The Old Bell Tower
(Image Description: The image above is a solo mystery game cover featuring a gothic black and white image. It shows an eerie church or chapel silhouetted against a dramatic full moon. The bell tower rises prominently against the night sky, with bare tree branches framing the scene. The moon is partially obscured by wispy clouds, creating an atmospheric, haunting effect. The title is displayed in bold, stark white letters that evoke a horror genre style.)
The Old Bell Tower is a compact, single-session roleplaying game designed for solo play. You take on the role of an investigator exploring an abandoned church where a mysterious bell has been tolling at midnight, followed by increasingly disturbing events in town. Armed with only a few simple items and your wits, you’ll navigate through eight atmospheric locations, from the overgrown churchyard to the ominous bell tower itself.
The game uses straightforward mechanics centered around a single six-sided die, three core attributes (Grit, Wits, and Wisdom), and a ‘hunted’ system that creates mounting tension as you explore. Each location can be searched for useful items and clues, but these searches often carry their own risks. Multiple paths to victory and different possible endings ensure replayability, while the atmospheric prose brings the haunting setting to life. The entire adventure can be completed in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a single evening’s entertainment.
The Old Bell Tower creates a complete horror-mystery experience in a small, self-contained package. All you need to play is the book, one six-sided die, and something to write with.
Note: If you download this PDF, it’s highly recommended that you print and assemble it as a 5.5x8.5in booklet to ensure that the story is revealed without spoilers while you porgress through the aventure.