[RPG]: Unbidden, reviewed by Kester Pelagius (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10398.phtml

C. Demetrius Morgan's Summary:

Unbidden is a world where perception of reality is everything. It's two parts Dante's Inferno mixed with a tangy jigger of Stephen King paranoia. Or is it?

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Brett at 2004-06-14 18:06:37
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Thanks for the review.

You can also order Unbidden directly from Politically Incorrect Games at http://www.pigames.net/unbidden.php

There's also some extra free content on our Collaborative Site at http://www.pigames.net/collaborative/

Post originally by Mark Bruno at 2004-06-14 21:00:29
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<< There's also some extra free content on our Collaborative Site at http://www.pigames.net/collaborative/ >>

Mainly, a neat little piece I authored that goes into greater detail the inner workings of the Darkness and its agents.



-- Mark

Post originally by flyingmice at 2004-06-15 06:34:40
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Hiya Kester!

PIG do marvelous games, don't they? Excellent layouts along with top notch content! Great review.

-mice

Post originally by Dan Davenport at 2004-06-15 08:25:07
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Thanks for the review!

One thing I don't think you really emphasized was the protagonists status as basically homeless people due to their touch of the supernatural making "normal" folks shy away from them. I didn't think the backstory of the setting really made any sense in that context, by the way, with the Unbidden once having been great rulers.

I really like the premise, but I had a hard time visualizing exactly what the PCs were supposed to do. Their powers seem pretty specific and limited. One of the adventure seeds includes a book with a kind of ceremonial magic, but that seems to run counter to the way supernatural powers work.

--
Dan Davenport

Post originally by Mark Bruno at 2004-06-15 09:47:06
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<< I didn't think the backstory of the setting really made any sense in that context, by the way, with the Unbidden once having been great rulers. >>

Just to clarify, the Unbidden were NEVER great rulers. Throughout history, they've always been normal people possessed with great powers and an unwanted responsibility to "save the world." If you'll recall the timeline that's included in the book, there are numerous references to the Unbidden being chased, hunted and preyed upon by agents of the Darkness.

Now, the Loremasters, that's a different story. But then, players are not supposed to portray them.

Also, the adventure seed you refer to, Dan, isn't necessarily a book of ceremonial magic more so than it is a tome that the Darkness fears holds the secret to sending them back to wherever it is they come from. Since I don't have the book in front of me, this is all second-hand accounting. It's been awhile since I wrote that seed And that's just what it is, a seed to give GMs an idea as to the types of scenarios they can run with Unbidden.

As one reviewer said, Unbidden can be just as much about monster hunting as it is about exploring one's own personal demons and the PC reacts to a world he or she is supposed to save that is filled with people who want nothing to do with him or her.

Quite a refreshing change of pace, if you ask me...but then I wrote the damn thing

-- mark

Post originally by Mark Bruno at 2004-06-15 09:48:25
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I should add that while there were several Unbidden who rose to prominence in the game's backstory, an equal amount have been cut down as well

Post originally by Dan Davenport at 2004-06-15 09:53:00
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Mark Bruno wrote:
-------------------------------
<b><i>As one reviewer said, Unbidden can be just as much about monster hunting as it is about exploring one's own personal demons and the PC reacts to a world he or she is supposed to save that is filled with people who want nothing to do with him or her.

Quite a refreshing change of pace, if you ask me...but then I wrote the damn thing </i></b>
-------------------------------

I do like that perspective. In fact, I'd like to see more of it -- in particular, information on the harsh realities of living on the streets.

--
Dan Davenport

Post originally by Mark Bruno at 2004-06-15 10:00:04
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<< I do like that perspective. In fact, I'd like to see more of it -- in particular, information on the harsh realities of living on the streets. >>

I agree, Dan. While there's some good information on the game's "default" setting, and what your new existance as one of the Unbidden entails, there's always room for more. I think something along the lines of what you just presented would "personalize" the experience even more. I always intended (and I think Brett did too) Unbidden to be as much a game of personal horror as it is one of the "interdimensional" variety.

If you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to ask away. It's nice to be able to revisit the game in such a way

Post originally by Kester Pelagius at 2004-06-15 10:57:42
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>>I agree, Dan. While there's some good information on the game's "default" setting, and what your new existance as one of the Unbidden entails, there's always room for more. <...> I always intended (and I think Brett did too) Unbidden to be as much a game of personal horror as it is one of the "interdimensional" variety.<<

Does this mean we can expect an new, revised, updated, and expanded edition of Unbidden in the near future?

Perhaps something that can integrate all these wonderful premises with expanded versions of the "freebie" material as well?