Pencil Book Quest looks to hit the target with a solo, portable, tactile adventure.

Tabletop gaming, for me, is one of those things I like to do with friends and family. It's always fun to roll some dice in an RPG with people who will appreciate the epic dice roll and thwarting your gaming rivals plan by reserving a space on the board first and watching him meltdown is always entertaining. However, sometimes there isn’t someone to sit down at a table with and you have to get your fix somewhere. Pencil Book Quest aims to fill that gap with an on the go adventure that takes only 5-10 minutes to make your way through an adventure.

Pencil Book Quest is an upcoming solo dungeon crawling game coming to crowdfunding from Grumpy Spider Games and designer David David. The game features 80 quick adventures featured in a small spiral bound book, needing only a special pencil to complete. Each adventure spans two pages featuring a dungeon map, specific rules and monsters, any special power ups available, and end game bonuses. The stats of your character are kept on a special card which also happens to serve as a bookmark. At various times in the game, you may be requested to roll a 6 sided die (d6), but the pencil that comes with the game can help. Each side of the pencil has a number of dots, so when asked, all you need to do is roll the pencil across the table for your d6.

The goal of each session is to explore the dungeon and collect stars, which are awarded after leaving the current area of play. You will earn stars by defeating enemies, not taking damage, and being efficient with your movement. Getting killed in an area will cross out potential stars and lose any loot you’ve collected. At the end of the campaign, you will be rated by the amount of stars you’ve collected in each category.

Each session, you begin at a starting location and move in any orthogonal direction exactly four spaces. You will always move in a straight line unless they encounter a barrier or an enemy. Littered around the dungeon area are powerups such as coins, different hearts that can heal and grow your hit points, items, weapons, keys to unlock chests of goodies, and weapons. You can hold one weapon at a time which will aid you in combat. Enemies will stop movement and if you stop in any of the 8 squares surrounding it, you will engage in combat. Dun dun dun!

The game uses a special “Point and Write” combat system. The basic form of attacking includes a starting point located next to each individual enemy's name and image. Below the enemy is a special target that you must aim for. Placing the point of your pencil on the starting point, you will pick up the pencil, with your eyes closed, and aim to hit the target by placing it in the rings. The different colors and rings of the target will deal variable damage to your character and even trigger special attacks that can affect the player into later turns. No matter where the pencil lands on the target, the enemy is always defeated, but it doesn’t mean they can’t leave their mark.

As you move through the campaign you will have opportunities to face different enemies, bosses, and other challenges. You will also encounter different towns that provide opportunities to purchase power-ups, play mini games, and people offering quests. These quests will determine the next area and set of adventures you encounter.

Pencil Book Quest is a fantastic and lightweight way to get a game in on the go. Whether you need a quick break from work or something to do while riding shotgun on a road trip, this game has a lot to offer. Each map you encounter is a balance between fighting monsters and collecting loot and trying to get it all done or cutting your losses and getting out of the area. The mini games you experience in the town are entertaining and the branching paths let you tell your own story. My only qualms with the game is keeping track of my pencil and finding a sharpener after dulling it down with all my intense scribblings.

I had a great time with Pencil Book Quest and appreciate the easy to play and mobile nature of the campaign. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished production copy and future outings from Grumpy Spider Games.

Check out the kickstarter campaign for Pencil Book Quest running through October 7th, 2025. For a gameplay sample and more information about Grumpy Spider Games, check out their website.