Here’s a fun exercise: Post a game below that is very good at doing ONE THING. Games that are very focused are my newest obsession.
Wushu is extremely good at choreographing intricate fight scenes
Dread is very good at create a tense, dramatic atmosphere
Into the Odd is perfect for creating highly lethal “funhouse” dungeon crawls.
What are some of your favorite focused games? What are they particularly good at?
My Life With Master is very good at making you feel like a piece of shit when it’s over (and I mean that in a good way!)
My Life With Master is very good at making you feel like a piece of shit when it’s over (and I mean that in a good way!)
Is Pendragon too obvious a choice? Or too “traditional”? It does passion plays of Arthurian knights very well.
Is Pendragon too obvious a choice? Or too “traditional”? It does passion plays of Arthurian knights very well.
Pendragon has a very strong theme, but I would argue that it does combat, dialogue, character creation, resolution mechanics, and so on.
But that doesn’t make it particularly “focused”. What do you think? Nothing does character growth and evolution like burning wheel, but it has more rules and mechanics than GURPS (not really…)
Pendragon has a very strong theme, but I would argue that it does combat, dialogue, character creation, resolution mechanics, and so on.
But that doesn’t make it particularly “focused”. What do you think? Nothing does character growth and evolution like burning wheel, but it has more rules and mechanics than GURPS (not really…)
The Final Girl is very good at replicating the narrative beats of a slasher flick.
Along the same lines, Zombie Cinema is very good at the traditional story arc of a zombie movie.
The Final Girl is very good at replicating the narrative beats of a slasher flick.
Along the same lines, Zombie Cinema is very good at the traditional story arc of a zombie movie.
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David Schirduan Oh man, The Burning Wheel…That’s a game I have really complicated feelings about.
David Schirduan Oh man, The Burning Wheel…That’s a game I have really complicated feelings about.
The Mountain Witch is very good at exploring that space between trust and betrayal.
The Mountain Witch is very good at exploring that space between trust and betrayal.
Pinning this post, because I like it so much, haha.
Pinning this post, because I like it so much, haha.
Annalise I thought was very good about that slow building horror when you play it well. I still really enjoy the one session I’ve had of it.
Annalise I thought was very good about that slow building horror when you play it well. I still really enjoy the one session I’ve had of it.
Ferrell Riley It was three sessions, but one story (minor quibble).
Ferrell Riley It was three sessions, but one story (minor quibble).
I would actually say Annalise is very good at telling stories about addiction.
I would actually say Annalise is very good at telling stories about addiction.
David Schirduan , based on your response, I’m not sure I’m following your premise. You don’t seem to be talking about bolt-on subsystems,… I don’t think? Are you talking about heavily streamlined games that focus on only one aspect of play and abstract everything else?
How would you define “focused” here?
David Schirduan , based on your response, I’m not sure I’m following your premise. You don’t seem to be talking about bolt-on subsystems,… I don’t think? Are you talking about heavily streamlined games that focus on only one aspect of play and abstract everything else?
How would you define “focused” here?
Eric H I’m not sure. I wasn’t disputing your entry. Merely wondering what we mean when we say focused.
For example, I COULD use Dread to run a tactical wargame, it just wouldn’t be very good at it. Could I use pendragon to run a super-hero type game? A sci-fi adventure?
I’m mostly just looking to celebrate games that find a niche, a specific goal and accomplish that goal at the expanse of flexibility.
Eric H I’m not sure. I wasn’t disputing your entry. Merely wondering what we mean when we say focused.
For example, I COULD use Dread to run a tactical wargame, it just wouldn’t be very good at it. Could I use pendragon to run a super-hero type game? A sci-fi adventure?
I’m mostly just looking to celebrate games that find a niche, a specific goal and accomplish that goal at the expanse of flexibility.
Shock is very good at examining the possible changes in society that could follow a new technology or realisation.
Shock is very good at examining the possible changes in society that could follow a new technology or realisation.
Dogs in the Vineyard is very good at letting a conflict escalate (edit: don’t know how to use the bold typesetting in G+
Dogs in the Vineyard is very good at letting a conflict escalate (edit: don’t know how to use the bold typesetting in G+