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What are the "worst" TTRPGs, and why?

Started by DM_Curt, January 07, 2022, 07:57:00 PM

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David Johansen

#45
January 10, 2022, 01:02:14 AM
Quote from: jhkim on January 09, 2022, 05:53:46 PM

Yeah, in absolute terms, the worst games are likely self-published dreck that no one other than their creator ever played. And there's a significant number of those.

But the more interesting, I think, are games like Cyborg Commando that had stuff going for them and real backers - plus the name and experience of Gary Gygax - that still managed to be terrible. Games like D20 Modern at least have their share of fans (as evidenced in this thread) -- but Cyborg Commando never had a community even at the time it was released.

It was advertised in Dragon for a couple of years as was the modern spy version MISSION.

Another one might be Man Myth and Magic.  I recall the ads and the Dragon Magazine review but never had a copy.  I believe Hinterwelt has republished it.
Fantasy Adventure Comic, games, and more http://www.uncouthsavage.com

Spinachcat

#46
January 10, 2022, 01:17:14 AM
The absolute WORST RPG EVAR is your favorite game.

Unless it's also my favorite game.

In that case, you are just playing it wrong.

3catcircus

#47
January 10, 2022, 08:32:19 AM
Quote from: jhkim on January 09, 2022, 05:53:46 PM
Quote from: David Johansen on January 09, 2022, 03:57:15 PM
I always point to Knights And Berserkers And Ledergermain as the ultimate kid wrote a game and parents mortgaged the house to publish it.  6d20 for a dozen attributes one of which you use the square root of divided by the target's attribute times 100 to find the chance to hit.

The parchment floor plans did look nice.

Yeah, in absolute terms, the worst games are likely self-published dreck that no one other than their creator ever played. And there's a significant number of those.

But the more interesting, I think, are games like Cyborg Commando that had stuff going for them and real backers - plus the name and experience of Gary Gygax - that still managed to be terrible. Games like D20 Modern at least have their share of fans (as evidenced in this thread) -- but Cyborg Commando never had a community even at the time it was released.

I think that games like Cyborg Commando, Dangerous Journeys, Twilight:2013 suffer from, not poor gameplay or mechanics, but a poor edit and sub-optimal layout.  When you have to flip across several sections of the rules for character creation, it's a problem...  And I love the concepts for all three games - especially Twilight:2013 (to the point that I've created my own personal edit of the published rules and supplements that rearranges the layout to make it easier to use.)

bat

#48
January 10, 2022, 11:54:11 AM
As far as Synnibarr goes there is a new edition coming out and the rules are redone. I have the pdfs and this version is sturdier. I know Raven gets a lot of flak, but this is his thing and he is pretty much a one man band.
Ancient Vaults & Eldritch Secrets

Sans la colère. Sans la haine. Et sans la pitié.

Jag är inte en människa. Det här är bara en dröm, och snart vaknar jag.


Running: Barbarians of Lemuria, Black Sword Hack
Playing: AD&D 1st Edition.

HappyDaze

#49
January 10, 2022, 11:57:10 AM
Quote from: 3catcircus on January 10, 2022, 08:32:19 AM
Quote from: jhkim on January 09, 2022, 05:53:46 PM
Quote from: David Johansen on January 09, 2022, 03:57:15 PM
I always point to Knights And Berserkers And Ledergermain as the ultimate kid wrote a game and parents mortgaged the house to publish it.  6d20 for a dozen attributes one of which you use the square root of divided by the target's attribute times 100 to find the chance to hit.

The parchment floor plans did look nice.

Yeah, in absolute terms, the worst games are likely self-published dreck that no one other than their creator ever played. And there's a significant number of those.

But the more interesting, I think, are games like Cyborg Commando that had stuff going for them and real backers - plus the name and experience of Gary Gygax - that still managed to be terrible. Games like D20 Modern at least have their share of fans (as evidenced in this thread) -- but Cyborg Commando never had a community even at the time it was released.

I think that games like Cyborg Commando, Dangerous Journeys, Twilight:2013 suffer from, not poor gameplay or mechanics, but a poor edit and sub-optimal layout.  When you have to flip across several sections of the rules for character creation, it's a problem...  And I love the concepts for all three games - especially Twilight:2013 (to the point that I've created my own personal edit of the published rules and supplements that rearranges the layout to make it easier to use.)
Decipher's take on the Star Trek RPG had a Player's Guide with notoriously bad layout that made character creation a chore.
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