Triangle Agency

^{review by K}

A Polygon article describes Triangle Agency as “meta corporate satire,” and that description is honestly spot-on. The rulebook itself is humorous, while the writing insists that it is serious, and you will be punished (in-game) for reading ahead or skipping sections. If you have an affinity for the number 3, this game might be for you.

You, the players, have just been hired to work at the top-secret Triangle Agency as agents, and your trusted GM (General Manager) will assist you during your field work. The Agency deals with reality-bending beings known as Anomalies. It is your duty as agents to eliminate Anomalies and ensure that those who are Mundane are unaffected. Anomalies are manifestations of real thoughts or actions that can occur, think of it like obsessive thoughts that become monstrous.

Each agent of The Agency has 3 basic parts to create their character, known as an ARC, made up of: Anomaly, Reality, and Competency. Your agent’s Anomaly is their own, controlled, power or ability beyond the mundanity of life. Your agent’s Reality is who they are outside of work, including their relationships to others. Your Agent’s Competency is their actual job at The Agency, which could be a barista or CEO. Agents are given either Commendations or Demerits based on their field work missions, and they can even be given for meta reasons. For example, if you as a player skipped a section in the rulebook and read ahead, the GM can give your agent a Demerit based on that.

The game entirely used 4-sided dice to determine results of rolls, and the number 3 is the indicator of success on your rolls as players. Triangle Agency is largely narrative-based, and there are very little fight mechanics. The game encourages players to find alternative solutions to conflict without invoking violence. The agents are expected to request solutions from The Agency, of which many alter reality itself. However, the agents must help each other form a causality chain of events of a rather improbable situation. Upon a successful roll, the chain of events occurs as described. If the roll fails, then the GM determines some way that the agents’ attempt at bending reality causes further issues for the agents.

Overall, Triangle Agency is an interesting table-top role-playing game. The theming and book design are captivating, and I look forward to bringing this game to the table soon.

Triangle Agency is available now from our webstore.