Ok, so s long story short. I have just stumbled across Dungeon World after finding out about this community and after backing Vincent Baker’s Apocalypse World 2nd edition. Had heard of PbtA through friends, but never really took the time to give it a try. Until now, and oh man what I realized I’ve been missing out. Can you recommend any other game based on the PbtA engine, that has a high production value and is easy to read and get started with?
Ok, so s long story short.
Ok, so s long story short.
I have heard Urban Shadows recommend repeatedly as the PbtA game that does the best job explaining how the system works and how to use it.
I have heard Urban Shadows recommend repeatedly as the PbtA game that does the best job explaining how the system works and how to use it.
Matt Bohnhoff Thanks, will check it out for sure!
Matt Bohnhoff Thanks, will check it out for sure!
MonsterHearts and Sagas of the Icelanders are both amazing and very diverse experiences
MonsterHearts and Sagas of the Icelanders are both amazing and very diverse experiences
Masks is quite good too, young super heroes.
Masks is quite good too, young super heroes.
Monsterhearts is amazing, but is a game that you probably want someone to run for you at least once, and you want a group of people you’re comfortable with.
Monsterhearts is amazing, but is a game that you probably want someone to run for you at least once, and you want a group of people you’re comfortable with.
Check out the +1 Forward podcast. Each episode is focused exclusively on looking at a different PbtA game. The host interviews the creator and they do a brief play session. The episodes run around 30 minutes. It’s a fantastic introduction to what is out there in terms of PbtA games. He’s reviewed 17 games so far.
Check out the +1 Forward podcast. Each episode is focused exclusively on looking at a different PbtA game. The host interviews the creator and they do a brief play session. The episodes run around 30 minutes. It’s a fantastic introduction to what is out there in terms of PbtA games. He’s reviewed 17 games so far.
The trick for each of them is to find out what the designer was looking to do — what is the goal of that game? That then helps you figure out how to play the game and make it sing. And each game has a different goal it’s trying to capture. Monsterhearts is trying to capture the confusion and mistakes of teenagers discovering themselves (while also being monsters), Masks is young superheroes trying to figure out their place in the world, but they are easily influenced by others because… young. And so on.
The trick for each of them is to find out what the designer was looking to do — what is the goal of that game? That then helps you figure out how to play the game and make it sing. And each game has a different goal it’s trying to capture. Monsterhearts is trying to capture the confusion and mistakes of teenagers discovering themselves (while also being monsters), Masks is young superheroes trying to figure out their place in the world, but they are easily influenced by others because… young. And so on.
I started with Monster of the Week (Supernatural/Buffy/Dresden). Have had fun with Masks (Young Justice), and looking toward The Fellowship.
Also trying to build my own but my normal group doesn’t have much interest and getting playtests going is hard. The theme being Trapped in the Game World style stories a la Sword Art Online, Tron or Log Horizon
I started with Monster of the Week (Supernatural/Buffy/Dresden). Have had fun with Masks (Young Justice), and looking toward The Fellowship.
Also trying to build my own but my normal group doesn’t have much interest and getting playtests going is hard. The theme being Trapped in the Game World style stories a la Sword Art Online, Tron or Log Horizon
Masks, World Wide Wrestling and Monsterhearts.
Masks, World Wide Wrestling and Monsterhearts.
(and The Sprawl)
(and The Sprawl)
Headspace is a good one.
Headspace is a good one.
Christian Svalander why is high production values important?
Christian Svalander why is high production values important?
High production values generally mean a product is easier to navigate, understand and read. A bunch of white text with no color or art gets fatiguing.
High production values generally mean a product is easier to navigate, understand and read. A bunch of white text with no color or art gets fatiguing.
Number one book for me in terms of getting people to grok PbtA well enough to run them is Urban Shadows. It explains all steps pretty solidly and has an advantage of not being early PbtA in terms of gm theory. Masks has similarly awesome explanations, but I think is a little less in depth with general things.
Number one book for me in terms of getting people to grok PbtA well enough to run them is Urban Shadows. It explains all steps pretty solidly and has an advantage of not being early PbtA in terms of gm theory. Masks has similarly awesome explanations, but I think is a little less in depth with general things.
I’ve heard that Urban Shadows is good, but not as easy to one-shot or play without pretty involved players. DW, Spirit of 77, AW, and the Sprawl are the ones I hear about most.
I’ve heard that Urban Shadows is good, but not as easy to one-shot or play without pretty involved players. DW, Spirit of 77, AW, and the Sprawl are the ones I hear about most.
Aha, cool! Thanks, will check it out!
Aha, cool! Thanks, will check it out!
Thanks for all great tips!
Thanks for all great tips!
Christian Svalander Monsterhearts. And I know how you feel, was in the same position few years back. Even if monsterhearts premise seems like something unappealing – try it out.
Christian Svalander Monsterhearts. And I know how you feel, was in the same position few years back. Even if monsterhearts premise seems like something unappealing – try it out.
Chris Shorb Late answer, sorry. Its for a friend 🙂
Chris Shorb Late answer, sorry. Its for a friend 🙂