[Let’s Read] CthulhuTech – Discovery Phase

[Skywalker]

I have just received my copy of CthulhuTech, an RPG from WildFire (www.cthulhutech.com). Woot!

I have been waiting for this book for sometime and was initially thinking of doing a “100 Days of...” for it. However, I can’t devote that time solely to CthulhuTech due to other RPG commitments (its Xmas damn it! ) so instead I have decided to start three threads covering my exploration of this book using some of the other common formats used on RPGnet.

In an attempt to make these three threads easier to navigate, I have also split each thread into three phases (inspired by Ben Lehman’s use of phases in his RPG “Bliss Stage” – which is awesome by the way).

Just a quick comment about me and my (obvious) biases. I am a big fan of Call of Cthulhu and even bigger fan of big robot anime (especially Evangelion and RahXephon). I am less knowledgeable of the futuristic black ops and military stuff that is in CTech but I enjoy that also. As such, I expect that I will like this RPG, that’s why I have been keeping track of it through the ages. However, I hope that by commenting on the game contemporaneously with my reading and exploration of it, I can tease out my first reactions to it and provide a helpful review of it for others.

Anyway, onto the threads:

<b>Let’s Read</b>
This thread will cover my comments as I read through the book.

The first phase will be the “Discovery Phase” (which you are in now) which provides my initial impressions from the first flick through of the book and its presentation. It will also form a general index for navigating the various threads.

The second phase will be the “Revelation Phase” which will include my review and comments arising from a read through of the book from beginning to end.

The last phase will be the “Enlightenment Phase” which will provide my conclusions based on the results of all the other threads, as well ongoing discussion on the RPG.

<b>Let’s Play</b>
This thread will cover the Aeon Angelus Necronomicon PbP campaign over on RPGnet’s PbP forums. It will commence shortly.

The first phase will be the “Ignition Phase” which will include the recruitment of players for the PbP campaign.

The second phase will be the “Acceleration Phase” which will be the world burning for the campaign (I hope to build a campaign based on player input much like you do in Burning Empires).

The last phase will be the “Velocity Phase” which will be the OOC and IC threads of the PbP campaign.

<b>Let’s Fight</b>
This thread will detail a number of one-on-one duels so as to explore the combat mechanics of the game. I will commence this once I have digested the combat rules and stats for the combatants.

The first phase will be the “Vitality Phase” which will be a fight between a Phantom Tager and a Dua-Sanaras Dhohanoid.

The second phase will be the “Integrity Phase” which will be a fight between an Auphan Engel and a Silverfish Migou Mech.

The last phase will be the “Integration Phase” which will be a fight between NEG soldiers (including a Sorcerer) and a Gug.

<b>Let’s Read – Discovery Phase – ACTIVE</b>
<b>Let’s Read – Revelation Phase – ACTIVE</b>
<b><i>Let’s Read – Enlightenment Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>

<b>Let’s Play – Ignition Phase – ACTIVE</b>
<b><i>Let’s Play – Acceleration Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>
<b><i>Let’s Play – Velocity Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>

<b><i>Let’s Fight – Vitality Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>
<b><i>Let’s Fight – Integrity Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>
<b><i>Let’s Fight – Integration Phase</i> – INACTIVE</b>

If anyone has any ideas or comments on this structure (for example, if you would prefer to see another match up for one of the duels, such as the Gug vs a M-4A1 Vreta Main Battle Tank ) let me know.

All make sense? Right, let’s go!

[Eisenmann]

I very much look forward to more. I placed my order just this evening so I know it will be weeks before before my copy arrives and I want to learn as much as I can till then.

[Skywalker]

DISCOVERY PHASE

So the first thing to comment on is the overall product including its production quality and presentation.

The book is hard cover, 288 pages and in full colour. This may seem slim for a main rulebook these days but it is slightly more than both M&M2e and WFRP, both which are solid rulebooks. At $50, it is expensive for its size even in colour and with the price of RPGs rising at the moment (such as 40KRP which is also $50 but 400+ pages IIRC).

Use of contents
From an initial glance, the book seems to use its contents well. There are substantial sections on tech, bestiary, and GM advice. There is a 4 page index and 4 pages of character sheets (including the Mech and Supporting Cast sheet). I checked all the boxes of things an RPG should contain and at this stage it looks promising.

There are two fully fledged scenarios in the back showing the two main styles of play (big mecha and black ops tager). The line "story starters and hooks" from the blurb on the back cover didn't convey this to me though, so I was pleasnatly surprised as I am a big fan of introductory scenarios as a way to show the setting in play in a dynamic way. If you don't like them, they take up less than 15 pages and there is also a list of 8 or so one paragraph story ideas.

Physical production
The book has been printed on Mongoose's in-house printing facility. Mongoose has had production isues over this year as it learns to use this facility. It is true that they have overcome the worst of their issues with pages falling out and covers warping out of control.

Despite these improvements, there have been reports of minor printing issues CTech books, such as pages printed with the sides cut off, and one case of a split spine. From all accounts Mongoose has replaced any such books. None of these printing gaffs are fatal but they do add a sense of concern about what one's book will look like before one gets it.

Fortunately, my copy of CTech contains no printing errors, is bound correctly and shows no significant warping. So yay to Mongoose for that! However, even in pristine condition, Mongoose hardcovers are about average or slightly below average in quality compared to other hardcover RPGs I own. It doesn't feel as well made as my WoD or M&M books for example, but probably goes toe to toe with recent WFRP hardcovers.

Presentation
What the book may loose on its physical production, it makes up for with the presentation of the book. The artwork (much of which is displayed over on their website) is superb. It has the most consistently high visual presentation since Tribe 8 and IMO it is is in the forefront on the RPG industry in terms of using artwork and layout to set a tone and present the setting.

There are some 8 or so artists who have been used in this book but no one style dominates over the overall feel of the setting. It is all pretty dark, with eldritch horrors being graphically depicted alongside dark "Bladerunner-esque" urban landscapes. There is a mixture of painted work, photo realistic work and anime styled art. There were no bad pieces that I could find nor any jarring pieces that looked out of place.

The art is nearly always appropriately placed next to relevant text. All the mechs, tagers and critters are illustrated. There are some weapon illustrations and a few vehicle pictues (probably the most sparse of all the categories).

One criticism is that some of the art does straddle the spine. In some books this would be fine but the Mongoose book is quite tightly bound. A small amount of imapct is lost as a result, especially with the global map (which I understand is being posted up as a download).

Errata
There is already a thread over at the CTech forums that list errata people have found. The book seems relatviely errata free. The list is short and none of the errata is significant errata at this stage (mostly letter juxtaposition or ommission). On a flip through, I also didn't pick up any Page XXs or the usual issues. I will keep an eye on this when I do a more detailed read through.

Overall, the book has impact and is well done, leaving aside some annoying physical production issues. From looking at the book it seems to convey a good idea of what the game is about and inspires me to run games in the world.

[TheMouse]

You may consider me to be a fan of this thread. I really like the concept of being walked through a game from first impression to after use dialog. It is much more valuable than a short review, and the process oriented nature is appealing.

[Skywalker]

One issue with the layout I noticed on my first flick through is that it there is no visual break (such as a piece of artwork or short story) or differentiation between chapters. The chapter headings are also quite small at the very top of the page.

This is mitigated by the index and the fact that the chapter name is listed on each page. However, I did find myself flipping past the start of a chapter without realising I had done so.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by TheMouse

You may consider me to be a fan of this thread. I really like the concept of being walked through a game from first impression to after use dialog. It is much more valuable than a short review, and the process oriented nature is appealing.

Cheers for the vote of support. I have been meaning to do a few threads like this before but thought using them to process a single new RPG may be useful.

[TheMouse]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Cheers for the vote of support. I have been meaning to do a few threads like this before but thought using them to process a single new RPG may be useful.

If a vote of support helps to get me thorough reviews of products I was borderline about purchasing, then votes I have to cast aplenty. (:

More seriously, this type of thing is extremely helpful. I wish I had more examples of it to guide my product purchases. I really like the notion of a walkthrough of what it would be like to experience the purchase of a product. This is especially the case with products my local sources for gaming might not have sitting on their shelves, so I don't get to see them before I decide whether I should spend my (limited) hobby cash on the things.

[The Unshaven]

I'm right into the Discovery phase too, with a line to writing up a review as soon as the game's been absorbed some.

My impressions: The book is damned pretty, even with printing flaws. I'm going to avoid discussing them, because they're Known to the wider community, and I'm confident they'll be fixed and replaced.

The opening fiction: The first piece of opening fiction isn't good. It could be, but it basically need work. The story uses jargon which isn't explained, so that people not already familiar with CTech from online will have no idea what's going on, and multiple names are applied to individual characters without explanation, leading to The Confusion. My girlfriend, who has been a gamer longer than I have, picked up the book because it looks Pretty, but found the fiction confusing and lost interest.

The second piece of fiction is much, much better, and does a good job of conveying the feel of the world - which is what I think opening fiction should do. Get you in the mood, rather than necessarily showing off the big boom factors. However, its layout was so similar to that of the initial piece of fiction that my girlfriend skipped them both, assuming they were the same story.

And that's about where I'm up to.

The next section after that begins with a glossary of terms. This is a useful thing, the one thing I'd note is that it's kept strictly alphabetical, so there are entries at the top of the alphabet which are more specific subcategories of something later in the alphabet which hasn't been explained yet, and that means moving back and forth. Or just getting confused. I'd personally have kept things clustered by relevance, but I realise that's a completely subjective thing and YMMV.

Tis a very pretty book indeed, about to get deeper into content.

*EDIT* And Mongoose have been swift on the response to my query: They're happy to replace the book, and request images of the problems to pass on to their printer. They surprise me by not wanting the book sent back. I'm actually pretty impressed by the response so far.

- The Unshaven.

[Skywalker]

<b>REVELATION PHASE</b>

As you open the book, there is the same piece of artwork inside both covers. It is a black and white version of a picture that is posted up over at the CTech site. It is one of my favourite pieces of artwork, though I am unsure what it is actually showing. I am guessing the arrival of the Migou Hiveship but it isn’t clear. I am unsure why they dropped the colour though it looks good in B&W.

Starting at the beginning there is the usual credits page and contents. The content only lists the chapter heading but as there is an index this is fine. The contents page also helpfully gives a one word description of what each chapter contains, as the more flavourful chapter titles are sometimes unclear.

<b>Opening Fiction</b>
Following these are two pieces of fiction. The first is called Mismatched and was released as a preview some time ago. The second and shorter piece is called Aeon War Syndrome.

Mismatched is a good story hampered as often intro stories are by too much setting information which trips up the reader on their first read. The story is split in two. The first follows an Engel pilot through her traumatic dreams and then in an engagement with a Migo Dragonfly mecha. The second half follows a pack of Tagers in a related story.

In both cases, the stories give a good idea of what the setting is about and are filled with interesting concepts. They also move at 100mph in terms of pace with cinematic descriptions of technology and action scenes.

However, the terminology stunts the pace quite a bit. Each half involves up to 6 or so different characters who have names, call signs and vehicle designations. Most of these issues disappear on a second read but perhaps the prime opportunity for the story is by then lost.

Luckily the second story is much snappier and probably serves as a great introduction to the game. It is the recount of history by a grizzled mech pilot veteran. It sums up with a cool catchline:

<i>“Some people say war is hell. I have seen hell. This is worse.”</i>

This phrase is very clever and contains multiple ideas that are vital to CTech.

Both stories are illustrated and the illustrations are both awesome (very cinematic is feel) and relevant to the action even down to the correct Tager or mech type being shown.

[MikeV]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

<b>REVELATION PHASE</b>

As you open the book, there is the same piece of artwork inside both covers. It is a black and white version of a picture that is posted up over at the CTech site. It is one of my favourite pieces of artwork, though I am unsure what it is actually showing. I am guessing the arrival of the Migou Hiveship but it isn’t clear. I am unsure why they dropped the colour though it looks good in B&W.

Great thread Luke, looking forward to seeing more As a heads up that picture is the first Arcanotech War Memorial. Billions died and as such the memorial is rather large and akin to the Vietnam War Memorial. The other idea we had was making the end papers a close up of all the names of service members names on the memorial wall. We opted for the full illustration as I thought it had a bit more dramatic impact and a very somber mood to start the book.