Not seeing much more reported on this new game that a few of us were interested in, I found this review PLUS an actual play (for those not bored to tears by spectator sport);

[video=youtube;4mrCA1RiJEQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mrCA1RiJEQ[/youtube]

Looks like fun although, I like the Horror rules for Uncharted Worlds better still. I didn't notice "acid for blood" being a thing for this session, either.

Horror's a tricky thing to do at the table. Done wrong, it seems to turn into "action" instead - different feel altogether, for me.

Anyhow, could be a fun additional for your group.

Banter?

It looks really pretty, and the pre-order bundle comes with special dice, a poster map, cards, markers... all the trinkets. But nowadays, I have trouble justifying new rpg purchases to myself. "Why can't I just do this with Savage Worlds?"

Of course, I could always convert the setting material. And it sure is pretty.

Quote from: smcc360;1094078It looks really pretty, and the pre-order bundle comes with special dice, a poster map, cards, markers... all the trinkets. But nowadays, I have trouble justifying new rpg purchases to myself. "Why can't I just do this with Savage Worlds?"

Of course, I could always convert the setting material. And it sure is pretty.

I have a really soft spot for Alien, so I can't see me not preordering this one.

You might check out Mothership - yeah you can do it with Savage Worlds, but Mothership is custom-built to do Alien.  I'm not sure it has much range beyond that, but it does the hell out of Alien.

For setting material, add in Hostile from Zozer, which is as much 1980s grungy space setting as you could ever possibly need.  Is it official Alien?  No, but it's totally setting-adjacent and can give you tons of ideas.

Quote from: Theory of Games;1094074Not seeing much more reported on this new game that a few of us were interested in, I found this review PLUS an actual play (for those not bored to tears by spectator sport);

[video=youtube;4mrCA1RiJEQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mrCA1RiJEQ[/youtube]

Looks like fun although, I like the Horror rules for Uncharted Worlds better still. I didn't notice "acid for blood" being a thing for this session, either.

Horror's a tricky thing to do at the table. Done wrong, it seems to turn into "action" instead - different feel altogether, for me.

Anyhow, could be a fun additional for your group.

Banter?

Sounds very cool. I'm curious about that Cinematic mode, where PCs are supposed to die. If you get more details on this, lemme know.

Quote from: Theory of Games;1094074PLUS an actual play (for those not bored to tears by spectator sport)

Ugh. Not a fan of "Mother, May I" games where the DM needs human dice rollers to tell his story to.

A slightly better game session is at:

[video=youtube;zvy9fNHbdSI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvy9fNHbdSI[/youtube]

Quote from: Thornhammer;1094105For setting material, add in Hostile from Zozer, which is as much 1980s grungy space setting as you could ever possibly need.  Is it official Alien?  No, but it's totally setting-adjacent and can give you tons of ideas.

Paul Elliot, the man behind Zozer Games and writer of Hostile, was sought out specifically to help create Alien the RPG.

I bought into the pre-order and am looking forward to this game. I finally got to play Tales from the Loop, which is highly narrative and uses a similar dice mechanic. Alien also makes you track resources like air and food and ammo, which is kind of neat.

Quote from: Itachi;1094108Sounds very cool. I'm curious about that Cinematic mode, where PCs are supposed to die. If you get more details on this, lemme know.

They use "cinematic" different from some RPGs. While most games use "cinematic" to represent a less realistic style of play, Alien uses the term to represent "one shot" instead of a campaign.

Quote from: quickplayA Cinematic scenario emulates the dramatic arc of an ALIEN film. Designed to be played in a single session, this game mode emphasizes high stakes and fast and brutal play. Conflict between player characters is likely, and you are not all expected to survive. In fact, most of your PCs probably won't live to see the end of the scenario.

Quote from: finarvyn;1094140I bought into the pre-order and am looking forward to this game. I finally got to play Tales from the Loop, which is highly narrative and uses a similar dice mechanic. Alien also makes you track resources like air and food and ammo, which is kind of neat.

They use "cinematic" different from some RPGs. While most games use "cinematic" to represent a less realistic style of play, Alien uses the term to represent "one shot" instead of a campaign.

You need to learn to read ad copy my man.

"Emulates Dramatic Arc" is, generally speaking, code for "chock full of narrative stuff".

Now I do know they they achieve this in part through carefully constructed pregen.  Characters have a detailed backstory and goals that are designed to put them in conflict with other characters, aka Ash from Alien and Burke from Aliens.

Now, with a combat system that's verisimilar, characters with competing goals, a claustrophobic setting and good roleplayers, that's all you need for Alien/Aliens simulation/emulation.

I'm 100% certain they will add more, OOC metagame mechanics to Cinematic mode.

I'm guessing what Itachi's interested in is even more overt with regards to character death, something like Carolina Deathcrawl.

Quote from: jeff37923;1094129Paul Elliot, the man behind Zozer Games and writer of Hostile, was sought out specifically to help create Alien the RPG.

Well, butter my biscuit and call me a buttered biscuit.  Alien is in good hands then, he nailed it.

Quote from: Thornhammer;1094190Well, butter my biscuit and call me a buttered biscuit.  Alien is in good hands then, he nailed it.

You are a buttered biscuit. My contribution to this thread is complete. Also, Alien rocks.

Any ideas on what the system is like?

Quote from: trechriron;1094629Any ideas on what the system is like?

When you say 'ideas' are you looking for facts/details, or opinions on the system?

I will buy the rpg even though I find it a bit expensive. I don't like the Mother title for the GM though. I'm just reminded of this:

[video=youtube;29iPMa1YdW4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iPMa1YdW4[/youtube]

this game mode emphasizes high stakes and fast and brutal play. Conflict between player characters is likely, and you are not all expected to survive. In fact, most of your PCs probably won't live to see the end of the scenario.

That's called me running almost anything.

Quote from: trechriron;1094629Any ideas on what the system is like?

I have the quickstart PDF, having pre-ordered the game, but have little experience playing it so far.

The system is similar to other games that Free Legion has produced. You have stats and skills and roll dice equal to the number of the two combined, 6's are successes. Most actions require one success, some require 2 or 3. It has some narrative elements and rolls are discouraged unless necessary. You track wounds, but also can panic. You have to keep track of air and food and ammo and that kind of thing, as part of the campaign revolves around some degree of resource management.

Campaigns are NOT supposed to be "alien of the week" style as I think we all agree that this would get old, fast. The designers are working on a comprehensive campaign setting which will pit various factions (empires, corporations, etc.) against one another. It should allow for space marines and "truckers in space" sorts of characters. I anticipate running something like a (darker) Firefly or Traveller style game, but with an occasional alien encounter. I want aliens to be highly anticipated, the way I use dragons in my D&D campaigns, and not a regular thing.