[RPG]: HERO System Sidekick, reviewed by James Gillen (3/5)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10215.phtml

James Gillen's Summary:

The release of <i>Sidekick</i> allows us to look at the Fifth Edition of HERO System in a new light. Is it really that hard?

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by David at 2004-04-05 07:08:21
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Thanks! I feel like I have a good idea now of how Sidekick differs from the main rules.

I find it a little ironic, though, that a lot of the stuff removed in Sidekick is stuff that was added in 5th Edition. I was a stalwart Hero System fan up until 5E came out, but for some reason the massive 5E tome turned me off. I think there was some invisible line of complexity that was crossed between 4E and 5E that I guess went beyond my tolerance level.

Post originally by Crims at 2004-04-05 09:00:28
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I have sworn to repeat the phrase:

"HERO system is the schiznit!"

In all discussions of the HERO game because of it's high quality, everlasting logic, and flexibility.

I ran a fantsy campaign and it was a pretty short rough period to teach the game and now that I have moved away from the players, it has become their system of choice.

I picked up Sidekick recently and I think they could have added more text and diagrams to ease new players in. Also they should market it as a compatible stand-alone game as opposed to only training wheels for 5th edition. It works as a stand alone now just fine, they just should acknowledge that fact. Maybe licence a "powered by HERO" thing like GURPS does.
There should be a "GURPS - HERO" concordance for conversion rules.
Anyway I'm drifting. Mechanically, HERO is the game that all RPGs want to grow up to.

Post originally by Buzz at 2004-04-05 09:23:37
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Excellent review, James. A very nice overview of HERO's basics, and a nice assessment of <i>Sidekick</i> as a product.

Post originally by Eclectic Wave at 2004-04-05 09:45:00
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Yes, very good review. I liked the example of the Towel.

Post originally by Steve Long at 2004-04-05 09:49:00
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Thanx for posting a review of Sidekick, James. I'd like to offer two brief clarifications:

1. DOJ, Inc. was founded by my business partner Darren Watts, who got the whole process of buying the Hero Games assets going before I was even involved in the company. If there's any "leader" of DOJ in that sense, I think the title more properly applies to him than to me.

2. The combat matrix you refer to as being only in SK is in fact in 5E as well. It's on page 244 of the 5E rulebook.

Post originally by Shanya Almafeta at 2004-04-05 12:05:21
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First, we were told that the excluded powers could be built by putting modifiers onto other powers. Is this true?

Also, the tone you used in this review was fairly negative.

Post originally by Laughing maniac at 2004-04-05 12:14:58
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I totally agree with this post. In fact, thanks to this review I may give Hero another look. Although these days I've been running with Mutants and Masterminds.

Post originally by tldenmark at 2004-04-05 13:14:42
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I bought 5th edition when it came out, but have been too intimidated to read it.

I played in a Champions campaign one time and loved it, but I let the GM and other players do the work for me.

Hero: Sidekick is exactly what the doctor ordered! I really enjoyed reading it, and really 'get' the Hero system now. If only I could find a local Hero gaming group to get in now...


Cheers,
td

Post originally by Arkaengel at 2004-04-05 13:33:13
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It is a nice review. I've recently picked up a whole lot of 4th edition Hero / Champions books cheap, including the BBB; as I don't have all that much experience with Hero and possibly don't need the 5th edition main rulebook quite yet, I should get by on the 4th edition books plus Sidekick initially.