Anamnesis

Details

Playtime Not Played
Last Activity Never
Added 9/16/2025 7:40:20
Modified 9/16/2025 7:54:45
Completion Status Not Played
Library Itch.io
Source itch.io
Platform Physical
Release Date 4/3/2021
Community Score
Critic Score
User Score
Genre
Developer
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[itch.io] Games for Gaza
[itch.io] Indie bundle for Palestinian Aid
[itch.io] TTRPGs for Trans Rights in Texas!

Description

Physical copies are available at:

Discounted damaged copies are available on the Blinking Birch Games website.


Check out the projects from the Anamnesis Jam, and this collection of Anamnesis hacks!


Anamnesis: Designer's Commentary Version was nominated for a 2022 ENnie for Best Electronic Book!




What is Anamnesis?

Anamnesis is a 24-page solo journaling RPG about self-discovery, reflection, and identity.

You play as an individual who has woken up with memory loss. You do not remember who you are, where you are, or what you care about. As you draw tarot cards, you fill the blank spaces of your past and learn more about your present.

All that is needed to play is a deck of tarot cards and a way to record your thoughts.

Included is:

  • A PDF copy of Anamnesis (spreads & pages)
  • A Designer's Commentary version of Anamnesis
  • An audiobook of Anamnesis, narrated by the author

Click here for a Spotify playlist of background music for Anamnesis.


Praise for Anamnesis

"Anamnesis sent me down an eye-opening rabbit hole as far as what a TTRPG could be. Tender, personal, thought-provoking, moving, terrifying, raw."

Shawn Drake, designer of HEDGE and Court of Blades

"As an author, I love the potential of Anamnesis to help me generate random fictional scenarios. As I played, it became obvious that the game could also be used for self-reflection. Samantha has created a unique, powerful experience - I absolutely recommend Anamnesis for everyone who loves stories."

- Tanya Schofield, author of the Melody's Song trilogy

"Anamnesis invites you to sway and stumble through a journey of Proustian discoveries. Dwelling in the quiet connections between loss, discovery, and renewal, the game guides you through the creation of a world that can bloom and welcome, overwhelm and frighten, asking with a quiet persistence: Who are you?"

- Sean Patrick Cain, designer of Long Haul 1983


Interviews and Actual Plays


Friends at the Table - Anamnesis was featured in Sangfielle episode 52 (Six Travelers: Lyke) which contains an entire playthrough of the game.

Sangfielle: Friends At The Table Soundtrack, Season Seven | Jack de Quidt


Planet Arcana - Full actual play of Anamnesis, modified for 2-players.

Planet Arcana


Tin Can Audio - A 5-part audio drama based on a playthrough of Anamnesis.

AnamnesisCoverArt.png


My First Dungeon - An improvised radio drama actual play of Anamnesis, as well as an interview and talkback with the designer




The Lost Bay Podcast - Interview about the design process behind Anamnesis


Draw Your Dice - Interview about the TTRPG scene and a playthrough of Act 1 of Anamnesis


Midgardia RPG - Interview about Itchfunding with a demo of the game


The Team:

NO Generative AI was used in the making of this game.

Anamnesis was successfully Itchfunded, which allowed the game to have an artist, editor, and layout artist, and later the game was successfully Kickstarted for a print run. Thank you to everyone who supported the project!

If you like the art from Anamnesis, merch is available at Victor Winter's store.


Physical copies are available at:

Discounted damaged copies are available on the Blinking Birch Games website.