tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post5651733123544048996..comments2020-05-11T19:30:14.785-07:00Comments on Above 49: Those Other Indie GamesNels Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06484436433023780229noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-76269812417730557522011-05-11T09:40:30.303-07:002011-05-11T09:40:30.303-07:00@abunnell Interesting, I'd never heard of Pola...@abunnell Interesting, I'd never heard of <i>Polaris.</i> I'll have to check that out, thanks! While <i>Riddle of Steel</i> sounds good and crunchy, it was the mechanical overhead that caused us to walk away from 4E. It's quite good for what it is, IMHO, but what it is wasn't what we wanted. Rather than try to square peg, round hole it, we just went looking elsewhere and found great riches.<br /><br />Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll mention <i>Polaris</i> to the krewe!Nels Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06484436433023780229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-57178125727580114482011-05-09T06:09:13.587-07:002011-05-09T06:09:13.587-07:00I am a huge fan of board games and tabletop RPGs. ...I am a huge fan of board games and tabletop RPGs. After your post about BSG, I am definitely going to pick that one up!<br /><br />I have played several indie tabletop games in the last few years. Disillusionment with the slick corporatization of D&D 4th edition caused my friends and I to branch out. Among the best we have played is a game called Polaris. It is an improv game where the mechanics are entirely conversation-based. It works best when the players are actively trying to destroy one another, and everyone's character is doomed to either death or corruption from the start- so you don't fault the other players' diabolical designs.<br /><br />Another good one is called The Riddle of Steel. It features incredibly realistic (but mechanically cumbersome) combat. It makes for a much more gritty feel. Characters really think twice about getting into any kind of sword fight, as it might be their last. It's nice to give violence and combat the kind of weight they deserve. Of course, it is definitely one of the "behemoths" plagued by massive rulebooks and many, many tables so I'm not sure how appropriate it is in this context.<br /><br />This Dread game sounds awesome, and I'm already planning on bringing it up at our next session!Adam Bunnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09324086692196574091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-64418323743677422692011-05-07T12:38:06.030-07:002011-05-07T12:38:06.030-07:00@Gaming in Public As a mention below, there are so...@Gaming in Public As a mention below, there are some games that kind of a bridge between board games and tabletop RPGs. <i>Mansions of Madness</i> would be something I'd recommend to anyone curious about tabletop RPGs but not comfortable immediately jumping into the deep end.<br /><br />@Jason T Heh, one of my buddies got his wife into tabletop RPGs via <i>Call of Cthulhu</i>. People may say they don't like horror, but I think deep down everyone does. The <i>Dread/Jenga</i> works well possibly because the tower serves as a physical reflection of the dramatic tension in the game. Mechanically, one could probably replicate it with dice or something, but I honestly think it wouldn't have the same effect anymore. The tangible, present representation of building toward inevitability is just too good.<br /><br />@Paul Oooh, interesting. We just tried <i>Mansions of Madness</i> last weekend and it was pretty interesting. Halfway between <i>Arkham Horror</i> and <i>CoC</i>. I'll see if I can't find a copy of <i>Earth Reborn</i> to check out.Nels Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06484436433023780229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-37444396151601042392011-05-05T20:58:19.760-07:002011-05-05T20:58:19.760-07:00I've been carrying a torch for Earth Reborn la...I've been carrying a torch for Earth Reborn lately and I think it would be right up your alley. Read up on it over at BGG. I also blogged about it a short while ago ;) I think you'd be surprised at how much it can feel like a GM'less RP and how many possibilities are contained in what looks like a skirmish game at first. <br /><br />You might want to also check out the Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardolon co-ops if you haven't already.Paul Baumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05395430748553679591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-47785938409968770872011-05-05T18:47:23.823-07:002011-05-05T18:47:23.823-07:00Dread was the game that suckered my girlfriend int...<i>Dread</i> was the game that suckered my girlfriend into letting me run an RPG for her. I was a little surprised, as she's very much not a fan of horror, but she absolutely loves Jenga. I think the physical trappings of games have more of an impact on how willing people are to approach them than many gamers and developers might like to admit ... but I guess the Wiimote/Wii Fit, the DDR pad, and the Guitar Hero controller have probably pretty well demonstrated that by now.Jason Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17652211402639394877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542773327630613295.post-84162161901829539792011-05-05T14:42:24.195-07:002011-05-05T14:42:24.195-07:00I have never gotten into tabletop RPGs, but I can&...I have never gotten into tabletop RPGs, but I can't say no to a Jenga tower. My network of friends are mainly into video games, we have done board games but things less abstract like Settlers of Catan, or Dominion. <br /><br />I guess I am not creative enough and favor a more structured table experience like Magic the Gathering.Jacob Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15330616929971450515noreply@blogger.com