Every game designer has their own formula for creating games.
And as a designer myself, I naturally take interest in the ones that stand out.
Having played a handful of PnP games over the past 3 years, I've been fortunate enough to be in touch with a bunch of incredibly gifted game designers, each with their own distinct approach to crafting what I'd call masterpieces. And it looks like I've just stumbled upon one more. Thanks to its creator, Radek.
Radek Ignatów's games have always surprised me with their depth. They almost always dwell between lines.
The line between board games and PnPs, since they are so expansive. Not particularly in size, but rather in the realm his games occupy. His Chronicles of Civilization is the perfect example of that.
And then comes the line between a game and reality. Like how he created an operating theater simulator through Call the Doctor, or the feeling of ruling a kingdom in King.
So whenever I get a “You up for a game?” bump from Radek, I know it's going to be something big. Something I have to brace myself for.
And thus came Bravery!
A scenario-based game where you try to survive the wilderness one day at a time. And much like his signature, it feels like he's been dwelling between the lines yet again!
Having already interviewed and gotten to know the story behind five PnP games, here's the sixth Behind the Scenes episode, featuring Bravery by Radek:
"The story of Bravery began back in 2022, with a simple idea: to create a very small survival card game.
I had just watched The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio and thought: this would be a brilliant foundation for a game.
The first prototype was very simple, but it already included the core elements that are still present today: a character card, a bear card, terrain cards, and action cards. The first mechanic that appeared - and has remained in the game ever since - was the connection between three types of locations and three action tracks. This single idea created a huge amount of replayability, even though the game used only a handful of cards.”
Earlier designs of Bravery’s Map and Equipment Cards.
“The plan was clear: make the smallest possible game with the greatest possible replay value.
Long before the game had any proper artwork, I was already taking it to board game conventions and testing it with players. And it worked very well.
Not long after that - once the game had become a little more visually appealing thanks to stock artwork, though still without a dedicated artist - I announced that I was working on it on social media. Soon after, I received an offer from a major polish board game publisher to release the game.
That was the moment when the project began to go through a massive transformation and grow far beyond its original form.
For some time, I worked on Bravery under the guidance of the publisher. This brought the game closer in many ways to titles like The 7th Continent and Robinson Crusoe, while also helping it develop, improve, and become much more refined. Crafting appeared. Scenarios appeared. Mini-games appeared. What had started as a tiny survival card game turned into a truly solid adventure title.”
An earlier box design for Bravery
“Then came a less fortunate period for the project. The game was put on hold by the publisher and had to wait for a green light, while they focused on several much larger projects. And in that state, Bravery remained for several years.
Finally, at the beginning of 2026, I decided it was time to reclaim the project. I reached an agreement with the publisher and chose to release the game myself as a Print & Play title.
At that point, I commissioned new artwork and adapted the game once again to better suit the PnP format.
And now, the time has come for its release.
I have to admit: this is probably my favorite project I have ever worked on. I am very happy with how it looks and plays in its final form. It is a game I genuinely love playing myself, and I am truly proud of it."
As a fan of Radek's games, knowing the journey Bravery has taken over these years, and knowing that this is his favorite project, pulls me to the game all the more.
I've always loved something Chris Backe, another gifted game designer and a friend, once told me:
Make games you want to play.
And watching Radek not give up on a project he loves is motivating enough for me to get going with the projects I haven’t dared to touch for years.
You only have a week to back Bravery on Kickstarter.
- Tas.
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