Post originally by RemyDuron at 2004-11-01 08:33:45
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I don't own Feng Shui, and I don't really want to. This game is a lite, lite, LITE action game, from what I've heard Feng Shui is much more crunchy. Everything in Pulp Fu is based of embellishment, AKA descriptions of actions. Even if you have the highest gun rating possible, you will get killed in combat if all you ever say is "I shoot him." I mean, you will get demolished. In this system, unlike Exalted and, I would guess, Feng Shui, "stunts" or embellishments make up the majority of task resolution, they are not merely icing on the cake.
Post originally by Dotan Dimet at 2004-11-01 09:32:01
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Basically, what he said.
Pulp Fu is a self-contained supplement to Dan's Wushu system, and I suggest you check out the Wushu resources and freebies on his site for a good idea of how the system works.
http://bayn.org/wushu/matrix.html
(The freebies are adaptations of the Matrix movies to Wushu, since that's something he couldn't afford to charge for, obviously.)
I own Feng Shui and I've run it a couple of times. I found that the impression the game text gives (lite, fast, fun) is a bit at odds to the way the mechanics operate in practice: The handling time as a newbie Feng Shui GM felt about as awkward as Shadowrun, which I've only experienced as a player with a practiced GM.
This is probably because Feng Shui's text appeals very strongly to people seeking fast action and drama, but the game design is based on the assumption that a lot of the players will be hack-and-slash loving munchkins. So you get a game that gives you enough of a tactical element to annoy the narrativists, anf an overall flavour that feels crunchy but bland rather than lite and fast.
Wushu (and Pulp Fu) has a much simpler system, where all the "crunch" is basically treated as a special effect, something you narrate to add color and get more dice. The tactical element is minimal, the descriptive aspect is maximized. Instead of not penalizing PCs for colorful description (like FS suggests), Wushu requires colorful description to power the in-game effect. So all the things that FS handles with mechanics, Wushu handles with what (in FS and Exalted) you'd call "stunts", or "roleplaying bonuses".
Umm, I should probably add that my own experiences running Wushu (using a superheroes game, with characters originally built in Powergame), weren't as successful as I'd hoped, and I opted to switch to freeform in the end. Probably because I felt that only without mechanics can I as the GM have full control of a scene's pacing.
Post originally by Freddy Butterpants at 2004-11-01 10:51:39
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HEY SH1THEAD,
Wanna try replying to him again, this time without all the condescending barbs?
I'd answer your question, as I have both, but I'd rather not now, cause you'd probably turn my informed reply into some poisoned remark meant to make yourself look better than everyone else. I don't fucking play that game.
I have yet to see you reply to anybody on these boards with dignity, so I spare none for you.
Post originally by Ross Winn at 2004-11-01 10:58:28
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In the future you may learn manners, I doubt it, but anything is possible. Too bad your question is entirely subjective and has no real meaning, other than proving that you are an ass.
It would be very simple to use Shadowfist/Feng Shui as a setting for Wushu.
I would be simple to replace Feng Shui's complex and crunchy rules set with Wushu's more streamlined and stylish system.
Post originally by Ezekiel Black at 2004-11-01 11:11:29
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What exactly is complicated about FS? It's MUCH lighter than many other RPGs I've found, pick a template, assign points, pick powers, the mechanic is (skill or stat) +1d6 -1d6 vs. Difficulty. I have shown nearly all of Feng Shui's system just then. Sure, there's the shot counter/etc for combat, and health system, but it's remarkably easy to GM vs. other games.
Dotan Dimet wrote:
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The handling time as a newbie Feng Shui GM felt about as awkward as Shadowrun, which I've only experienced as a player with a practiced GM.
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Are you saying that FS is as complicated as Shadowrun? This is completely absurd.
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This is probably because Feng Shui's text appeals very strongly to people seeking fast action and drama, but the game design is based on the assumption that a lot of the players will be hack-and-slash loving munchkins.
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Ok, so real roleplayers are sated with the storyline of FS and powergamers are sated with the game system of FS. Oh, and the fact that the system is balanced also sates real roleplayers. So the game is perfect for everyone in your eyes. I dunno if I'd go that far, but I do enjoy GMing FS.
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So you get a game that gives you enough of a tactical element to annoy the narrativists, anf an overall flavour that feels crunchy but bland rather than lite and fast.
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I had three gamers in my first group to try FS. We had characters made in less than 10 minutes, and one guy had to go run for popcorn and copy character sheets. The roll and shot system took another 3 minutes for them to swallow and become experts at. After the game, everyone said the rules and setting were unlike and cooler than anything they'd ever played. I don't understand your criticism, but perhaps not all people game FS the same way.
And we've played Shadowrun. Once. Not my choice.
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Wushu (and Pulp Fu) has a much simpler system, where all the "crunch" is basically treated as a special effect, something you narrate to add color and get more dice. The tactical element is minimal, the descriptive aspect is maximized.
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I don't understand this arguement. FS had no tactics when I ran it. For gawd's sake, one player shot out the ceiling of a restaurant with his machine gun while another tossed a table at a bunch of mooks at the stairwell. The third grabbed a mook by the throat and threw him through the window (and went with him, using him as a glass/bullet shield). That was one round of combat, and I used the exact same mechanic for all situations. It all played out in about 25 seconds. I'd call that "descriptive aspect is maximized"
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Instead of not penalizing PCs for colorful description (like FS suggests), Wushu requires colorful description to power the in-game effect. So all the things that FS handles with mechanics, Wushu handles with what (in FS and Exalted) you'd call "stunts", or "roleplaying bonuses".
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I asked what it brings to the table FS doesn't. YOu tell me that "In Wushu, you can't do it if you don't describe it" In FS, if you describe it unwell, you perform unwell. I barely see any difference here.
Post originally by Ezekiel Black at 2004-11-01 11:15:48
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Ross Winn wrote:
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In the future you may learn manners, I doubt it, but anything is possible. Too bad your question is entirely subjective and has no real meaning, other than proving that you are an ass.
It would be very simple to use Shadowfist/Feng Shui as a setting for Wushu.
I would be simple to replace Feng Shui's complex and crunchy rules set with Wushu's more streamlined and stylish system.
Whether you want to do so is up to you.
Is that simple enough for you?
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Thank you for the answer, which simply put, is "no"
I like action movie RPing, and am sure that this game is just great at emulating it for less cash than FS. I was just wondering if I should buy it or pass.
Does it bring anything new to the table?
I don't see this statement as "ass"-ish, but attacking a game you know nothing about is pointless and a waste of everyone's time.
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Wanna try replying to him again, this time without all the condescending barbs?
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Not condescending, I actually said I was his equal in ignorance.
Condescend: To descend to the level of one considered inferior; lower oneself.
If I am his equal in ignorance by my own admission (and it is the truth), how am I condescending?
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I'd answer your question, as I have both, but I'd rather not now, cause you'd probably turn my informed reply into some poisoned remark meant to make yourself look better than everyone else. I don't fucking play that game.
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Yes, it looks like you don't need me to make a poisoned remark.
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I have yet to see you reply to anybody on these boards with dignity, so I spare none for you.
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I've never recieved any respect, so I spare none for anyone. Most people take my question for more than what it is, which is a general question. I didn't say the game is unworthy of purchase, I asked if it was worth purchasing if you already had something that looked remarkibly like it. What's different about this brand of fruity cereal, and why should I get it if I already have Fruit Loops? Does it have marshmellows? Does it turn your milk purple? What's the special prize inside?
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Have a nice day, prick.
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<---- Smiley.
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