find out when the fundraising campaign will be launched.

Not just a Manual

MIR is not just a roleplaying game and, as you can see from the images included in this preview, it also includes other interesting accessories.

First of all the manual is “hugged” by the narrator’s screen, decidedly solid and functional. Inside we obviously find the main rules to always have in front of us.

Then we find the foldable character sheets, perfect for immediately throwing yourself to adventure.

Then we also have personalized dice. These are d12s that, instead of the higher number, show the game logo.

Continuing there is also a CD with the official soundtrack to be used to create the atmosphere during the sessions. The genre chosen to accompany MIR is metal, and later in this preview we will understand the reasons. The artists involved include well-known names and emerging artists, such as Limbes, Heilung, Garae, Wyatt and E. Hordous.

Finally there is also a wonderful black t-shirt, with on the front a perfectly themed white illustration with the same style of the project.

Preview of MIR Aesthetics

All the accessories mentioned previously and the game manual certainly have a common point: an excellent aesthetic, treated in detail. In addition, the materials are all of high quality, making it pleasant even just taking them in hand and allowing them to resist effectively to intensive use.

The aesthetic style combines the power of metal, the mystery of the esoteric and the grace of romantic painting, giving life to a unique mix with a very strong impact. We therefore find writings that could be on the cover of a metal album, which introduce illustrations that could be on an art book, accompanied by mystical symbolism. It must also be emphasized that the authors are against the use of AI and guarantee that every single element is made through human creativity; this does not only concern illustrations, but everything in the project.

The game manual has a wonderful hard cover that protects the approximately 160 pages inside. Its text is paginated on two columns in a very orderly and legible way, thanks also to an always suitable font. The main color palette includes black, white, red and some golden details.

Preview of MIR Content

A synthetic initial index divides the manual into four main sections:

• Universe: describes the game setting and its internal dynamics.
• Game Rules: explain how to bring the previous section into play effectively.
• MIR Agents: presents the pre-made characters.
• Scenario – Cache-Cache: accompanies the protagonists of the previous section in a ready to play scenario.

It can be immediately noted that the greatest number of pages is reserved for the setting, which wants to be alive and never banal, so as to drop the protagonists in hypnotic atmospheres. Then follows the scenario, another sign that the fulcrum of the game is the narrative. The two most mechanic sections (rules and characters) occupy only about twenty pages each, underlining how these aspects do not want to steal the scene from the most immersive elements.

First of all, however, there is a very precious glossary that contains the main game terms, useful for fully understanding the game world and its dynamics.

What Are We Playing

But in essence, what does this roleplaying game propose?

The stories that MIR tells are not (according to the authors themselves) suitable for everyone. The game leads to face manifestations of trauma and suffering (called Echoes) in a deep and mature (but at the same time liberating) way. Therefore sensitive themes abound, but the manual warns us about them (thanks also to the collaboration with a psychiatrist) and is concerned that no one arrives unprepared and is negatively influenced by it.

The protagonists, the Echo Hunters, face Catalysts, people who attract Echos in this world. However, these are not simple battles, since players will have to face moral dilemmas and decide whether to eliminate Catalysts or try to investigate to seek resolving their inner conflicts. Every hunting and every trauma are unique, but trying to save those poor souls has a considerable cost. The adventures therefore become a succession of mysteries with conflict factions, betrayals, cults and much more. Will you be willing to corrupt yourself in order to fight against this dark and despotic world?

MIR‘s fulcrum are the stories and even from this preview it is clear that the key element is their depth.

Preview of MIR Mechanics

These themes are playable through very simple mechanics. The tests are resolved mainly by launching a pool of d12s and counting how many successes (values ​​of 7 or more) are obtained; if you reach those requested by the narrator, you can realize your intentions.

The dice pool is composed taking into consideration the Attributes of the characters who get involved. They comprehend the Ways and Proficiencies, that is macro and micro categories of skills that cover every game situation. I appreciated some narrative elements of the character sheet, since they also acquire an interesting mechanical value. For example, there are two elements that define the traits of the character and give them particular advantages and disadvantages in a specific way.

In combat, follow a classic order of initiative. The characters can perform a variable number of actions per round (based on their equipment), which can include movements, uses of skills and attacks. Although the focus of this TTRPG is the narrative, also this aspect seems to be treated with the right depth.

Moreover I also appreciated a subsystem of rules dedicated to intrigues, which have a central role and interact intelligently with factions. Another very interesting section of the ruleset is that dedicated to Catastrophes, or to the influence of the Echos on reality, which shape on the basis of the unhealthy passions they bring with them.

Conclusions of the Preview of MIR

Having been able to preview the MIR manual was a great pleasure and raised the expectations I had for this roleplaying game. The heaviness of the themes is gently managed, but without ever distorting it. The mechanics are not heavy, but they do justice to what you play.

If the idea of ​​solving deep and dangerous trauma in a dark fantasy world intrigues you, I recommend you keep an eye on the official website to be informed about the new English version of this tabletop RPG!

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