Chimerical Realm

Comic Book Adventures (CBA) has been on my radar for a bit now. For those who don't know, it's a solo system for playing comic book style superheroes. Which is exactly what I was looking for. However, it's an add on for a game called Heroes Wear Masks (HWM), which I was completely unfamiliar with. So, while I have owned CBA for a while now, it was just the other day that I finally bit the bullet and bought HWM. Heroes Wear Masks is a Pathfinder -derived game, and is explicitly so. I think, to it's detriment. Not that d20 can't do superheroes ( Mutants and Masterminds after all), but because the authors assume you not only are very familiar with Pathfinder, but have a copy of the rules open in front of you. They skip large chunks of key rules (combat, skill resolution, feats) by just pointing to Pathfinder. As such, it's difficult to call HWM a complete game, and exists instead more as someones house-rules.

I was finally able to run a game with the 5th Edition play-test rules , using the provided scenario The Last Night .  I've posted previously my thoughts on the new rules based on a read through, but seeing them in action is a different thing all together.  This post will be divided into two sections--the first on the rules, and the second on the scenario. Rules In general, I like the new rules. Of course, the ones provided are very limited. There are significant aspects from the game missing, including some very basic ones. This is not a set or rules I'd hand to a new Gamemaster who wants to run their own game for the very first time. But, the audience is clearly for those who are already playing Vampire , so that's fine. But, more or less, my initial impressions wore born out in the play  The only real complaint is how many things one needs to keep track of with the new system. Willpower, Composure, Hunger, and Rouses all fluctuate throughout the game, and eac...

White Wolf  has partnered with  Asmodee Digital  to create two new mobile games, one based on  Vampire: The Masquerade   the other on  Mage: The Ascension . In a previous post , I reviewed the Vampire game, We Eat Blood . I've finally had a chance to check out the Mage one, Refuge . In short, while it falters as a game, it's a gripping and enjoyable short story, and it feels like at lease some of your decisions actually matter. It's difficult for me to review Refuge without subconsciously comparing it to We Eat Blood.  But, each deserves to stand, or fall, on their own merits. As such, this review will be divided into two parts. Part one will look at Refuge on its own terms. Part two will be a comparison of the two, for those who are interested but undecided on which, if any, to check out.  The writing  The writing in Refuge  is fantastic, and easily the strongest element of the game. I've never had a chance to read any...