Spoilers - - - -

For the last few days, I have soloed my way through Han Cluster RPG: Jumpstart (30 pages at DriveThruRPG). I used the adventure and the PCs that are included in this jumpstart. I changed four lines in Hulks and Horrors (same place) to make the 156 page document my solo engine. So, my one word for describing this would be “challenging”. My six PCs started in three different locations that were very far apart. They do have the ability to become uncarapaced. I can only compare it to having an out-of-the-body experience except the X-ghost can use special equipment and can attempt to effect the physical world. Edo, Coral, and her Nex-pet started on a transport ship. They ended up on the planet Onyx inside a broadcast hub. They were captured. The Nex-pet shut down the power at the hub. It had its own agenda. Sirka and Trey started on a Light Freighter. They ended up in a ship to ship battle, but their ship malfunctioned and the enemy ship got away.

Krak and Secayda started on a space elevator at the Hope Expedition Museum in the city of Novus on Edenic. Secayda had scored rare tickets for her and Krak to tour the ancient Hope Expedition colony ship Thora in geo-synchronous orbit over the planet Edenic. They eventually had to use their electronic skills to take control of the rogue ship Thora. They were successful and avoided a huge disaster. Days later, the Han Cluster authorities are able to piece together what had happened and Krak and Secayda are hailed as the heroes of Edenic by its individual citizens, by its government, and even by the members of its military.

Give this a try!

I love the mechanic of the "caparpaced" and "ghost" forms of characters. I need to get my group to play this!

I have not played this with my group but I am very much looking forward to it. There's a few typos but the quality of the work shines through strongly. The rules seem sensible and avoid pitfalls of "hey we've got hundreds of new edges!" that some other systems fall into. The adventure is action-packed while still being well-balanced and having lots of opportunities for each of the excellent pre-gens to shine. Great work!

This is an incredible jump-start to what absolutely promises to be an amazing campaign setting in an original and unique scifi universe of discovery, exploration and optimism. The 30 pages (including six one-page pregens) read very easily and provide more than enough to orient a GM and immerse your players in the setting. The notes from the creator show insight into potential struggles of a new GM and it feels like the author is coaching you along as you read. For that reason alone I'd rate this jumpstart a must read for a NEW GM looking for a helping hand!

Beyond the writing style and the rich universe the Jumpstart introduces the reader to, the art and layout are just gorgeous. The world is something you want to explore and the pregens are people you want to play. Reading the backgrounds and stats of the characters, I think my table will want to replay this as different characters.

Finally, the Jumpstart does a very good job of giving you what you need but NOT MORE THAN YOU NEED. I definitely didn't feel bogged down reading this. There is a wealth of additional info provided by the author on www.hancluster.com of the "nice to know" info, but this document focuses on the "need to know" and I for one appreciate the 'less is more' approach there.

Bravo! 11 out of 10

This is an extremely well-done Jumpstart for what feels like a hopeful sci-fi setting. In addition to the amazing artwork included, the writing is very clear and tells you everything you need to know to run the adventure including the feel of the setting, without bogging you down in extraneous or superfluous detail.

I give this a strong recommendation to pick up and get to your table.

This is an amazing preview of a great setting. I highly recommend it!