Game Geeks #80 Basic Roleplaying by Chaosium Inc.

[cockroach2]

Kurt finds math hard? I thought he said in the Traveller review that he had a Phd in engineering.

[aksquash]

I love this system but my god trying to get ANYONE to play is like pulling teeth. You'd think with a game like CoC behind it this system would have people sold, but no. I can't get interest in any game. Probably just me.

[goldgrif]

@aksquash So much truth, the Only, from what I know, unchanged system from the old days, because it is simple, adaptable, and can do anything, way before the d20 craze was a very good universal system. I have started CoC games that evolved into modern horror,modern urban fantasy etc.

[Sevenkilts]

You sold this for me along side your Call of Cthulhu review - I now own both and love them. I've only managed to run three or four sessions, with university starting up it's hard, but I am definitely planning more once we're all used to the new schedule.

Thank you so much! It's amazing.

[RealNemo235]

I'm also a huge Call of Cthulhu fan and so was looking forward to this.

I was a bit let down that they seperated the power catagories. Too confusing.

I know they are based on the other games they have (or had), but wish they would have kept them all together based on Superworld.

Overall the system is simple and fun though.

[yellowsign13]

Basing Roleplaying and the 'Worlds of Wonder' was my very first gaming experience back in the early/mid 80s. It was my Dad's favorite, and he guided me to it, instead of D&D like most people got their start with. I'm just as glad.

[pspboy7]

Just got this book from Amazon. Really looking forward to make some settings and stuff. I have GURPS as well, but find GURPS a little too crunchy for my tastes.

[pspboy7]

This game actually looks interesting and easyo grasp. I downloaded the quick start rules the other day and it really stuck with me.

[guitardbucket]

This is the next game I'm getting.

[gamemasterme]

BRP is fun. I love percentile systems. I don't like the combat system. Too ambiguous. Just a simple grid movement system would have been nice. Instead they leave it up to the player to invent one. Perhaps they should produce an add-on with some combat detail. Just a little detail. Instead they treat maps and movement grids as an option. Not in any RPGs I run or play. Just my opinion. BTW, I own the game. Nice video - well done.

[goldgrif]

@gamemasterme I like the rq3 system or the superworld

[knightoffrost]

I'm really grooving on BRP right now. Thanks.

[MoyashiMaru]

After reading about the passing of Dave Arneson, I got the itch to run an RPG session again, something I hadn't done since Bill Clinton's first term. As all of my books are years and miles away, I thought I'd try 4Ed. Then I saw 4Ed and changed my mind. I then remembered my old RQ 2Ed., WikiGoogled a bit and came across BRP. My copy should arrive tomorrow, a purchase which is at least in part due to KW's enthusiastic review. Keep up the good work.

[psycofloyd]

Ugh, how I wish I could find a decent D&D group via the internet.

[BadHobbid]

Playing Pathfinder right now, but after viewing this I ordered the book.

Hopefully my players also want to try out a new system from time to time...

[michaelnorth23]

Kurt is a genius yo!

[nutherefurlong]

Do all the switches have the same ease of teaching/learning?

[bludeborne]

@nutherefurlong meeeh not really if they are all on, plus if they ARE all on it can make the game hard from what i have read

[nutherefurlong]

I figure if they were all on it would be hard to manage relative power levels (if that's a goal at all). Usually matching power levels helps with more than keeping players from being jealous of each other, it also makes it a bit easier on the GM to adjudicate :)

[killoutloud]

Decent review, but I can´t understand why, of all the BRP systems out there, he does not mention Runequest, when it was in fact the game that had the first incarnation of BRP in it. While I understand the draw of CoC, it´s one of the weakest BRP games, as far as its system is concerned, so leaving Runequest aside for CoC is a big oversight in my opinion.

[venusboys3]

Maybe bringing up Runequest would be confusing now that it's in the hands of Mongoose... also, these days, COC is probably the more widely known/played game to be referenced when describing BRP.

Besides... a whole lotta folks don't think COC's system is 'weak'.

[Serpentov]

I really miss a more critical approach in your reviews!

[ladycatreece]

Hard to be critical of the best game system ever.

[nemitz71]

brp? please tell me what that means

[swinebread]

Nemitz71 brp means Basic RolePlaying

brp = basic roleplaying

[aderier]

so i saw this review and went and got myself a copy. i love it! i gotta say i have watched a lot of these reviews...maybe all of them, and this is the first one i did not already have that i got very interested about...so thanks kurt!!!

[MoltenPlastic]

The Vitruvian man on that cover is just too awesome for words!

And the game looks great too.

[acm4bass]

the most temmpting review thus far, as actually motivating a purchase. But you cant go wrong with the have it your way slogan.

[pugknowspro]

Kurt may not have a copy of Warhammer in his collection, I know my copy is long gone, I used to play Warhammer and 40K every week along with Space Marines, Blood Bowl and Titans. But with the fire, moving and kids it seams to all be gone. Thankfully I still have my Melee, Wizards and Fantasy Trip stuff.

The reason the shows are short is totally my fault, It's all about time.

Rob

[aieken2007]

Can you review Shadowrun 4th edition?

[aikighost]

How about Warhammer Fantasy Role play 2nd edition? Its current and its also awesome. In fact if curt is such a fan of BRP (as I am) I cant see how he could have possibly missed such a great fantasy game as WFRP.

[Tboysupreme]

Amen Brother!

[unquietsoul]

Perhaps because the company stopped publishing their roleplaying line after the last book (Dark Heresy) came out, in order to publish more Warhammer fiction and their online game instead. Dead games make poor review choices.

[makarok]

WHFRP isn't dead - Fantasy Flight picked it up (although they haven't done anything much yet)

[W4RW017]

Saw this down at my local store. I've been kinda tempted to try out some one-night adventures using some others gameworlds and using this book would be a nice way to just have some rules to use in-case.

[Sythorn10]

Another great review. Like one of the posters below me, I'd also love it if you could review Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay or Dark Heresy, and perhaps Castles & Crusades as well. Nah, I'm not demanding or anything....*whip crack*

[vinomaniac]

What about layout, writing calibre, artwork, editing and player versus gamemaster details? Can we get more meat in the reviews? I like them, but I still find they lack some of those elements. Thanks!

[Odexian]

Good job guys, still enjoying the show. Also, still humbly requesting Warhammer Fantasy or Dark Heresy.

[pugknowspro]

we wish!

Rob

Producer

[greenghost2008]

you should get paid for this. If you already are paid for this. cool job.

[mjdurall]

As the primary writer on the book, I extend my thanks for such a favorable and balanced review!

And yeah, it did take too long. So many problems arose during the writing that it could fill a full chapter.

[mysterycycle]

Dang, that's a huge-looking book! Given that the last published version of Basic RolePlaying was a slim folio costing about $3, I'm guessing that there's a LOT of those "switches" detailed in there...

Thanks for the review!

[aikighost]

Yep it covers kit from all eras and about 5 different types of "Powers", IE: magic, mutations, sorcery, Superpowers and Psychic Abilities.

[aieken2007]

Can you review Shadowrun 4th edition?

[lordmonfort]

Gotta get me one of those! Anything that allows for a multitude of genres is awesome!

[aikighost]

Yep its great stuff. Ive been using CoC rules for years to run Hard Sci fi, Space Opera (BRP is what I use to run Fading Suns for example) Urban and dark Fantasy. Now I have the complete BRP come I just cant wait for all the new planned settings to come out.

Maybe you could look at some of the BRP setting compliments that come out?

[ManaJunkie]

Danke Kurt! I too have been waiting for this game system for years! :)

[ConayR]

Thanks, great review. :) What I don't like about the book (based on your review) is the overall unnecessary complexity with 3 levels of skills and what not. This is, as you said, pretty ancient approach. I'm still going to get it since I like modular games. Thanks!

[highpriestrsw2]

I passed over a copy of BRP @ my FLGS a few weeks ago and after this review I'm going to go snatch it up! I wasn't sure if this was up to par with COC or not but that review pushed me over the edge and now IT MUST BE MINE!

Thanks Kurt for another great review!

I'd like to see a review of Weapons of the Gods!

[zorlak21]

yae