Another freeform system. This one has a very simple straightforward mechanic, you play a number of cards and try not to "bust" 21, the harder the challange, the more cards you draw.

The name says it all: it's a BUST. (I would leave it at that, but I have to type 50 characters for DTRPG to list my review.)

With some things I agree with the previous review and others I do not. This system has a very strong base and is a cool idea but does need a little TLC but this doesn't require much from anyone to achieve. This system deserves 5 stars but unfortunately with the product promoted it hasn't earned it and I will explain why I will give it 3 stars instead of 5. First star loss automatically comes from the previously stated lack of proofreading. This system does have some of this and while from a professional standpoint the system is a mere 34 pages and this is more of a laziness or lack of knowledge and should have never been disregarded. The second star loss comes from various reasons. The system is very light and in some ways it does need some clarification but in others not as much because this is the way it is designed. The system was meant to be very open to interpretation and customizing because the author wanted the system to be able to become whatever it needed to be from those using it by allowing them to make it this way. There is a "Tweaking" section discussing this but unfortunately it is a little thin for those who need a bit of guidance to get it done. An example is power ups as it would be probable for others to advance and buy new ones like you can buy new traits, and there is new guidelines for what is too powerful or weak in creating them and there is not development point value for buying into them either (I personally work with 250 for each new power up.) And an example of something that needed to be done is style points as there is no obvious explanation for using this to the fullest extent. It explains when you gain them and what they are worth to buy a Joker but it doesn't cover recording them and documenting them. This is one REALLY EASY fix in that you treat them like Development points when scoring them and spending them. It's that easy to fix and basically every other problem is that easy to fix as well. Another reason way I dock the second star due to the lack of coverage on how to tweak the system is because the author is unresponsive about his own product. I have sent multiple emails with no response over the past year. I have even noticed a comment posted on his website which has been up for two months and no response as well. For this lack of customer service coverage of the product I have to contribute to this products shortcomings as well. To remedy this I suggest seeking out other BUST players in rpg forums and working things out together because it will be your best route of getting any help. Don't completely disregard this wonderful piece of partial-effort material..... ??? ...... It really does not take much to fully appreciate it as one gaming sessions could understand how to use it and only a few more hours to fix it. There is a world of possibilities and I wouldn't let what this author didn't do with it keep you from making it what it can be. I personally have worked on a new revised one sheet character sheet and a 4 page pdf that is all about errata and expansion that completely makes the difference and then the only thing you need is a setting and a story. 4-6 pages of work is about all this system is really lacking and for a free and wonderful thing anyone could put in the effort to fix it it and make it a masterpiece!

Bust is a really cool idea, and the creativity that went into it is truly refreshing. The problem is the writing. It's poorly organized, full of spelling and grammar mistakes, and the examples do not fully explain the rules. It does not appear to have been proofread, playtested or properly edited. It reads like a first draft.

Guys, if none of you or your friends are good proofreaders, hire somebody! Ask neutral 3rd parties to playtest your game! Get feedback on your rules, and make sure that people -- people who didn't write the game -- understand your rules!

I hate to give such a cool idea a bad review. But as it stands, it is unplayable. I really look forward to the revision.