[RPG]: HARP: High Adventure Role Playing, reviewed by Samurai (3/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10005.phtml

Samurai's Summary:

HARP is a new game from ICE, based in part on Rolemaster. Although not perfect, it is definitely more streamlined and easier to use, and it will hopefully become the flagship title for the new ICE.

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2004-01-09 11:16:16
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I am still mulling over the copy I got a couple weeks ago. Hopefully I will have my spin on HARP then, but it is great to see other people liking it as much I do!

--Wes

Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2004-01-09 12:10:22
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After reading your review I reread the spell casting section in HARP again because I was a little confused from your review.

I think when you state there is a minimum rank for spells before casting is a little off. There does not appear to be a rank minimum for castign spells, however I think what you may have been trying to convey is that when scaling spells and armor penalties are applied the spells get much tougher to cast.

As well given the % system it is much better to have a high skill rank to guarantee casting especially when using attack and elemental spells. Doubly so when doing any scaling to them.

In all honesty this si the first ICE product where I have seen spell casters, especially low level ones, get a very good start at low levels. In my RM campaigns it was always dreadful playing a mage type because it was a tought road to how till about 5th level or so...especially in groups that calaculated experience points on an individual basis and not a group basis.

Cheers,
Wes

Post originally by Steve at 2004-01-09 13:17:38
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I think what the reviewer was getting at with the point about the minimum number of skill ranks for a spell is that you need to have as many skill ranks as power points used in casting the spell. So if the spell has a minimum, or "base", cost of twelve power points then a caster would need twelve ranks in the spell just to cast the basic version with no scaling up.

Post originally by Rasyr at 2004-01-09 14:07:17
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I think he is talking about the caster needing as many skill ranks in the spell as power points he is putting into it to be able to cast it.

Considering that the spells do not have levels of any sort, I think that this is a good thing.

Post originally by Rasyr at 2004-01-09 14:08:04
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I am very glad that you like it so much!!

Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2004-01-09 14:53:53
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I would think the scaling of the spells does a good job at limiting the casting, but using ranks as a limitation is a solid mechanic too.

Personally I like the idea of over casting, but can not recall at this second if that is an option in HARP.

--Wes

Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2004-01-09 14:55:09
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It is the best thing to come out of ICE in a while.

Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2004-01-09 14:56:30
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That makes sense and a good mechanic. I am still reading through my copy of HARP and it loosk like a reread of the magic section is in order.

Post originally by grubman at 2004-01-09 15:10:27
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Sorry..couldn't resist

Nice review. I've been hopeing another one would come up soon to hit on some of the (good) points I missed (like spell scaling and the Drunkards rule). Actually sounds like we agree on most points.

Of course that means you should never take a glance at the ICE forum, where even now they may be ripping you a new one. I think one guy suggesting "just kill this guy" after I wrote my review.