
Merty MacFlew and the Crush Capacitor
On Quisicosas since 26 January 2026
Featured in the newsletter of
26 January 2026 (on Substack)
What it is about
A race against time and your mother’s hormones… This is a solo journaling RPG parodying a popular time travel movie you've probably seen. You are Merty MacFlew. When your crazy inventor friend, Donk Brown, built a time machine out of a _________________ you were accidentally thrown back in time to the year _______. Past Donk can send you home in five days, but there’s a problem. You’ve interrupted your boy-crazy Mom falling in love with your Dad. Worse, she’s in danger of falling for you instead! Embarrass yourself in front of her enough times that Dad looks better by comparison or you’ll never be born. Supplies needed: 1d6. A d4 if you have one. Pen or pencil. Journal/notebook. Advice: Lean into the role-play - Make use of your chosen year's tropes and idiosyncrasies. Converse with Donk. Fear your mother. Be creative - these scenes are to spark imagination, not railroad you. Have fun - like all journaling games, you get out what you put in. Multiplayer: While this is designed for solo-play, you could make it multiplayer by taking turns narrating scenes and yes-and'ing your way to laughter. Keep it silly.