[RPG]: Mouse Guard Roleplaying Game, reviewed by C.W.Richeson (5/5)

[RPGnet Reviews]

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14338.phtml

Christopher W. Richeson's Summary:

<I>Mouse Guard</I> combines the wonderful world of the comic of the same name with the descriptive <I>Burning Wheel</I> system to create a game that encourages heroic adventure at every turn.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Burning Luke]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Chris!

[Mechante_Anemone]

Chris, your review jives with my experience. I've been playing the game since it came out (link to AP thread in my sig file) and although the mechanics are not necessarily the best fit for my favourite style of play, Mouse Guard has provided me with my best gaming and role-playing experiences this year. We had a game just last night, and it was great stuff once again, with mixed drama and comedy.

Nevertheless, we started with two groups and a pool of 8 players, but half dropped because the system was really not their thing. For my part, I've found that it can be used to support a game style I enjoy, even if with more effort than some other systems; the key is really to get a group that clicks with it.

The book is well worth buying for fans of the comic, even if they decide they don't like the system; it's gorgeous, and contains ample background material that could be used to support a different system.

And for people who do want to try the Burning Wheel family of games, Mouse Guard makes an excellent intro with its streamlined rule set.

[Chris Tavares]

I am apparently one of those who the game just doesn't fit. I played in a one-shot last Wednesday night (one of the scenarios out of the book). It just... didn't feel right. It took me a while, then I think I figured it out. It was a deck of obstacle cards and a board away from being a boardgame.

The "immersive roleplaying" just didn't come through; I felt like I was spending all my time figuring out what skill to roll next in a highly tactical way.

The other members of the group loved it though. So I guess it really is a question of taste.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Chris Tavares

I am apparently one of those who the game just doesn't fit. I played in a one-shot last Wednesday night (one of the scenarios out of the book). It just... didn't feel right. It took me a while, then I think I figured it out. It was a deck of obstacle cards and a board away from being a boardgame.

The "immersive roleplaying" just didn't come through; I felt like I was spending all my time figuring out what skill to roll next in a highly tactical way.

The other members of the group loved it though. So I guess it really is a question of taste.

I agree thatits a matter of taste as I disagree with you on your following points:

Tactical = board game
Tactical =/= immersive roleplaying

You can have tactical thinking in RPGs, in fact many do be the very nature of using rules to govern actions and PC capabilities. Where the tolerance lies is a matter of taste.