[RPG]: Dark Stars, reviewed by IMAGinES (2/2)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11103.phtml

Robert Farquhar's Summary:

While Dark Stars has a few good ideas and a promising concept, it needs more development and polish before it’ll inspire or enable a solid SF-horror one-shot.

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Dan Davenport at 2005-02-28 09:13:46
Converted from Phorums BB System

Given the Lovecraftian creatures involved, is there magic (or some equivalent) in the game?

--
Dan Davenport

Post originally by IMAGinES at 2005-02-28 12:52:46
Converted from Phorums BB System

Only if you're using the Sacrifices add-on rules with a game that already features magic. If you're using Sacrifices as a stand-alone, the only rules are for your capabilities and how they affect determining Sacrifices whenever you want to do anything Important. If you want a magic character, you basically describe the character sa a mage and make either one of its Skills or its Specialty magic-related. The mechanic itself wouldn't change; the player just gives the colour of the result a magical bent. Monsters just pretty much do what the GM says they do; the rules have them work against the players in an arbitrary manner similar to InSpectres' Stress rolls.

Post originally by Dan Bayn at 2005-03-01 13:38:07
Converted from Phorums BB System

I'll be the first to admit that Dark Stars was written in a fever dream that lasted most of September. I have a special fondness for Sci-Fi Horror games and, while brainstorming for Halloween, decided to share that fondness with my pdf purchasing brethren. Robert's assessment of the game is a fair one, but I would like to say something about the game mechanics...

I've run the sample adventure in Dark Stars three times now, and each has been a rousing success. I always use the Sacrifice mechanic as the only resolution system. However, I think the deficiences Robert identifies are places where my personal GMing style fills in the gaps. Communicating the social contracts that make my games run the way they do is always challenging. It took me two tries to get it right with Wushu.

At any rate... Robert, I thank you for the honest review and hope that you at least got your $2.50 worth.

--Dan