I trekked out to 8th Dimension Comics & Games for Small Business Saturday. I got 25% off Numenera and Fiasco, plus a free t-shirt. It was the first time I’d been to that store. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
I trekked out to 8th Dimension Comics & Games for Small Business Saturday.
I trekked out to 8th Dimension Comics & Games for Small Business Saturday.
Both great games of course. Numenera is a really lovely book in overall quality too. I highly regret not getting on on that kickstarter.
Both great games of course. Numenera is a really lovely book in overall quality too. I highly regret not getting on on that kickstarter.
I’m quite fond of 8th Dimension. They’re not quite in Dragon’s Lair’s league (yet), but they’re far and away the best brick and mortar store in the Houston area. I just wish they weren’t an hour from my house.
I’m quite fond of 8th Dimension. They’re not quite in Dragon’s Lair’s league (yet), but they’re far and away the best brick and mortar store in the Houston area. I just wish they weren’t an hour from my house.
Sean Smith I picked up Fiasco as a gift for my sister, who is hooked on the game. As for Numenera, well, I’m not sold on it yet, but I figure I at least owe the game a read and play before I cast judgment. Worst-case scenario: I have a book with terrific art and setting material.
Sean Smith I picked up Fiasco as a gift for my sister, who is hooked on the game. As for Numenera, well, I’m not sold on it yet, but I figure I at least owe the game a read and play before I cast judgment. Worst-case scenario: I have a book with terrific art and setting material.
I’ve read most of Numenera. Agreed it’s got some great art. The setting? I think it’s kind of blah. I’m more impressed with the game mechanics.
I’ve read most of Numenera. Agreed it’s got some great art. The setting? I think it’s kind of blah. I’m more impressed with the game mechanics.
Mark Chance What do you like about the game mechanics? I must admit I know very little so far (my skepticism comes purely from the fact I think games with big books and great art usually have something they’re trying to hide, gameplay-wise).
Mark Chance What do you like about the game mechanics? I must admit I know very little so far (my skepticism comes purely from the fact I think games with big books and great art usually have something they’re trying to hide, gameplay-wise).
They’re simple and flexible. Three ability scores. Three character classes. Lots of customization options, including a DIY skill system that doesn’t actually include a list of skills.
They’re simple and flexible. Three ability scores. Three character classes. Lots of customization options, including a DIY skill system that doesn’t actually include a list of skills.
Mark Chance Cool. What did you find lacking about the setting?
Mark Chance Cool. What did you find lacking about the setting?
Not so much lacking as it’s just way too much like everything and the kitchen sink too. It’s, I feel, a great example of what I don’t like about Monte Cook’s work.
In the final wash, I just don’t buy the setting. Millions of years of ultra-tech laying around all over the place, and yet there is a dark-ages-esque regression combined with high pseudo-medieval culture combined with postmodern 21st-century sexual ethics combined with widespread chattel slavery, ad nauseum?
It reminds me of why Monte Cook’s Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil was instrumental in getting me to finally quit the playing the d20 System almost entirely.
Not so much lacking as it’s just way too much like everything and the kitchen sink too. It’s, I feel, a great example of what I don’t like about Monte Cook’s work.
In the final wash, I just don’t buy the setting. Millions of years of ultra-tech laying around all over the place, and yet there is a dark-ages-esque regression combined with high pseudo-medieval culture combined with postmodern 21st-century sexual ethics combined with widespread chattel slavery, ad nauseum?
It reminds me of why Monte Cook’s Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil was instrumental in getting me to finally quit the playing the d20 System almost entirely.
Mark Chance I can definitely understand that sentiment. As a more indie-inclined player, one of the things that bothers me about the big, traddy games is it seems like the publishers try to provide “value” by cramming in a ton of setting (the most notorious, to my mind, being the WoD games).
I will start giving it a read-through later next month and report back on this thread with my thoughts.
Mark Chance I can definitely understand that sentiment. As a more indie-inclined player, one of the things that bothers me about the big, traddy games is it seems like the publishers try to provide “value” by cramming in a ton of setting (the most notorious, to my mind, being the WoD games).
I will start giving it a read-through later next month and report back on this thread with my thoughts.
I have to agree about Numenera. I remember one review claiming “it (Numenera) breaks all the fantasy tropes”, when in truth, the setting is nothing but tropes. It doesn’t have any break-out NPCs or groups to give it individuality yet. The strength of Numenera is the game mechanics, which aren’t that far off from Fate, at least where designing characters is concerned.
I have to agree about Numenera. I remember one review claiming “it (Numenera) breaks all the fantasy tropes”, when in truth, the setting is nothing but tropes. It doesn’t have any break-out NPCs or groups to give it individuality yet. The strength of Numenera is the game mechanics, which aren’t that far off from Fate, at least where designing characters is concerned.
William James Cuffe and Mark Chance I must sadly admit I’m not that impressed with Numenera so far. The setting material seems to be a bit over-the-top. And, as Rob Ferguson pointed out to me yesterday, the three classes are just fighter, wizard, and thief (but with different names for things).
Mechanically, it seems serviceable, but I routinely (read: three or four times a week) play games that push the boundaries with what can be done in an RPG. This seems nice, but it’s not blowing my mind or anything.
All in all, my quick assessment is this is yet another one of those games that people will buy (drawn in by the production value) and never actually play. It even happens to me sometimes 🙂
William James Cuffe and Mark Chance I must sadly admit I’m not that impressed with Numenera so far. The setting material seems to be a bit over-the-top. And, as Rob Ferguson pointed out to me yesterday, the three classes are just fighter, wizard, and thief (but with different names for things).
Mechanically, it seems serviceable, but I routinely (read: three or four times a week) play games that push the boundaries with what can be done in an RPG. This seems nice, but it’s not blowing my mind or anything.
All in all, my quick assessment is this is yet another one of those games that people will buy (drawn in by the production value) and never actually play. It even happens to me sometimes 🙂
All of the above said, I will give it a play through at some point. I don’t normally like rendering any sort of judgment until I’ve played a game a couple of times.
All of the above said, I will give it a play through at some point. I don’t normally like rendering any sort of judgment until I’ve played a game a couple of times.