PDF version

Chapters:

1: Characters
2: Starships
3: Basic Task Resolution
4: Advanced Task Resolution
5: The Cosmos
6: Expanding the Game
7: Scenarios

Reference sheets
Character Sheet
Template Characters
Disposable Dice
Star Map


HardNova 2 is a Sci-Fi rpg for those who are looking for simple rules that don't get in the way of role playing  but provide a means of easily resolving conflicts.

Character creation is quick and simple (I'm sure you see a pattern here). First you pick a species, then assign 12 points to abilities, 30 points to skills, pick gimmicks (if any are allowed), and determine starting credits. There are seven species ranging from human & ape like to inscectoids and AI. The species included give chacters a good variety of choices and most of them have very nice roleplaying possibilities. The system uses five abilities fitness, awareness,creativity,reasoning,and influence. There are point based and random systems for determining starting abilites. Skills are selcted from the standard sci-fi list found in many games. Gimmicks cand be either possitive or negative. Some gimmicks come as a part of the species you select, but with GM approval you can trade one ability point for a gimmick or take a detrimental gimmick for one ability point or 3 skill points. Starting credit a determined via random die roll.

The Genre Diversion system resolves taskes by adding your skill to your ability and then rolling 2d6. If you roll under the skill and ability total ,with all penalties and bonuses,you succeed.  Combat is resolve in a similar way, both combatants roll fitness plus the skill for the attack or defence type they are using. Whoever make their roll by the largest margin wins. Damage is tracked using a wound level system. Hard][Nova as includes ship combat rules that are very similar to the regular comaba rules. I really like the system because it is simple and just fades into the background of the game but still provides a balanced resolution.

Thes setting in Hard][Nova is very much of the implied type. While there is some explanation of the setting in descriptions of the species there are only two pages dedicated to the setting. I don't look at this as a short comming because it is clear that the game was intended to be generic. The setting that is there does give GMs a good starting point so that you don't have to come with a setting from scratch. Included in the back of the book are four adventure outlines which have stated ships,NPCs, and more setting info. These scenarios make for great leaping on point for people new to the game and can easily be linked together to form a mini campaign.

The book has outstanding layout and writting overall. The graphics and fonts all add to the sci-fi feel of the game. There is little art in the book but the little bit that is there suites the theme of the game. The text flows cleanly through out the book making it easy to read. It does have a few to many blank spaces on some the page but it as minor issue. The rules are written clearly and for the first time in quite a while I did not have any rules questions after reading through an RPG I was not familiar with.

In conclusion HardNova 2 at $4 gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It's complete game that can easly support  multiple campaigns and do it well.

Nice review!  I love HardNova ][--it's a great game that outshines a lot of RPGs costing 15 or 20 dollars more.

I've been looking for a simple SFRPG for ages, since I don't have the time to be reading huge tomes full of intricately overdone rules.Another good thing about this RPG is the lack of a background in the rulesbook, which gives me the space to write my own little background universe (always a lot of fun!).Thanks for the review it gave me enough information to actually tip the balance and make me order a copy of the game:).

Thanks, I don't think you will be disapointed.

Quote from: McrowThanks, I don't think you will be disapointed.

If I am disappointed you will be the first to know, since it was your review that made me want to obtain a copy of the game!
However, I've been looking for a cheap and cheerful SF RPG with simple rules to run at short notice. This seems to be Hardnova. I'll let you know how I feel about the thing when I've read through the rules and mentally digested them.

Hard Nova ][ is an awesome game, and it should probably fit your bill perfectly, Anthrobot! The system is light, easy to pick up, and flexible as as a fishing rod.

Enjoy!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceHard Nova ][ is an awesome game, and it should probably fit your bill perfectly, Anthrobot! The system is light, easy to pick up, and flexible as as a fishing rod.

Enjoy!

-clash

My copy arrived this morning:D . After a preliminary perusal I was impressed. I've really got to spare some time to get down to reading all of it, which will be a pleasure, I think.