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Review -Hunger: Zombies Must Be Feed

Started by Mcrow, October 18, 2006, 11:29:11 PM

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Mcrow

Hunger uses PIG’s GenreDiversion I (GDI) system.  Since this is an add-on to be used with any of the other GDI games, I will just give a quick over view of the rules. GDI is a 2d6 roll under system where you add your ability and the skill rating. If you roll under your skill rating you succeed. This applies to combat as well as skills. GDI is a good, simple system that is flexible enough for most any application.

Character generation is pretty simple, you basically choose your gender, age, and randomly determine fitness rating. All zombies begin with brawling, composure, and stealth skills. Then you get 15 points to spend on other skills, but you can only use these if you have an epiphany (see below). Then you pick your gimmicks (all zombies start with life sense, lurch, and vibe), up to three more in addition to the ones you start with. Then you roll for glut, which is partially related to your fitness rating.

The gimmick really add flavor to the game and range from gross to funny. Some of the ones I like the most were: Explosive Regurgitation, Jelly Bones, and Putrid Belch.

How does a zombie do what it does? In Hunger one of the most important new mechanics is the “glut”.  You can use glut to activate special effects from your zombie’s gimmicks and activate an Epiphany. An Epiphany is when a character experiences, witnesses, or remembers something from their life. During play you can spend glut to remember something from your life, such as if you were a cop, you could possibly remember how to use a gun.  They can also be used for more simple things like how to turn the lights on and such. The trick is you have add narration showing why you might remember. I think that the above mechanics are great and really give the game the intended feel.

Now to the heart of the game, eating humans! Since glut is what powers so much of your zombie’s best stuff, you will want to keep full-up on it. The best way to do that is to brains, organs, and other parts.  Generally it involves the zombie making a successful grab attack followed with a bite attack next round.  Since a single bite doesn’t take down those wiggly humans, any good zombie will have buddies around to help drag them down.  The GM is responsible for the extra zombies who help the PC zombies swarm humans.
Content/layout

Since this is meant as an add-on for other GDI games it gives you all the additional rules and mechanics that are needed to play zombies. In addition to the required rules it also gives advice about how to run the game and good example of play. Another nice feature is the story seed section that gives several short a description of places and or groups of humans to get the game going with. Hunger also includes a nice scenario “class of 2005” that takes place on a college campus.

The layout is great. The fonts, graphics, and writing all enhance the theme of the game. I feel like a broken record sometimes but this level of quality, normally seen only from larger publishers, has become what I expect to see from PIG.  

Conclusion:

If you want to have some fun, from a zombie’s point of view, Hunger is a game you should definitely check out. Great quality and concept backed with zombies make this a game that any zombie fan should add to his collection.

http://www.pigames.net/


Mcrow

Quote from: RPGObjects_chuckNice review. I own a few PIG products and think they're good stuff.

Chuck

thanks.

Yeah, they have some the best games out ther IMO.

At the end of the review, I almost felt like I hadn't done my job because I couldn't find anything to imporve. Then, I thought it through and still nothing. Little odd for me, cuz I can normally find something that needs improvement. It wasn't perfect, but it really didn't have anything that I could say needs improvement. I'm not into nitpicking in general.

mattormeg

I've never owned any PIG products, but I've often been intrigued.
Oh, and Crow, sometimes things are just pretty danged good the way that they are. Nothing wrong with that!

pspahn

Hey Mcrow,

As the author of Hunger, just wanted to say thanks for the great review.  It was a lot of fun to write.  If anyone's interested, there are a few western and sci-fi zombie story ideas and optional Hunger rules on the PIG collaborative site.  

Thanks again,

Pete
Small Niche Games
Also check the WWII: Operation WhiteBox Community on Google+

Mcrow

Quote from: pspahnHey Mcrow,

As the author of Hunger, just wanted to say thanks for the great review.  It was a lot of fun to write.  If anyone's interested, there are a few western and sci-fi zombie story ideas and optional Hunger rules on the PIG collaborative site.  

Thanks again,

Pete

Thanks, and the game truely deserved a good score. It's a must have for any zombie fan.

Do you have any other games that you developed?

pspahn

Quote from: McrowThanks, and the game truely deserved a good score. It's a must have for any zombie fan.

Do you have any other games that you developed?

I wrote Dreamwalker: Roleplaying in the Land of Dreams and four free supplements to go with it, all available at rpgnow.com (also a d20 Modern conversion and an Active Exploits Dreamwalker conversion).  I've done a lot of other freelance work, although most of it lately has been for PIG.  My -under construction- online portfolio is here, but it hasn't been updated in a few months.  If you see anything you might want to review let me know and I'll try and wrangle you a copy.  

http://www.freewebs.com/pspahn/

Thanks again,

Pete
Small Niche Games
Also check the WWII: Operation WhiteBox Community on Google+

Mcrow

Quote from: pspahnI wrote Dreamwalker: Roleplaying in the Land of Dreams and four free supplements to go with it, all available at rpgnow.com (also a d20 Modern conversion and an Active Exploits Dreamwalker conversion).  I've done a lot of other freelance work, although most of it lately has been for PIG.  My -under construction- online portfolio is here, but it hasn't been updated in a few months.  If you see anything you might want to review let me know and I'll try and wrangle you a copy.  

http://www.freewebs.com/pspahn/

Thanks again,

Pete

Sounds good. I'll have to check it out.

Also sorry about the banning, every now and then the software gets a little overzealous. :D