If you recall from my last post, one of the items in my EDC RPG kit is a credit-card sized game called “Korg”. This is a quick, easy, dungeon crawling game in a portable format that allows you to play a quick RPG on the go. Originally Kickstarted by Caleb Engelke (also known as Dungeon Havoc) back in December of 2022, the campaign raised over $17,000 dollars (!) for the first iteration of Korg.
The primary goal of the game is to collect a set amount of “GP” (gold pieces), by defeating monsters in a dungeon. Once you reach that goal, you get to retire! The gameplay loop is also simple, making it easy to pickup and play wherever you are. You just roll a d6 (6-sided die), the number corresponds to what you encounter in the dungeon, then roll over that foes target number. If you win you get GP, if you lose you take damage. Lose all your health, and you have to start over. There are additional cards with a Shop, which lets you buy your choice of several items to help heal you, reduce damage you take, and more.
The simplicity of the game also lends to its ability to be expanded on. If you wanted to create an in depth character with a complete backstory, and place the dungeon in a world you start building, you can do that! Maybe you want to add a few new rules, while keeping the same core loop, that’s also possible!
Korg did well enough that Caleb eventually created a new crowdfunding campaign to fund Korg Slayer, new expansion cards to add additional locations and foes to fight, in the world of Korg. These include the Putrid Bog, Dragon’s Lair, and Tyrant’s Keep – and of course, new shop items to help you along the way as well.
Since then, there have been other additions to the Korg lineup as well, with CY//Korg, Scars of Silvos, and Classic Korg v.1 (a remastering of this original Korg, with some new locations and quests). I still enjoy my copy of the original Korg and Slayer expansions, because none of the new ones have been printed in a durable format like these ones (though that didn’t stop me from backing all the other campaigns…).
My main draw to this game, when I first saw it, was the format. A durable, portable game that could be played whenever I had downtime, and would last longer than something I print out myself. I pair it with a small dice spinner (effectively a ball bearing with a bunch of number rings to indicate different die types – d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20), which is usually with me all the time anyway, and it makes it pretty easy to pull out and play a few quick rounds.
This is also a game that I can take out and play with my kids. It’s actually a great introduction to RPG’s, but it’s also a great reinforcement for my sons math classes, where he’s learning addition and subtraction. He also has to learn about making choices – when to spend that hard earned GP on a potion to heal (or risk death on the next dungeon roll), or even some upgrades like armor, to absorb some of the damage he might take. We can also come up with stories about the encounters we roll, change the monsters (a Skeleton might become a Goblin or a Wolf), and try to figure out why we’re trying to collect all that gold in the first place!
So if you need a simple game to take with you on the go, or want to find something that you can teach to younger children, take a look at the Korg games for your next Pen & Paper Quest!
P.S.: I am unaffiliated with any of the platforms or folks mentioned in this post, I’m just sharing them so that others can find out more about them.
While I don’t think you can get this copy of the original Korg any longer, Korg Classic v.1 is the same content (and more!), just printed as standard playing cards (definitely sleeve them!). You can find them on the Dungeon Havoc Ko-Fi page.