Musings on “Alice is Missing” RPG

TL;DR: Alice is Missing is a new take on an old format incorporating light prompts and messages over face to face communication to heighten roleplay

“Alice is Missing” really puts the Roleplaying in Roleplaying Game. I’m a huge fan of games of all sorts, doubly so when it comes to games that allow for creative expression and the forging of a new story. Which is why “Alice is Missing” is one of my favorite RPGs currently.

At its core, the game is just a few light suggestions attached to names and a time box. In the physical edition, you receive some cards for locations, people, motivation, and vague events, along with a game guide for the game “master”. There is no story enclosed, instead its written on the fly by you and your fellow players.

This may seem intimidating, especially to folks new to RPGs, but the game has another trick up its sleeve. The game takes place entirely in messaging apps rather than verbally at a table. This little nuance changes the pace of conversation, multiple people can respond at once, and in multiple threads. You also have the increased immersion as you don’t have a familiar voice and face to remind you its just a game.

This combined with its heavily unstructured story prompts (something like “this person showed up to Alice’s house upset, why?”) make it so that the game is unpredictable, a story that no one controlled, but collectively was written. You could even call it the Ouija board of RPGs.

All in all, “Alice is Missing” is a lovely twist on classic RPG mechanics, coupled with real and heavy themes of growing up. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for ways to increase roleplay among hesitant groups, or to anyone who’s grown tired of fantasy trope games.