Yesterday, Doyle ran Call of Cthulhu for us using the Delta Green setting. Listeners of the podcast will know that the premise of our show is more or less an exploration of how deeply we dislike Call of Cthulhu, and so it may seem odd we found ourselves playing it this week.
With that said, it was definitely fun, but that fun had almost nothing to do with the mechanics of Call of Cthulhu. Doyle is a good GM, and the story being told was an interesting one, but whenever we rolled the dice, it felt like we were doing so out of some sort of ritual obligation. Because whenever Task X needed to happen, at least one of us at the table had a high enough skill to pass the check to ensure it happened. In other words, no matter what, we were progressing along in the story. There is another game that does that same thing, but in a much cleaner and more satisfying way: Cthulhu Dark.
But like I said, the story was pretty good, and it was an interesting change of pace to engage in a detailed, forensic-style investigation, which is something we don’t often do in The Gauntlet. Doyle expressed some disappointment that the experience wasn’t scarier, but I would argue that that’s almost impossible to achieve with six players at the table.
Thanks to Doyle Tavener for running the game, and to everyone else for coming out: Daniel Lewis Steve Mains Ferrell Riley Jeff Burke and Hunter!
I am banning any further images of my forehead from The Gauntlet
I am banning any further images of my forehead from The Gauntlet
Have any of you tried Tremulus?
Have any of you tried Tremulus?
Tim Jensen Not yet. I have the book, but I haven’t had a chance to get it to the table. We have tried Black Stars Rise, but we weren’t big fans of that one (in its current state, at least).
Tim Jensen Not yet. I have the book, but I haven’t had a chance to get it to the table. We have tried Black Stars Rise, but we weren’t big fans of that one (in its current state, at least).
Based on a read-through, not terribly optimistic about tremulus, though its Durance-esque town creation rules look cool. We’ve sort of avoided it so far. Tim Jensen , do you have any experience with it? How’s it play?
Based on a read-through, not terribly optimistic about tremulus, though its Durance-esque town creation rules look cool. We’ve sort of avoided it so far. Tim Jensen , do you have any experience with it? How’s it play?
My Friday group is starting it this week. We’ve played most of the other AW games as campaigns, so I’ll see how it compares.
My Friday group is starting it this week. We’ve played most of the other AW games as campaigns, so I’ll see how it compares.
Tim Jensen Steve is right. We haven’t been actively avoiding it, but it doesn’t have any champions in our FTF groups. I’d like to play it at some point. Let us know how it goes!
Tim Jensen Steve is right. We haven’t been actively avoiding it, but it doesn’t have any champions in our FTF groups. I’d like to play it at some point. Let us know how it goes!
Absolutely. It’s one of the few games where I’m pretty sure I know how I’ll end up feeling about it, but still have to play to be certain. I’m especially curious about the aforementioned town creation mechanic and the poke around move.
Absolutely. It’s one of the few games where I’m pretty sure I know how I’ll end up feeling about it, but still have to play to be certain. I’m especially curious about the aforementioned town creation mechanic and the poke around move.