Monday, August 10, 2015

Trying Different Systems or Thinning Out the Experience

I have been in a mood lately where I want to experiment with different systems.  Most notable system I've been discussing lately has been Dragon Age.  And with that the AGE system in general.  I've also been toying with sci-fi settings and adventures.  There are a few systems available out there now that I could use, but I've been using a basic system so far.  If I got serious enough about it I would use White Star.  Or Stars Without Numbers which I've never had the chance to play.  The only sci-fi game I was in was a Traveller game where I had the most useless character for the mission and my job was to pretty much stay out of the way.  So that was fun. 

The other system I've been toy with is Pathfinder.   I don't see myself running a game of it.  There are too many do-dads for my taste, but there is a lot of good stuff I've been wanting to transform into a system of my own choosing.  I love some of the adventure paths and how they set up the books.  I could see someone in the OSR run with that model.

A few months ago I was running Esoterrorists on Wednesday nights.  I think we enjoyed the GUMSHOE system for that kind of setting.  And with a few copies of Silent Legions in my hands I of course have been tempted to create a few occult adventures set in the backwoods of Pennsylvania.  We've taken a break from it and one of the other guys on Wednesday wants to run a Pits & Perils game.  I haven't had a chance to look at it, but I have heard that it is reminiscent of early 70's rpgs.  He wants to run a one-shot.  I like that we can jump right in and game only knowing a little about system. 

Monday nights we continue on with our D&D 5E game.  Tonight I think we finish our assault on a dragon lair/corrupt elven taig.  My initial liking for 5E has definitely lessened as we continue.

A few weeks back I played in a 4e GURPS game where we delved into an amazing game prop and explored the graveyard of Sanctuary and its first of two levels of under-crypts.  It was a lot of fun and I'm always glad to play in a GURPS game, but I don't think I would want to try to GM a game. 

And I almost forgot that the B-Team has switch gears a bit and last time we played it was Far and Away Land.  I remember having fun, but can't remember any details.

Some of the other systems I've tried throughout the year were Dungeon Crawl Classics, Crypt Masters, Blood & Treasure, Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry Complete and Core

And games I want to try, but haven't had a chance to really get into yet are, Hillfolk, Torchbearer, Dungeon World, Hackmaster and The Strange.

While I enjoy trying out new games, I love nothing more than getting into a committed campaign that may last for a year or longer.  Which we do often.  And one of the reasons why I added some Wednesday nights to play different systems.  Mondays are committed to campaigns.

I admit gaming ADD is something I struggle with at times.  But I like bringing in elements from different systems or someone else's game, into my own game. 

9 comments:

  1. Who are you and what have you done with my friend?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great thoughts, and trying out new games can be a chore sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and yes it can. But a good chore most of the time.

      Delete
  3. It's good to try new games on occasion--it's just hard to find the time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the time component is the big one. It is not like we have elven lifespans.

      Delete
    2. Exactly. Finding that time and the people are a universal puzzle that keeps changing the edges of the pieces.

      Delete