This game is innovative and fresh in a scene that, let's be honest, doesn't need any new systems. And yet, it got my attention enough for me to invest in it as a Backer. The basic mechanic is one I wish I'd thought of because it's simple and yet very flexible.
Some comment on the layout. Well, I don't claim to be an expert but there is a reason the book is 68 pages long: it doesn't NEED to be any longer. This is a good budget game for people tired of handing over $30+ for a pretty but not-really-anything-different game. This game is to the point and gives you what you need to play.
As for the content, it's a full core game system and then a collection of settings. At least half the page-count is setting suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. BUT BE WARNED! Lester Smith is Old School as far as he designed a game that is meant to be built upon by you. If you've not got the imagination or patience to build adventure with a simple rules set to support you, then go buy the $30+ pretty books with other people's ideas all ready to go.
This game stopped me in my tracks in its elegance of design. Not layout design, game design. It's a game. Yes, I hope that Lester's team will one day expand the basic book to something more sprawling... but only because I enjoy reading and stealing from all the cool settings that we didn't get to fund first time around.
Simple, fun, elegant and modern RPG, anyone? This is just that. Go on, buy it!
|