[RPG]: Scion: Hero, reviewed by yoacusna (2/3)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13694.phtml

Andrew Clarke's Summary:

With a little more work, this could have been reasonably good.

Go to the full review for more information.

[C.W.Richeson]

Howdy, Andrew!

I don't have comments on this review in particular, but I want to mention that I enjoy your reviews and am glad to see you keeping it up. You're very critical in your reviews and clearly set out with the assumption that not every game is perfect and it's your responsibility to communicate that to others. That's noticed and appreciated, thanks!

[CleverName]

First of all, I will agree that Scion is desperately in need of a second (radical) edition, one that takes a long, hard look at actual gameplay, one that is willing to jettison many of the legacy systems and quirks from oWoD and Exalted. Multiple systems used during character creation, the completely out of whack XP system, the high workload placed upon the GM, etc. -- all fair criticisms. I can agree with the idea that one cannot recommend Scion for its svelt, modern, or highly-tuned gaming engine.

Thing is, I have not met anyone who has played Scion that did not have fun -- even the ones that found plenty of ammo to shoot at the system. There are a lot of great concepts, a lot of really wonderful story ideas, and the writers do a good job of making the text entertaining.

So, while I see plenty of room for improvement, I also think there is a lot to recommend about the game. Yes, if you are like me you will be very tempted to roll up your sleeves and start house-ruling, etc. In short, while I think that this game needs a new edition, it, more importantly, deserves it. White Wolf took quite a gamble with this game's production, and I think that they succeeded in putting out a fun game about the children of ancient gods walking among us. I encourage anyone who has an interest in myth in the modern age to pick it up.

Also, I just picked up the first .pdf release of the Scion Companion, and once again they delivered on a new dose of inspiration for the Scion game I just started. I also applaud the innovation this new production model (see link above).

So, I applaud your frankness. Other than some editing gaffes (of which I am guilty) and minor points I think you are spot on concerning the system's need for a revision. I do not think that these problems are the sum total of the game's value (or lack thereof) to me.

[Pete Whalley]

Good review Yoacusna.

I'd tend to agree with almost all of your points, although my players and I did enjoy playing the game for three months. I really can't see it sustaining interest past the Hero stage though.

It's good, but heavily flawed.

[Mechante_Anemone]

Hey, Andrew! Thanks for the review. I'm in the same case you are, playing in a Scion game, and not too terribly impressed with the system. I have very much the same observations you made in your review. I'm playing this game because I like the GM and the players, but frankly I would have preferred to play several other games that have similar themes but in my opinion do a better job (Legends Walk! and Nine Worlds come to mind, and HeroQuest, Arsenal of Heaven, or Weapons of the Gods would work too.)

One observation: I think I would have had a hard time understanding some of the points you made if I hadn't played the game already; a bit more context about how a mechanic works before you discuss its flaws might be helpful.

By the way, the free demo adventure published by White Wolf and featuring its signature NPCs is terrible. It's one of the most pointless and railroading adventures produced this decade. Our GM ran it as a throwaway demo not connected to her main campaign, and our group was very unimpressed. In addition, it offered our group a good opportunity to compare a reasonable but non-optimized Scion character with one tweaked for combat. It's pretty appalling.

One thing we've discovered is that if you have a perfectly good but non-combat-oriented Scion concept (say a healer, a mystic scholar, a trickster, etc.), you're going to have very little to do -- especially in the WW official adventures, as opposed to our GM's own stories. In order to be of any use and survivability, you need to sink points into Epic Stamina and Epic Dexterity, even if it doesn't work with your concept at all. And even so, that just makes you second-rate both at combat and at your main shtick, since you have to split your character creation points and your experience.

[Menchi]

While I think some of the issues you bring up are valid, I still highly recommend Scion. It is a really fun game. It could use a little tweaking and clarification - for example, the wording on UO has been woefully abused.

Our group has, like probably a few gaming groups, a house rule or two to help clarify things - but overall we stick to the rules. And it is a very fun game.

The setting is interesting, and barring a few unique situations the rules are generally fine.

But yes, it could have been a bit better. I think the big mistake was trying to mash Aberrant's powers with Exalted 2e's system. Scion would have worked better with a fresh approach to Exalted's system rather than taking bits and pieces from older systems.

Conan

[flashedarling]

I have to agree with this review. I like the setting alot but really once you go demigod--god then you might as well put away your dice because there is no random factors anymore. The difficulty levels are just too unwieldy with automatic successes. It seems to require alot of house rules and player made materials to make it really playable. But if that's the case why not just take the setting and play it in some other system. Which is not a bad idea.

[HDimagination]

A very interesting review, thanks!

It's interesting that you drew attention to the Epic attributes as being a problem with the system, they seem to been adapted from White-wolf's Abberant, where they cause similar problems, but perhaps not as badly affecting the system due to the fact that there were lotts of powers that could be used to get around them.

Given the realative age of that game, it makes me think that WW needs to shake up it's house system a bit, and be a bit more willing to try new things mechanically.

[jburgos]

Originally Posted by RPGnet Reviews

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13694.phtml

Andrew Clarke's Summary:

With a little more work, this could have been reasonably good.

Go to the full review for more information.

Thanks for a player's perspective review. I have finally decided to buy the whole 3 book Scion pack.

Cannot wait to run this game!!