My soon to be Mother-in-Law bought me the entire line of Blue Planet for Christmas.

I've read a little bit of it, but I want to know everyone's thoughts on the game.

I think it's cool, and I've been interested in the premise since I worked at a game store many moons ago.

What's everyone's opinion?  Have you run it?  How did it work systemically?  I've only read a bit of the system, and it seems a little weird, but is it too weird?

Quote from: joewolzMy soon to be Mother-in-Law bought me the entire line of Blue Planet for Christmas.

I've read a little bit of it, but I want to know everyone's thoughts on the game.

I think it's cool, and I've been interested in the premise since I worked at a game store many moons ago.

What's everyone's opinion?  Have you run it?  How did it work systemically?  I've only read a bit of the system, and it seems a little weird, but is it too weird?

All I can say is, it's a damn cool setting. I never really liked the system,though. When I ran a campaign, I used a modified Cyberpunk 2020 and certain aspects of Cybergeneration...

Regards,
David R

have it, love it, but never ran it.  actually, i have the 1st ed. rulebook and the 4 sourcebooks for 2nd ed.  i'd love to run it, but would probably switch systems to traveller or something else i'm familiar with.  but i don't see the opportunity to explore it as i'd like, so it is probably a back-burner item for '07.

I have it and I love it, but have not run it. I'm a sucker for fairly "gritty" systems and Synergy is very close to Silhouette, another love of mine. The world is very well thought out, the supplements well written and informative (although Natural Selection is a bit dry...but it's still good! But dry...). I do recall something in the combat system that didn't quite click and I can't seem to remember what it is. I do like the fact that there is no such thing as non-lethal damage, no hit locations, and the better you hit the worse the wounding is. I also liked the Aptitudes, the roll-under based on the skill level and a few other things. One of these days (probably when I get done reading CORPS) I'm going to cobble together a Silhouette/Synergy/CORPS monster homebrew, cherry-picking the best of all of them.

So it seems that a lot of people, myself included, think Blue Planet is awesome, but have never run it.

Has anyone out there run the game before?

I like the idea of it, and had the GURPS version along with the regular version for a time, but sorry, never ran or played it either. I think it's one of those games that some of us find interesting, but for for many people just doesn't do it. Interestingly, I noticed a bit of Blue Planet in one of the main worlds of the Stardrive setting... the name of it escapes me at the moment. I do remember thinking that many parts of the BP setting would plug right in and run for that world.

Quote from: SigmundI like the idea of it, and had the GURPS version along with the regular version for a time, but sorry, never ran or played it either. I think it's one of those games that some of us find interesting, but for for many people just doesn't do it. Interestingly, I noticed a bit of Blue Planet in one of the main worlds of the Stardrive setting... the name of it escapes me at the moment. I do remember thinking that many parts of the BP setting would plug right in and run for that world.

It definitely does it for me, I just haven't had time to run it. I'd run it with the Synergy system, because a lot of the system design clicks with me. I wish I could remember what it was in combat that had me scratching my head though...

Quote from: joewolzSo it seems that a lot of people, myself included, think Blue Planet is awesome, but have never run it.

Has anyone out there run the game before?

I ran an one-shot game once, but that was a few years ago - I can't really remember any system quirks.

I remember that the characters had an easy time going through the scenario, but we were playing with exceptional / elite characters, so that may have shifted the odds.

I got the two v2 core books in late a week ago (bless Fantasy Flight for its $5 holiday sale). Haven't read them yet except for a few snippets, but they look good.

I've played but not run BPv2.  Synergy is a solid system (and the resemblance to Silhouette is more than a coincidence), but the corebooks do suffer from some problems in terms of editing and organization.  It's harder to grok than it should be.

The setting is fantastic, but the game does suffer from a lack of focus.  It's much like Transhuman Space in that way, though BP has the advantage (IMO, anyways) of being more accessible than THS.

All in all, it's one of my favourite RPGs.

KoOS

Quote from: joewolzWhat's everyone's opinion?  Have you run it?  How did it work systemically?  I've only read a bit of the system, and it seems a little weird, but is it too weird?

It's one of those crappy systems that came out from the 90s trend of design. Very cute in concept but boring and tedious in play.

I've run both of Blue Planet's systems (1st and 2nd edition) and they are equally flawed. The setting side of the game was much more promising but lacked a bit of heart and guts. It could still have been a great game but two shitty systems eventually killed it.  

Try it and see if you like. I ended up selling much of my Blue Planet material and only kept notes of the bits I liked, eventually incorporating them in my homebrewed setting.

I disagree here with Consonant Dude. I've played and ran BPv2, and own a lot of the books, due to Fantasy Flight 5$ sale. My experience with the Sinergy system is simply fantastic. If you like gritty, you won't find much better options. Actually, a friend of mine uses Sinergy for any modern day or future campaign of his own.

On the setting side, I have to agree that the setting is awesome, full of possibilities, and a bit lacking of focus. Many people likes the stuff, but don't have a clear idea of what they're supposed to do with it. There are simply too many cool choices.

Overall, BPv2 is my favourite hard sci-fi system (I love SW D6, but I don't think they fit the same genre). I definitely recommend it.

Quote from: Consonant DudeIt's one of those crappy systems that came out from the 90s trend of design. Very cute in concept but boring and tedious in play.

I've run both of Blue Planet's systems (1st and 2nd edition) and they are equally flawed. The setting side of the game was much more promising but lacked a bit of heart and guts. It could still have been a great game but two shitty systems eventually killed it.  

Heh? I disagree completely with the statement above. I played it, liked it and the
Synergy system is still my all time favourite RPG system.
It seems I am the result of the

Quote from: Consonant Dude90s trend of design

too...