[RPG]: Questers of the Middle Realms, reviewed by C.W.Richeson (3/3)

2nd Level RPGnetter · #1 05-14-2007, 01:00 AM

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12985.phtml

Christopher W. Richeson's Summary:

<i>Questers</i> provides a rules light approach to fantasy roleplaying.

Go to the full review for more information.

Tim Gray · #2 05-14-2007, 02:40 AM

Thanks for the comprehensive review, Chris.

It's really unfortunate that the humour elements didn't strike a chord with you at all, as that's one of the main planks of the product. From that viewpoint I guess I can understand the humorous bits in the magic section, setting, etc being invisible, and QMR collapsing into just a short toolkit adapting PDQ for fantasy.

I would encourage readers to check out other reviews as well, eg via the Silver Branch website or RPGNow page, to get a range of other responses to the material.

Destriarch · #3 05-14-2007, 05:31 AM

Hmm. I can understand why incongruous humour and serious elements could screw up a product. Pity that, as I've still not found a fantasy game I'm entirely happy with and this system sounds interesting.

Any chance of you guys writing an original and entirely serious fantasy setting that's truly unlike any other? (For that matter if you're in the market for one, I could probably write you one, but that's a bit of a tangent.)

Ash

C.W.Richeson · #4 05-14-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Gray

I would encourage readers to check out other reviews as well, eg via the Silver Branch website or RPGNow page, to get a range of other responses to the material.

Absolutely! A range of perspectives is always valuable when evaluating a product.

chadu · #5 05-14-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Gray

Thanks for the comprehensive review, Chris.

It's really unfortunate that the humour elements didn't strike a chord with you at all, as that's one of the main planks of the product. From that viewpoint I guess I can understand the humorous bits in the magic section, setting, etc being invisible, and QMR collapsing into just a short toolkit adapting PDQ for fantasy.

I would encourage readers to check out other reviews as well, eg via the Silver Branch website or RPGNow page, to get a range of other responses to the material.

I agree Chris' review was very good, and also pine slightly he didn't dig on the humorous bits.

As an aside, you have to understand:
1. Tim's from the UK; and
2. The humor in QMR is somewhat understated/implicit (with the occasional wallop of funny from behind).

The combo of #1 and #2 means that (IMAO, of course) some of the funny bits slip right by a typical American reader used to more in-your-face, wacky, or explicit funny.

It's a "wry grin" sort of funny more than a "laugh out loud" sort of funny. . . at least that is how it appears to me.

(However, I think the wacky arises out of play: there's an QMR PbP thread going on over at the AP message board, and the wackiness is generally ramping up in it, in a good way.)

CU

Tim Gray · #6 05-14-2007, 07:37 AM

The "wallop from behind" thing was never proved.

Scorpio Rising · #7 05-14-2007, 07:45 AM

I have a question about PDQ: How would it work with Fudge dice?

I've read nice, detailled descriptions of the core mechanic (such as CWR gives above) a couple of times now, and the 2 pts/rank thing sort of bugs me.

How do you think the game would look if each rank was worth +/- 1 and you rolled 4dF instead of 2d6 -- kind of like the shift TSoY made from 1st to 2nd edition?

Cheers,

Scorpio just bought 20dF.

C.W.Richeson · #8 05-14-2007, 07:49 AM

You'd have to redo all the target numbers and such, but I don't see why not. You're just replacing the dice mechanic and the static target numbers. The Qualities system, Damange and Failure Ranks, opposed rolls, and everything else would be just fine.

Dan Davenport · #9 05-14-2007, 08:12 AM

Excellent review, Chris!

I, too, would be interested in seeing this system applied to a serious fantasy setting.

Do Qualities stack in other versions of PDQ? I rather like the way that works as described here, as it keeps attribute and skill equivalents connected.

Also, how does weapon damage work?

Destriarch · #10 05-14-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Gray

I would encourage readers to check out other reviews as well, eg via the Silver Branch website or RPGNow page, to get a range of other responses to the material.

No offence guys, and I totally agree about getting different opinions, but the *last* place I'd go for reviews is to the publisher's own website.

Ash