Having played Stellagama's Cepheus Light several times, it was a breeze to learn the Cepheus Atom system. What I find so appealing is the streamlined quality of the rules system. Rolling up characters only take a few minutes, and combat is quick and easy to manage. Their is still enough variety in combat resolution without it being too abstract or bogged down by a lot of rules covering every aspect/nuance of combat. This is where Cepheus Atom shines far above Gamma World First Edition combat. The GW first edition combat system was something I never did like.
There are a good variety of environmental mutations that characters can receive, as well as a good size list of ancient relics that you will want your characters to find while exploring the wastelands. Instructions for creating settlements, mapping resources, or antagonist organizations are not included. These are left to the imagination and creativity of the GM.
I recently purchased a POD copy of Cepheus Atom from DriveThruRPG. The print quality, layout, and book size are excellent in my opinion. I highly recommend purchasing the PDF and POD together. Both come in handy for my gaming campaigns.
A "rules light" rpg may not suit everyone's taste, but for those who don't want the hassle of referencing a ton of rules, this is a great choice. If you like your RPG with lots of "fast and loose" action, then Cepheus Atom is right up your alley!
D. Tom Conboy
|