Last night was the beginning of a new season of Monsterhearts. This game always delivers, and I just love it. Our story takes place in and around Waxahachie High School in the early 1980’s. Our characters are:
-Levi, the Werewolf; varsity quarterback for the Waxahachie Whales (“Blow their holes!”) and all-around douche-bro.
-Ophelia, the Infernal; juicer and roller derby queen, enthralled by a demon who looks like Tawny Kitaen.
-Ping, the Fae; a fabulous Chinese-American fairy boy and
-Vanessa, the Witch; overweight, horribly bullied, and out for revenge.
The first session was a lot of set-up and making the homeroom seating chart, but we had some time to follow the kids around for a day. I’ll spare you the gory details, but know that this one was in pretty awful taste (it was sort of like a National Lampoon’s movie with devil-worshippers).
The final scene took place at the roller derby match between the Waxahachie Wicked Sisters and the Waco Wrecking Balls. And it had everything: kids screwing behind the bleachers; things happening to crosses that would make Linda Blair blush; and a homeless Vietnam vet clubbing one of the characters with a tire iron.
I can’t wait to see what happens next! Thanks to Rob Ferguson Daniel Fowler Daniel Lewis and Ferrell Riley
I have been interested in checking this game after hearing so many great thing about it (and consistently plan to buy it but don’t) but after reading the Twilight books on the recommendation of my wife, I’m more then a bit gun shy. I have been told that this is nothing like that in actual play. What is the real lowdown? Would someone in deep hatred of the Twilight franchise find this material interesting and fun?
I have been interested in checking this game after hearing so many great thing about it (and consistently plan to buy it but don’t) but after reading the Twilight books on the recommendation of my wife, I’m more then a bit gun shy. I have been told that this is nothing like that in actual play. What is the real lowdown? Would someone in deep hatred of the Twilight franchise find this material interesting and fun?
Sean Smith As written, you can definitely play it like Twilight if that’s what you want, but it’s a lot more subversive than that. The better explanation for the game is that it is a metaphor for the life of a teenager. The fact that the characters are monsters is supposed to reflect that teenagers are in an awkward phase of their lives, where they have little control over their bodies and behavior.
Sean Smith As written, you can definitely play it like Twilight if that’s what you want, but it’s a lot more subversive than that. The better explanation for the game is that it is a metaphor for the life of a teenager. The fact that the characters are monsters is supposed to reflect that teenagers are in an awkward phase of their lives, where they have little control over their bodies and behavior.
This matches more-or-less what I am typically told. I will purchase it though I have my doubts as to how well it will be received by my gaming group. I would have to distance it as far from the Twilight material as possible I think. Of course, since 3 of my players are teenagers (my children) it doesn’t seem like this one would be much of a stretch lol.
This matches more-or-less what I am typically told. I will purchase it though I have my doubts as to how well it will be received by my gaming group. I would have to distance it as far from the Twilight material as possible I think. Of course, since 3 of my players are teenagers (my children) it doesn’t seem like this one would be much of a stretch lol.
Sean Smith You may want to bear in mind the game is extremely R-rated, depending on how sensitive your group is.
Sean Smith You may want to bear in mind the game is extremely R-rated, depending on how sensitive your group is.
I’ll just have to read through the material and make a judgement call. R material is fine for the most part though. I’m sure they see worse on TV 🙂
I’ll just have to read through the material and make a judgement call. R material is fine for the most part though. I’m sure they see worse on TV 🙂
characters can and do have sex with each other. this is awkward enough (for me) with friends. I would be a little weirded out if my kids / other peoples kids were involved.
characters can and do have sex with each other. this is awkward enough (for me) with friends. I would be a little weirded out if my kids / other peoples kids were involved.
not that I have kids, and everyone is different. however I wouldn’t consider myself a prude and it was a little weird (and fun)
not that I have kids, and everyone is different. however I wouldn’t consider myself a prude and it was a little weird (and fun)
Ah, I could see that being a little rough to say the least. Not the content so much as the RP element.
Ah, I could see that being a little rough to say the least. Not the content so much as the RP element.
Sean Smith and Daniel Fowler Well, in fairness to the game, the sex stuff should happen off screen. The characters just deal with the aftermath.
Sean Smith and Daniel Fowler Well, in fairness to the game, the sex stuff should happen off screen. The characters just deal with the aftermath.
Oh, well that is much more reasonable.
Oh, well that is much more reasonable.