Let us assume, for the sake of this discussion, that Rifts does not fall under the fantasy category.
So, what? Exalted players? SenZar?
Wow. I sat and thought about this for a while. The only thing that comes close, in my mind, would be Judges Guild's "Wilderlands" setting, and even that isn't that close to the utter "wahoo"-ness of Arduin. Bard Games' old "Arcanum" game, especially when coupled with the Atlantean setting, takes on some of Arduin's "feel," but again, it isn't that close. Maybe old-school Gamma World or Metamorphosis Alpha?
Quote from: ColonelHardissonWow. I sat and thought about this for a while.
Tell me about it.
Quote from: Zachary The FirstTell me about it.
Yeah, it's quite a head-scratcher you pose. Arduin is pretty much the
ne plus ultra of wahoo fantasy RPG material. Talislanta and Jorune are pretty alien setting-wise, but Arduin just has an audacity to it, an "are you fucking
kidding me?" atmosphere that doesn't seem contrived for some author's "greater purpose" beyond playing a game.
AD&D1e was pretty close. I mean, there was a lot of sci fi stuff in there if you looked. Fiend Folio especially had some crazed weirdness.
I'd say HackMaster strays into Arduin territory, especially in the Hacklopedias.
How about TORG?
Well--the dungeons, too. Hargrave didn't have much use for ecology or rationalization or whatnot in his dungeons. There was a rigorous intricacy of some kind going on, but I don't think it was tuned to anything other than his voraciously inclusive imagination.
edit-- Torg is a great, weird kitchen sink rationalization, but it's a Republican convention next to Arduin.
In many ways, Forgotten Realms is as much or more of a kitchen sink than Arduin. You just don't notice as much because of the Elmore art.
Quote from: Zachary The FirstLet us assume, for the sake of this discussion, that Rifts does not fall under the fantasy category.
So, what? Exalted players? SenZar?
I'll submit the Lost City of Revead from Dreamwalker. It's a "fixed" dream island with fantasy trappings that encompasses pretty much any genre. It's included in the free Dreamwalker Revised PDF (in my sig) in case you want to check it out.
Pete
Well by kitchen-sink if one means inconsistent...Eberron not only takes the cake but enjoys eating it as well.
Regards,
David R
Folks, aren't we forgetting something?
World of Synnibarr. All the crack-inspired madness of Arduin, inside a giant asteroid, plus flying bears which shoot lasers out of their eyes.
I never owned it, but from browse throughs back in the day, Synnibar seemed pretty wacky.
Yeah--
Those bears--at least three varieties, IIRC--would've been right at home in Arduin.
Big polar ones, carrying Valkyrie cyborgs with chainswords and eyepatches . . .
Why do I suddenly want a drink?
Palladium Fantasy comes pretty close.