Retrieval - A Solo Journaling Game

You are surrounded by boxes. Maybe it’s a move, or you're helping a relative do so. Maybe you packed up part of your life quickly… or maybe these boxes were haphazardly added to in bouts of retail therapy. One thing is for sure - these boxes are your problem now, and in them, one thing you seek.

Retrieval is a solo journaling game about seeking an item, and the associated memories from the past. In this game, you’ll play as yourself or a character of your imagination, and delve into boxes trying to find that toy, book, keepsake - whatever you’re looking for. The prompts in this game will ask you to think and create, to journal more about the life of your character and the other artifacts found in these boxes. The game ends once you have found your item, run out of time, or give up. 

This game is also an exploration of nostalgia and memory. Take care when playing.

What do you need? 

DICE: You’ll need three, one with twenty sides (d20) and two with six sides (d6). 

JOURNAL: You’ll also need a way to record your answers to the prompts. This could be with writing utensils and paper, a voice recording, a phone notes section - whatever you prefer! 

I wrote Retrieval after the experience of finally unpacking a box after three separate moves. A whole different me had packed it - and a lot of life has occurred between initially taping it shut and finally cutting it open. Retrieval is as much about nostalgia as it is about reflection. Whether you’re reading, playing, or observing, I hope you find what you’re looking for in your boxes, friend. 

Retrieval was made by SHAWK GAMES using the Second Guess System SRD. This game was made with human hands and human created assets. Second Guess System by William Lentz is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/