I visited Lore Obscure to dip my toes into the world of tabletop role-playing games, and might have just found a new hobby to venture into!
Lore Obscure isn’t any ordinary game cafe in Singapore. It’s one focusing on Dungeons & Dragons variants and tabletop games. With Renaissance fairs like Ren Faire Sg and Lion City Faire coming up, the wonderful world of fantasy is slowly but surely becoming a mainstay in the world of hobbies. I decided to pay Lore Obscure a visit to give its campaign a try, and ended up having way more fun than I thought I would.
Lore Obscure review: Details at a glance
Best for: Dungeons & Dragons players; Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) enthusiasts; first-timers who want to try their first campaign; existing TTRPG groups looking for a space for their next game
Price: 3-hour games start from $25 per person; private room bookings start from $90 for four hours
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 4pm to 9pm; Saturday to Sunday, 1pm to 9pm; closed on Monday
Address: Lore Obscure, #04-01, People’s Park Centre, 101 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058357
Meet the Lore Obscure team!
Lore Obscure was created by a quartet of friends – Isa Foong, Wan Nur Fadhillah, Shannae Desker, and Jacob Folkler. A creative director, tech project lead, graphic designer, and freelance actor, respectively, in their previous lives, the group now manages their tabletop game studio full-time together. When asked how Lore Obscure was created, I was told, “Wan leapt, and we jumped in after her.” Cue an eruption of laughter.
The four were already seasoned lore masters when the idea of Lore Obscure came about, each with their own unique origin story and method. Then, their paths converged, leading to the birth of Lore Obscure in 2024. Since its inception, the brand has already hosted over 1,000 games with players ranging from complete beginners to seasoned dice rollers.
The brand draws inspiration from Southeast Asian mythology and Nusantara folklore, creating uniquely localised campaigns. In a heavily Western-influenced hobby like Dungeons & Dragons, Lore Obscure offers players easily recognisable and relatable storylines. Even I was surprised by the sense of comfort I felt when I realised our campaign was set in Asia!
First impressions from a first-timer
After navigating the rather confusing corridors of People’s Park Complex, I finally stumbled upon Lore Obscure’s door. And entered a whole other realm! The team dedicated a lot of effort to curating the atmosphere of the space, adding to the fantastical aura. From lights and music to even olfactory cues, it was like I had entered a portal.
I visited during the grand opening where fellow players and I were split into random groups to determine what type of game we would play. Three different (role-play games) RPG systems were being used that night. I ended up with Wan, who hosted a Powered by the Apocalypse system. She described it as a storytelling-focused game style, where players build the story and world, and the lore master shapes it around players’ inputs.
I’ll admit – I’ve played role-play-style games before, so the method wasn’t completely foreign to me. However, I’ve never played a character in-person before, so I was nervous about what role-playing in real life looked like.
After doing quick introductions and setting the mood with lights and sound effects, Wan began to shape the world. She told a tale of a princess with a curse, and guided us through our character setups. Despite being worried about saying the “wrong” thing, I found myself immersed and audaciously in character. All my senses were engaged – including my sense of smell! I swear I got a whiff of pandan at the mention of it halfway through the game.
Encouraged by my fellow players, I tried not to worry about being profound and picked actions that felt natural. Once I figured out I had free will, there was no stopping me from using my powers every second!
Made for all kinds of players
Beyond Wan’s Powered by the Apocalypse system, I took a gander at the other rooms to see what else I could have experienced.
Isa introduced me to his Wuxia-inspired Dungeons & Dragons setup, which uses a D20 system. Despite being distilled into its core elements to keep the game more straightforward, Isa’s game had the intricate details you’d find in traditional Dungeons & Dragons games. Think stat pages and granular character quirks!
Meanwhile, Jacob employed a 10 Candles system, a popular style for one-time campaigns. The objective is not to survive, but to find meaning in a story where everyone meets their demise. Played in a dark room, each candle is extinguished to mark the ends of scenes for that added immersion.
All of this to say, there are many versions of the game, and not all of them require long-term commitment.
A collective goal for the team was to introduce tabletop role-playing games in an environment that would be as unintimidating as possible. “Sometimes the hardest part is even getting people to a table in the first place,” Wan explains. Beginners are invited to join any game at their convenience, experience a session of D&D for themselves, and build the interest from there.
With Crash Courses and Flash Games to Voyages and Sagas, Lore Obscure offers a variety of games for many types of players. You can even request a customised campaign, or book a room to host a private campaign. The team also offers corporate bookings if you’re looking for a new team bonding activity in Singapore.
Is it worth visiting?
I think Lore Obscure is absolutely worth the visit, especially if you’re an aspiring player or someone seasoned looking for a new campaign to play locally.
Lore Obscure has been deliberately designed to remove many friction points that keep most people from rolling their first D20. Between the welcoming team, the uniquely Southeast Asian-inspired storytelling, and the range of game formats offered, there’s something for everyone no matter your schedule or level of commitment.
For a hobby that has felt like it belonged to a very specific archetype of person, Lore Obscure is doing the most to prove that anyone can give it a go. And even if it’s not for you, it’ll give you a spectacular story to tell at your next hangout!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know D&D before joining?
Nope! Lore Obscure’s structure has been designed with first-timers in mind. If you haven’t tried a campaign before, join one of the Crash Courses to get a feel of the game, or try one of the one-shot campaigns.
What type of games are there?
Lore Obscure offers four different game types with various commitment levels.
Crash Courses: Ideal for beginners who haven’t played before. You’ll be taught everything you need to know to survive. Everything will be provided for you, and feel free to come with a group or show up solo.
Flash Games: Good for players who have just started their journey. Flash games are intentionally designed to be done in one session, so there’s no pressure of prep or any long-term commitment. It’s ideal if you want to try new styles of play!
Voyages: Approximately four to eight sessions long. This would require mid-level commitment, approximately one to three months. It’s best for players who want more time to explore other TTRPG systems.
Sagas: Sagas typically require the most commitment, spanning up to 24 sessions which can take up to 6 months. The games are long-form and allow players to invest more time and detail into their character.
Do I need to bring a group?
If you have a group of friends who want to try something new, you’re welcome to book a room and a lore master to host a campaign. If not, you can come solo!
Can I bring food?
Yes! You can feel free to bring your own food during your sessions. The team also has a small pantry with snacks and drinks available.
Can I request for a specific lore master?
Yes! Lore Obscure allows you to customise a game with specific lore masters if you prefer their play styles or narration. They can also craft a custom campaign for you.
