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Post by Finarvyn on Oct 20, 2010 18:38:59 GMT -6
I've seen ads for the new GAMMA WORLD (based on 4E D&D) and it looks interesting, although the "power cards" are sold in booster packs.
It seems to be a lot more "gonzo" than any GW that I've ever played, but perhaps we're the only group to try to keep GW and MA more serious than wacky.
Anyway, I don't have this yet but have decided to order a copy and would be interested to see if anyone else finds the game interesting or not.
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EdOWar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 315
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Post by EdOWar on Oct 20, 2010 19:21:40 GMT -6
I don't have it yet, but from the various reviews I've read it does sound like an interesting take on Gamma World. I like the gonzo alternate-realities-mashed-together theme it has going. The card aspect doesn't bother me too much, except that they're apparently offering promo-type cards, which is quite annoying. It's got quick, random character generation, which is nice. My only other concern is how involved the combat gets, but that perhaps could be simplified with some good house-rules.
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Post by amityvillemike on Oct 20, 2010 21:38:42 GMT -6
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Post by littlewars on Oct 20, 2010 23:17:57 GMT -6
Great review. I agree, the random character generation is a nice feature.
I picked up the box set and read the rulebook. I have no knowledge of 4e (I've only ever played 1e D&D) so the mechanics are somewhat tough to wrap my head around.
The rules remind me of a skirmish game with rpg elements. I like skirmish games, so that's not a slight, I just tend to separate my roleplaying games from my skirmish games.
If I were to play this I'd probably tweak the card mechanic. I'm inclined do away with the random card draws unless; the character mutated due to radiation, or found an artifact.
Also, at character generation I'd just use the supplied Alpha deck to generate mutations. Any mutations drawn would be permanent mutations throughout the game.
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Post by Finarvyn on Oct 21, 2010 16:39:52 GMT -6
Great review, Mike, and I exalt you for it. I love the way you put together your bullet points for the old-timers who want to look at D&D GW for the first time. I'll be looking forward to further updates to this!
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EdOWar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 315
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Post by EdOWar on Oct 21, 2010 19:24:41 GMT -6
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Post by amityvillemike on Oct 21, 2010 20:11:48 GMT -6
Here's the second part of the overview. I'm going wait until I've played a round or two before I give my final summation, but I was more impressed than I expected myself to be. There's a lot of fun to be had here, but I'm not certain that this would be the best engine for me to run an ongoing GW campaign with (which is my intention for next year). poleandrope.blogspot.com/2010/10/initial-reading-of-d-gamma-world-part.html
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Post by Finarvyn on Oct 21, 2010 20:23:48 GMT -6
One thing I don't get is why WotC would launch a line like GAMMA WORLD without much early support. I mean, if you're going to have a tie-in novel, why wait until February?
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EdOWar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 315
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Post by EdOWar on Oct 24, 2010 12:15:46 GMT -6
I received my copy of the new Gamma World on Friday and have been gradually reading through it. The more I read, the more I like it. Make no mistake, it still takes the tactical-miniatures approach that 4E does, but it seems to be to be a much simplified version of the rules. I think it would be fairly easy to play it without the miniatures and battle map. Just convert 'squares' to 5-foot increments, and perhaps a few other tweaks here-and-there. I'm actually looking forward to running a game.
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Post by Finarvyn on Oct 27, 2010 12:09:18 GMT -6
Yeah, it's very similar to 4E in that it uses miniatures-style terminology. (But WotC doesn't sell minis.) I like what I've been reading but still haven't played yet. I didn't get to play on Worldwide Gamma World day and no one has the module (unless you want to pay a hundred bucks on e-bay, that is).
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Post by amityvillemike on Oct 27, 2010 16:08:27 GMT -6
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LouGoncey
Level 4 Theurgist
"Lather. Rinse. Repeat. That's my philosophy."
Posts: 108
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Post by LouGoncey on Oct 27, 2010 17:38:34 GMT -6
I thought it was great but then I ran it on Game Day. it's still slow as 4e, and the only thing I liked were the cards which kept a totally random atmosphere to the whole thing.
But the game, I was bored unconscious during the first fight.
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EdOWar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 315
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Post by EdOWar on Oct 27, 2010 21:15:21 GMT -6
Ah, that's troubling to hear. Though I should probably play it as written first, I've been thinking of ways to slim the rules down. Maybe use some kind of abstracted battle mat (ala 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars). And remove a lot of the states: for example, do we really need both a Dazed and a Stunned state? Also, for the Omega Tech cards, just roll straight damage without adding the stat and level bonuses. Those weapons do crazy enough damage already.
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