An alt history 1977 RPG. Anyone got it? Is it any good?
It's another Apocalypse World system based game, so playbooks (character sheets) and 2D6 rolling is the order of the day. I had a flick through it, thought it was OK. DIdn't feel the need to buy it though, as I'd probably not ever get round to playing it. There is some inspiration from the 70s Blaxploitation, cop and kung fu movies, I suppose - but it wasn't something I felt I couldn't already do with other games.
I think it is loads of fun. The simple rules set should have come with the world setting though which is the money shot.
Played a couple sessions and liked it. I've heard criticisms about it not being one of the best iterations of the system, though. Looks like the authors didn't care much for tightening the screws on themes etc and just did some light and fast rules for 70s action movies flavor.
And yeah, the lack of the setting on the corebook may be a problem.
Of the three different applications of the Apocalypse World system I've played, the best was Monster of the Week. I haven't found that the system fits everything equally well, however. Some of the applications, I just shrug and think 'your just following a bit of a fad' rather than actually being really truly thoughtful about how the game is designed.
I'm not saying Spirit of '77 is one of those, necessarily, but it just wasn't quite striking enough to really persuade me. I bring in 70's cultural references all the time into contemporary games I already play - so I'm not sure that this specialist game actually goes deeper than I already do myself, and the system is an OK application of a familiar system. Is all, really.
Urban Knights is a less gonzo but still groovy take on 70s cops-and-robbers. (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/191967/Urban-Knights-Roleplaying-in-the-World-of-1970s-Crime-Television) Haven't picked it up yet myself but it sounds promising.
The Hood, Cartel and 1% The Outlaw Motorcycle game are all PbtA that take a more gritty approach to the genre.
Quote from: Thanos;994449An alt history 1977 RPG. Anyone got it? Is it any good?
What is the alternative history? What is the premise? What would a PC do, for instance?
It is a gonzo game, combining blaxploitation/b-movies and sf are two of the biggest tropes.
If it's AW, it's not really an RPG.
Explain please.
Quote from: Thanos;995376Explain please.
Are you familiar with this board's obsession with distinguishing so called 'Storygames' from Role Playing games?
Quote from: Thanos;995376Explain please.
Good luck, he can't.
Quote from: Nexus;995383Are you familiar with this board's obsession with distinguishing so called 'Storygames' from Role Playing games?
One man does not make a board...;)...but it's his ball so he can kick it when he wants to.
Veddy interestink.
I wonder how it would fare for Interstate '76.
Interstate '76 is an alt-reality driving game, set in a (1976) world where oil is super expensive and auto-vigilantes roam the American West, mounting machine guns and such to their muscle cars. They fight crime!
Here's the intro to the game redone with the GTA V engine. The original game's intro graphics have...not aged well.
[video=youtube;jqlobYKXoQY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqlobYKXoQY[/youtube]