Wushu's high-flying cinematic game inspired by Wuxia and kung fu movies provides an elegant combat mechanic. However, sharp focus on one element comes at the cost of others. A great game that could benefit from some more substance.
I was surprised by your comment that Wushu is "only a combat system", since the copy of the original Wushu core PDF I have has two pages devoted to applying the dice mechanic to other realms (social, technical, research, car chases). However I see that that PDF is no longer available, and the WushuOpen document doesn't contain that information. Nor does the copy of Pulp Fu that I have, which is sorta positioned to be standalone, like I believe Wire Fu is. Looks like it got dropped at some point, that is unfortunate!
Like Conan said, it's a very focused product. Wire-Fu shows you how to use the mechanics for combat and Honor-related social actions. To be honest, I just use a single roll for most non-combat actions: no Yin/Yang split, no Chi, just whoever rolls the most successes wins. (Wyrd-Fu will be all about spellcasting, but it's still in the works.)
On the topic of GM advice...
Conan's right: Wire-Fu is written for experienced GMs. Again, it's that tight focus. I just didn't have anything new to say about scenario construction or GMing techniques, so I didn't. My readers can get better advice from other sources.
To Conan... thanks for the frank and balanced review. I always appreciate a considered opinion. Lookin' forward to your playtest reactions
--Dan Bayn
__________________ Urbanimus - Our Cities are Alive Hardboiled Urban Fantasy for Secrets & Lies
"If you want a game about lying bastards doing horrible things to each other, then you won't find much better than Secrets & Lies."
--Eddy Webb, Alternative Product Developer at White Wolf Publishing
The review does point out some of Wire-Fus failings quite accurately (Though I'd probably would have given it a 4.), but I am looking forward to both Wyrd-Fu and the revised Wushu-Open that we'll see some time in the far, far future.
(I actually expect to be able to download it directly into my brain by then. )
Still, Wushu defenitly isn't a combat rpg, though it's (sadly) not very clear from the books.
M
__________________ Old Man of the Wushu Clan & Changeling Airship Captain of the Eberron Pack
Dan -- Wire Fu being focused is all fine and good, but is there any place in the currently available Wushu sets that a user can find the guidelines and examples on general use of the dice mechanic that were in the old base PDF? If not, that's a significant shortcoming. Or do you have an forthcoming "Misc Fu" hidden up your sleeve?
Dan -- Wire Fu being focused is all fine and good, but is there any place in the currently available Wushu sets that a user can find the guidelines and examples on general use of the dice mechanic that were in the old base PDF?
I've been meaning to dig those up and post them to either the Wushu website or the Wushu Wiki for quite some time. As those who have been waiting for Wyrd-Fu can tell you, I've been far too busy to write gaming material since last summer. Sucks-diddly-ucks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rafial
Or do you have an forthcoming "Misc Fu" hidden up your sleeve?
That would be the mythical Black Belt Edition, coming to theaters shortly before the Rapture. (If there is any justice in the world, I'll complete my thesis this semester and be able to resume my other projects this summer. Even so, the Black Belt Edition is _way_ down on the list.)
--Dan
__________________ Urbanimus - Our Cities are Alive Hardboiled Urban Fantasy for Secrets & Lies
"If you want a game about lying bastards doing horrible things to each other, then you won't find much better than Secrets & Lies."
--Eddy Webb, Alternative Product Developer at White Wolf Publishing
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