Anyone looking forward to this? I am. It's a long time coming - "Behind Enemy Lines" is the last straight WWII soldier game I remember. Plus Firelock seems like a good, normal company. So the chances of rules for a purple-haired, trans nutter leading the platoon are probably going to be slim.


https://www.firelockgames.com/war-stories-world-war-ii-rpg/

QuoteWar Stories is a roleplaying game using the Year Zero Engine that is set during the Second World War. All the background, rules, and scenario ideas needed to run a game centered around the harrowing exploits and extraordinary adventures of the 101st Airborne paratroopers (or alternatively, the British 6th Airborne) will be included. Play as the valiant heroes who parachuted into Normandy during Operation Overlord in June of 1944. The campaign game will allow players to tell the tale of their intrepid soldier-characters (even non airborne such as resistance fighters or tankers) as they collectively liberate France and drive onward toward victory. Above all, players will be able to create moments of valor and courage, ultimately weaving their personal tales into the fabric of history, from D-Day and beyond. These will be their War Stories.

What's the Cole's notes on the Year Zero system?

Definitely interested.  Honestly my Weird War 2 game was like 60-75% normal war.  Ran a platoon with between 8-25 players from the American landings in Morocco right up to the end of North Africa.  Didn't introduce weird stuff until the Battle of Kasserine Pass.

Quote from: KingCheops on September 09, 2021, 12:33:22 PM
What's the Cole's notes on the Year Zero system?

Definitely interested.  Honestly my Weird War 2 game was like 60-75% normal war.  Ran a platoon with between 8-25 players from the American landings in Morocco right up to the end of North Africa.  Didn't introduce weird stuff until the Battle of Kasserine Pass.

We play Tales From the Loop, which uses the system. It's pretty simple, but I kind of like it. It's just that in that game, because you're playing "kids on bikes in the 80's",violent combat isn't really a big part of it. I think they'll need to tweak that aspect to satisfy a combat game.

It's essentially a dice pool system where you roll d6's and are looking for 6's to succeed. The more the better obviously.

Greetings!

KING STANNIS! How are you my friend?

Do you remember me?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on September 09, 2021, 03:28:10 PM
Greetings!

KING STANNIS! How are you my friend?

Do you remember me?

Semper Fidelis,

Shark

How could anyone forget SHARK?!! Good to see you, man. 😀

Quote from: King_Stannis on September 09, 2021, 11:47:08 AMAnyone looking forward to this? I am. It's a long time coming - "Behind Enemy Lines" is the last straight WWII soldier game I remember. Plus Firelock seems like a good, normal company. So the chances of rules for a purple-haired, trans nutter leading the platoon are probably going to be slim.

There have been a few WW2 RPGs in the intervening years. None that were big hits (although GURPS WW2 had decent sourcebooks).

Quotehttps://www.firelockgames.com/war-stories-world-war-ii-rpg/

I've tried running a WW2 RPG sessions before but never had much success navigating the lethality of the battlefield so I'm curious to see any rule system that can address this.

However, I not thrilled if this game, as it says, is only about Allies post D-Day as that would greatly limit the variety and length of any campaign.


[EDIT] Here's an interview with one of the game designers. I like some of his answers but dislike others. They are dealing with lethality by having a stable of backup characters that players can use if their main PC dies. And the campaign is designed around 6-7 standalone adventures set during the main events the late war in Europe (D-Day, Market Garden, Bulge, etc).

Year Zero seems to be cutting its teeth in the new Twilight2000 thing so the natural fit with WW2 would seem feasible. I hope it works out. Meanwhile I wait for my $360 Firelock Raise the Black kit. Delayed to 1/22.

Quote from: hedgehobbit on September 09, 2021, 07:09:11 PM
[EDIT] Here's an interview with one of the game designers. I like some of his answers but dislike others. They are dealing with lethality by having a stable of backup characters that players can use if their main PC dies. And the campaign is designed around 6-7 standalone adventures set during the main events the late war in Europe (D-Day, Market Garden, Bulge, etc).

Having the stable of characters works out pretty well.  That's what we did.  Certain hardy sons of bitches became legends in the company.

If the rules are robust enough then it'd be relatively easy to adapt it to any other setting/phase.  I mean if they give Shermans or M1's certain stats then we know the technical specifications for a T-34 or a Japanese rifle.  Setting it at different times just requires a bit of research which is fun.

Quote from: King_Stannis on September 09, 2021, 12:43:09 PM
It's essentially a dice pool system where you roll d6's and are looking for 6's to succeed. The more the better obviously.

That's quite familiar for an old Shadowrun hand such as myself.

So, did this get published? Anybody play it?

I used to really not like straight up war RPGs where you all play as soldiers. Where's the player choice? Especially in historical settings? Just seems like a straight dungeon crawl sort of thing with minimal role playing and at that point why not just play a Wargame?

Then someone ran a wonderful game of Only War. The FFG 40k RPG where you play as Imperial Guardsmen. It was brutal. And lots of roleplaying was had as we played lowly infantrymen charging into certain death. So now I want to play some World War 2 RPGs. What would be the best one to try out? Is this one any good? I've ran a game of Operation Whitebox but that's my only experience of WW2 RPGs baring Call of Cthulhu games set during WW2. Which don't count.

Looks like this game came out in March of this year. There are quickstart rules you can download here: https://ik.imagekit.io/firelockgames/DLC/WS-Quickstart-v3_Dqh4qLtVm.pdf

I have to say that the art is really nice.

I have it and it is glorious!

GURPS WWII played it pretty straight, was playable with only the one book, and was well supported.

Gear Krieg and Savage Worlds Weird War had enough material that you could play them straight.  The only time I got to play Gear Krieg was with Shermans verses Panzer IVs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYcVrr3z1CM&ab_channel=6Actual