As the title says, here's a few games that I really thought that would be 'meh' at best. That said, I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong.

First one is 'Advanced Fighting Fantasy 2e'. Playing the original FF books back in the eighties I thought they were little gems. And I wasted many a school evening delving deep into one of these paperback dungeons.

But when I heard that they were bringing out an RPG game using the same mechanics (or based off the original mechanics used in the books). I couldn't really see how they could make it work. Or even make a compelling game because of all the modern stuff about. So, I never gave it a second thought...

Anyway, fast forward some years later and everyone is talking about OSR. And how great AFF is (as well as many others). After reading many reviews (including Pundits) I bought it last weekend. And I'm really glad I did!

It's surprisingly detailed yet simple to play. With plenty of character options to get your teeth into. And with the slow rate of gaining experience and with the various character growth options (including the companion book). There's a great scope to make a meaty campaign and build up a decent character.

I also like the way the combat/magic work it could be billed as 'fast 'n fun' and pretty fucking dangerous.

Magic is a good laugh with a few different options (and some more in the campaign books). I really like Sorcery, it's powerful but it comes with a heavy stamina cost. Glad they have the 'Ooops table'.

Lone Wolf from Cubical 7 is in the same boat. Again, I thought it'd be mediocre at best, and again I was very wrong. It's very slick and I do love the Lone Wolf world - Incidentally, I always preferred the LW books to FF.

Both games are always billed as good as 'starter games' and that's very true, but I think they have the depth to be easily played for long term campaigns.

Castle & Crusades is another, but I'll talk about that later as I'm in poxy work at the moment.

Any games that you thought that would be god awful but turned out to be pretty good?

As a side note... I was in no way looking forward to WFRP V4 after the total mess that was made from V3 (with 2e rules I didn't see a need for another edition anyway).

But now knowing that Cubical 7 are on the case has given me some hope (after a great job they did with Lone Wolf).

Ta'!

Rifts was one of those games that needs a comp[lete overhaul imo yet is still fun espcially in the hands of a good DM.

New World of Darkness. I hated playing the previous version because of the metaplot yet the new one is so much better imo. With a very versatile system. Want to play a Supernatural or Walking Dead style game it can do it.

Games I hate and hope are better with a newer edition. WFRP. A rpg with a great background imo hampered with a system that like Rifts is functional yet is really not my cup of tea. That began showing it's age with the 40K rpgs. Swinging and missing in combat while realistic is boring. Being told "well if you keep missing just get closer to the target". Sure if I'm playing a melee character kind of sucks if I'm playing a ranged character.

Rifts was one of those games that needs a comp[lete overhaul imo yet is still fun espcially in the hands of a good DM.

New World of Darkness. I hated playing the previous version because of the metaplot yet the new one is so much better imo. With a very versatile system. Want to play a Supernatural or Walking Dead style game it can do it.

Games I hate and hope are better with a newer edition. WFRP. A rpg with a great background imo hampered with a system that like Rifts is functional yet is really not my cup of tea. That began showing it's age with the 40K rpgs. Swinging and missing in combat while realistic is boring. Being told "well if you keep missing just get closer to the target". Sure if I'm playing a melee character kind of sucks if I'm playing a ranged character.

Hmm, Holmes Basic D&D and OD&D...

My first introduction to RPGs was in a hobby store with some cash burning a hole in my pocket. There were these nifty boxed sets on the shelf behind the counter. I looked at Tractics and OD&D. Looking through Tractics I saw a detailed WWII miniatures game, looking through D&D, I couldn't make out what the game would be, and despite indicating miniatures in the blurb, I couldn't see how they were used. I purchased Tractics.

Some time later, my best friend got the Holmes set for his birthday from his older brother who had played D&D at school. Hearing more explanation of the game, I was still skeptical, and there certainly were no miniatures. So Friday evening I just watched the game (this was a sleepover birthday party), offering to look up rules for the GM and players. Watching the play, my mind was changed, and I sat up all night reading and absorbing the rules, and in the morning announced I was ready to run a game.

And the rest was history as they say...

Frank

I've only experienced the opposite: games I thought I would like but that turned out to be bad.

System26 Metamorphosis Alpha: I picked it up with low expectations. But overall it wasnt bad really. The main problem is a nigh total lack of background or maps.

Quote from: Dumarest;971992I've only experienced the opposite: games I thought I would like but that turned out to be bad.

Yeah, usually if I think a game will be bad I don't give it a chance. It's much more likely that I will really "buy in" and get a bunch of stuff for a game that looks cool, then be disappointed when it isn't.

Quote from: finarvyn;972019Yeah, usually if I think a game will be bad I don't give it a chance. It's much more likely that I will really "buy in" and get a bunch of stuff for a game that looks cool, then be disappointed when it isn't.

I should probably have said "that turned out to be a bad fit for me," as others may have liked them for whatever reason. The one that springs to mind is the Marvel Heroic RPG a few years back that someone gave me and I was looking forward to trying. I found it to be one of the worst written and most disorganized games I'd seen in a long time, which made understanding the rules difficult, and then I felt like every time we took a turn whoever's turn it was ended up being sucked out of the game world and back to the tabletop to count and discard dice. Anything that takes me out of the game world is negative to me. Some people appear to have liked the weird dice "steps" and undefined abilities and the odd way you got experience for doing X or also for doing the exact opposite of X.

TSR's original Buck Rogers. I always thought it was a half-assed cash in for the Dilles/Williams. And while I guess it is, but the original AD&D based one was pretty nice.

@Sureshot
I agree... Rifts is one of those games that's pretty broken in parts. But if you've got a decent GM then it's a lot of fun (oh, and assuming they can keep some kind of game balance). I'm looking to see how it works with the Savage World's engine.

It's the kind of game where you can keep the good ideas and scrap the rest. I think the 'core' of the game is great. Unfortunately, I don't think Mr. Siembeida ever heard of the term 'editing'. It is what it is and if you have a bunch of guys who are willing to put in the work it can be a lot of fun.

Plus, playing the Coalition armed with large rail guns and mowing down d-bees is hilarious.

Regarding the latest nWOD, I've not really had any experience with it tbh. I was a big fan of Vampire and still am under the right conditions. I tried the first iteration of Requiem and fucked it back on the shelf after realising they got rid of the Sabbat.

I might have another look at the new COD as I've heard good things about it.

WFRP is one of my favourite games (not the 3rd edition). I know what you mean though which starting characters.
I miss.. You miss... I miss.. You miss... I miss.. You miss... I miss.. You miss... ,etc.
It can get a bit tedious.

I'm very rarely surprised by games, pleasantly or unpleasantly.  However, I tend to research a game heavily before buying, and rarely get anything when it is first published.

Quote from: Dumarest;971992I've only experienced the opposite: games I thought I would like but that turned out to be bad.

 I can relate to that... Off the top of my head, Shadowrun is probably one of my biggest hates. I remember a few lads (in school many many years ago) describing it as 'state of the art' roleplaying. So, I was stoked to play it. Christ! I hated it. Orcs in trenchcoats and elves with spells. However, I realize it is more popular then ever, it's just not my cup of cha'.

Quote from: Omega;972018System26 Metamorphosis Alpha: I picked it up with low expectations. But overall it wasnt bad really. The main problem is a nigh total lack of background or maps.

Hmm... I've not heard of it before, to be honest.

Quote from: ffilz;971985Hmm, Holmes Basic D&D and OD&D...

My first introduction to RPGs was in a hobby store with some cash burning a hole in my pocket. There were these nifty boxed sets on the shelf behind the counter. I looked at Tractics and OD&D. Looking through Tractics I saw a detailed WWII miniatures game, looking through D&D, I couldn't make out what the game would be, and despite indicating miniatures in the blurb, I couldn't see how they were used. I purchased Tractics.

Some time later, my best friend got the Holmes set for his birthday from his older brother who had played D&D at school. Hearing more explanation of the game, I was still skeptical, and there certainly were no miniatures. So Friday evening I just watched the game (this was a sleepover birthday party), offering to look up rules for the GM and players. Watching the play, my mind was changed, and I sat up all night reading and absorbing the rules, and in the morning announced I was ready to run a game.

And the rest was history as they say...

Frank

I had similar experiance with Basic D&D when I was asked to play.

'You want me to what now?'.

But I never looked back since... It's of the hardest things to describe to someone but yet it's piss easy to do once you get over the initial concept.

Quote from: Omega;972018System26 Metamorphosis Alpha: I picked it up with low expectations. But overall it wasnt bad really. The main problem is a nigh total lack of background or maps.

A campaign supplement with maps and expanded background of the Warden is planned for this.
The game is not bad.