Nightbound

Nightbound is set in a world devastated by the Bloom, which hunts the few remaining survivors after dark. Loren has defended her family’s home since the Bloom arrived, and she is wary of Jun, who has suddenly appeared. The two must work together if they are to reach the mountain in the North.

At night, players fight as a pair in turn-based tactics, holding out until dawn. Interception fire lets characters shoot outside their own turn: an enemy that walks into a character’s line of sight is fired upon as it moves. Aiming is done by hand, and cover is part of the tactical play. Bonds are moves that require both characters. Ending a turn beside a wounded partner lets the pair heal each other, and when one character takes a shot, the partner fires at the same target immediately afterwards.

Daytime is spent with the other character, and a closer relationship unlocks more options at night. Activities include searching the house, playing wall ball, and bringing bugs back for the beetles. Players also clear spores left behind by the night and board up windows, since any opening left unsecured can be used by the Bloom after dark. As the story moves towards leaving the house, players repair a van and pack it. Only what is loaded into the van is available during night battles, and limited space means choices about what to bring must be weighed.