|
|
|
 |
| Other comments left for this publisher: |
|
|
|
|
|
This is a handy and practical work for the GM, detailing several (oh, all right, ten) street gangs, of the size that will pose a realistic yet not overwhelming threat to the characters - or become potential allies. Because it is written 'in character' extracts can be used when the 'runners do some research on gangs they've encountered as well.
So, what is a 'street gang' anyway? You probably have a mental image of leather-clad biker toughs, or something like the Jets out of West Side Story... could be, but there are a wide diversity of possible groups to be found, with a range of different capabilities and interests. For all of them, though, 'reputation' is an overwhelming priority, that and the good of the gang as a whole. Mechanically, each gang described is looked at in terms of the reputation of the gang, what sort of threat they pose to those who encounter them, an estimate of the number of members, and information about their professionalism and skills. Professionalism? you might ask. Like anyone else you have dealings with, it's nice to know whether they'll actually keep a bargain and are reliable...
Like the real world, many gangs draw their membership from inhabitants of a neighbourhood or members of a specific ethnic group. Some can be transported to wherever you are running your game, others are embedded in a specific locale and will add local colour if your 'runners need to visit that location. Many of the individual listings mention other gangs in passing: rivals or allies in the main, if you wish to delve deeper into gang culture you can develop these further, using what's here as a guideline.
Each entry also includes notes on the history and prominent members of the gang, as well as their territory and main areas of business. There are also plot-hooks suggesting how you can involve them in the characters' affairs, some might make full-blown adventures. Despite its size, the work is jam-packed with information and ideas, I can feel plots spawning even as I read through it. If you want to bring gang culture and mentality into your game, this is well worth getting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The sad thing about this PDF is that it is NOT text searchable. How are you to expect to find the one out of a couple hundred mech's, etc. without a text search?!? Not even an index!! Bookmarks are nice, but still inefficient. When I am looking through a 504 page PDF and I know exactly what I am looking for but not WHERE to begin looking for it, make this VERY frustrating. I wish I could simply SEARCH for a Mech name and jump right to it. Would have given it 5 stars, but it only deserves 4 due to this feature being "secured."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The following review was originally posted at Roleplayers Chronicle and can be read in its entirety at http://roleplayerschronicle.com/?p=25327.
“Back in 2050 we needed Decks to access the matrix, none of this technomancer crap you ‘ve got these days.”
“Grand pa, whats a Deck?” Shadowrun 2050 takes runners back to the good old days when cyberware looked like cyberware and runners like Captain Chaos and The Laughing Man were the talk of the streets. This historical setting takes the roots of Shadowrun and converts them to the 4th edition rules. So dust off your deck making skills, jack in and enjoy the retro ride.
OVERALL
I have played every edition of Shadowrun and this book really brought back the memories, some not as good as others. Seeing the 2050 date made me want to go out and buy 30 more d6s because I knew I would need them, until I saw that these were 4th edition rules, then I thought “cool I’ll only need about 15 more d6s.” Seeing the names of long forgotten runners and reading about their exploits was a real treat and if you are a fan of Shadowrun but feel like the current timeline has gotten a little corporate, then this is the book for you.
RATINGS
Publication Quality: 9 out of 10
The folks at Catalyst Game Labs went old school on this one, but they did it right! I remember some of the old art in the previous editions and while it worked well in mostly black and white, it really pops in colors. The covers blue/black/green color scheme looks great, expressing the grit of the setting. Seeing people with “decks” was a real eye opener. The table of contents followed in the normal Shadowrun tradition with a few welcome additions. The dark page borders with the techno symbols was a nice touch, I’m not normally a huge fan of dark borders, but the green hues of the actual pages contrasted nicely with the border and create a product that is easy on the eyes. This is a text heavy sourcebook. There is some great art that really ties it all together. I was disappointed that there were not more pictures in the equipment section and that there were no maps of the cities covered. I know those maps are available elsewhere, but this book could have really used them.
Mechanics: 9 out of 10
When you play Shadowrun you need a bunch of d6s, there is just no way to get around it. Having run the gambit of the rules sets I think 4th edition is the most streamlined to date. I was worried about the re-introduction of matrix surfing decks as I remember spending hours of out-of-game time working with my GM to build and upgrade my character’s deck. With the 4th edition rules, this appears to be a much less arduous process. I still feel like some of the game’s rules are too heavy, but overall I’m satisfied. It was interesting to see how the new rules set actually interacted with some of the old concepts and surprisingly they worked well.
Value Add: 8 out of 10
For people who played Shadowrun back in the day, this product will be a real treat. If you have only played the latest edition, this product might be less useful. As a historical reference for games run in the current timeline this book is great. It serves well as a historical setting, but its limited appeal to people who didn’t play back in the day combined with its cost greatly narrows down the target audience for this product. The Hiring board section was genius! The Hiring board was well thought out and is an adventure seed for Shadowrun games from all editions, because let’s face it a run in the shadows is a Shadowrun!
Overall: 9 out of 10
Shadowrun 2050 is a great looking product and a real treat for people who crave the feel of Shadowrun of yesteryear. The information provided in this book is extensive and I loved the Hiring Board section. In fact, I think it should be part of all new Shadowrun products. The lack of maps and equipment pictures was a great disappointment; I really think these additions would have shown people who have never played the older additions just how much times have changed in the world of Shadowrun. Catalyst Game Labs is a top tier game company and this product is another example of how to use resources for good, not evil. This one isn’t for everyone, but it doesn’t take a smartlink to tell me that this will be a hit with its target audience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Mr. Mohan's workman-like prose shines through best during the tale's many 'Mech combat scenes. As a story about 'Mech-based gladiatorial combat on the game world of Solaris VII, Mohan delivers plenty of vivid description as he tracks the career of rising star David Singh. Singh is a man with a past, trying to re-make himself in the sometimes deadly games on Solaris VII. As an independent fighter, every contest becomes a struggle for survival, and a potential economic hardship.
Any damage to his 70 ton Grasshopper BattleMech needs to be fixed before the next match, and funds for repairs can only come through victory. After running afoul of shady fighter promoters and the agents of rogue Houses, Singh struggles to find true allies in a world where treachery is the norm.
Mr. Mohan knows the BT universe, and the details in his prose show it!
Looking forward to more!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Opening with a fascimile web page, this work provides the low-down of New York in the Awakened future. Just about everything you might need to know if you are writing or running adventures set there, or if your character hails from the Big Apple or intends to visit.
A short piece of fiction depicts a fragment of a 'run: the forcible extraction of, of all targets, an opera singer! Then some recent history, beginning with an earthquake in 2005 that caused many people and companies to leave, and others to offer to cover the costs of rebuilding in return for deregulation, freeing the city to grow in its own sweet way. Whilst bodies like the New York Stock Exchange and the United Nations left, a new body - the Corporate Court - established its headquarters there, paving the way for a new role for the city as massive extra-national corporations developed. Much of Manhatten - the primary focus of this book - was paved over and new corporate skyscrapers built on top. Much of the subway and other below-ground areas, if not destroyed in the 'quake, remain as the domain of the dispossessed and those who nibble around the fringes... and, of course, shadowrunners and their contacts!
For the corporate salaryman, not a lot has changed. An office to go to, a whirl of cultural and sporting events to attend... yet those too are more often than not corporate-owned and run. Even street vendors often are corporate employees rather than the indepent entrepreneurs you might think. And of course, Manhatten itself is now run by a corporation, Manhattan Inc, contracting out services such as security (NYPD Inc, of course) like any other corporate entity! This all makes it a unique place to 'run in, with its own challenges and opportunities. One of those challenges is simply moving around. The entirity of Manhatten is access controlled, and you had better have the correct ID (interrogated constantly by wireless of course), or at least a really good fake one. There's extensive discussion of how the system works and common methods used to circumvent it.
Next comes a gazetteer of the various places to visit or do business in. Some fine 'local flavour' to throw into a game, or enough background for characters who come from any given location. There are personalities and places galore to make the place come alive. This occupies the major part of the book, and is followed by notes on the major corporations to be encountered here. Most of the 'big names' have at least a foothold in Manhattan, and a fair few are headquartered there.
If you know contemporary New York, you'll find this a masterful blend of what you know with the themes and tropes of Shadowrun... and even if you don't, its roots in reality lend this imaginary New York an unmatched verisimiltude. Written entirely 'in character' astute GMs will allow player access when visiting or researching New York; as well as studying it closely to create the feel of the place. There are no adventure ideas here, but if your ideas or a published adventure lead your game to New York, this will be an invaluable resource for you and your characters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
This product was way too short for a ten dollar purchase price. All it consists of is 8 sample sites, and a lot of it is pictures to bolster the page count. Shame on you, Catalyst Game Labs, for charging ten dollars for this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Originally designed as a two-round tournament scenario to be run on the convention circuit, this is a tightly-scripted adventure set on the seamy side of Hong Kong, where cutting-edge technology rubs shoulders with ancient mystiscism and traditional Triads put an unusual spin on 'normal' street gang thuggery.
It opens with a synopsis of the adventure and a survey of the background setting (although reading the Hong Kong chapter of Runner Havens is recommended for the GM who really wants to get into the spirit of it all). As a tournament game, pre-generated characters are provided, although it will not prove challenging to adapt it to an existing team of 'runners, especially as they are being sent to a location strange to most if not all of them. A neat touch in the notes for the first scene, when the characters meet to get briefed for the job, is a note about giving players time to interact as the provided characters are an established team whilst their players may just have met for the first time!
The adventure proceeds apace, with well-scripted scenes in which the information you'll need to run each scene placed at your fingertips. There's an extensive 'Cast of Shadows' section with NPC details to refer to as well. Atmosphere is well done, with encouragement to highlight how different this all is from what the 'runners are used to, especially as the Mr. Johnson has chosen to provide luxury transportation, accommodation and support services for his hirelings... but naturally expects quality service in return!
An interesting feature of this adventure is that one of the characters provided is a Hacker, and provision is made in the shape of things for him to do... a nice touch, all too many folks shy away from writing for Hackers as it can be a bit hard to cope with someone off netrunning whilst the rest of the party remain in the 'meat' world. Here things are interleaved nicely, and if you prefer to use your own characters it will be worth considering providing an NPC Hacker if nobody in your group plays one.
As a whole, the adventure is well balanced with investigation, interaction and combat a-plenty, with scope for those who use magic as well as those who specialise in combat, infiltration or talking... nobody should feel excluded from the action for long. The whole flavour of Hong Kong as a location comes over well, I suspect that the author may have been there! There are both set-piece combat encounters and situations that may result in a brawl depending on how they play out. There are clear maps for those locations in which combat is likely or in which it is scripted to take place.
The characters provided are well-developed with complete backgrounds and could easily be adopted by groups who do not have time or inclination to generate their own, and could well continue on to other adventures if desired.
Overall, it's a well-written and interesting adventure with a taut plotline and plenty of action, something to keep to hand for when you fancy a couple of sessions of Shadowrun or for a suitable moment in a campaign where your own characters have reached sufficient renown on the 'running circuit to be approached for this job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
http://www.teilzeithelden.de
----
SRM 04-07 Burn ist Teil der Shadowrun:Missions. Hierbei handelt es sich um eine von Catalyst Game Labs inszenierte Kampagne, die auf Conventions und vergleichbaren Treffen gespielt werden soll. Nach jeder Mission erhalten Spieler ein Debriefing Log, welches sie zu ihrer nächsten Runde mitnehmen können. Die Inhalte können auch aus dem Internet heruntergeladen gekauft werden, um sie zuhause zu spielen.
Erscheinungsbild
Das mir vorliegende pdf ist zweckmäßig gestaltet. Hinter einem bunten und reißerischen Cover verbergen sich 31 weitere Seiten, die kurz beschreiben, wie die Shadowrun:Missions zu spielen sind und welche Möglichkeiten der zusammenhängenden Handlung gegeben sind. Danach schliesst sich direkt der Run an, der in 9 Szenen aufgeteilt ist.
Die Schrift ist gut lesbar, der Hintergrund der Seiten ist mit einer zartblauen Hintergrundgrafik unterlegt. Abgeschlossen wird die Mission durch eine Auflistung der Belohnungen, NSCs und Auswirkungen auf den Charakter. Als zusammenhängende Kampagne kann man hier NSCs als Kontakte bekommen (dafür gibt es hübsch anzusehende Kärtchen zum Ausschneiden). Desweiteren kann positive oder negative Reputation bei Vereinigungen und Organisationen aufgebaut werden, auch dieses hat Auswirkungen auf nachfolgende Runs. Und, wie bereits geschrieben, findet sich hier das Mission Debriefing Log.
Und natürlich darf man nicht vergessen zu erwähnen, dass die Runde diese Mission auch ganz ohne Kampagne spielen kann. Angesichts der vielen offenen Enden und Keuzverbindungen zu vorherigen Missionen erscheint mir das eher fad.
Inhalt
Thematisch spielt die Mission im orkischen Untergrund von Seattle. Nach dem großen Brand von 1889 hat man sich entschieden, die neue Stadt auf der alten zu bauen und hat viele der alten Häuser verschüttet. Nach dem Erwachen der sechsten Welt wurden die alten und unzugänglichen Gebäude als Unterschlupf und Versteck für die oftmals verfolgten Orks genutzt. Auch in der Nacht des Zorns 2039 bot dieser Ort vielen Metamenschen Unterkunft. Seit einigen Jahrzehnten nun herrscht Ruhe und Sicherheit und sogar Touristen finden ihren Weg hier her, um die einmalige Szenerie zu bestaunen.
Nun aber plötzlich beginnen „Unfälle“, oftmals rund um das Thema Feuer angesiedelt und erste Tote und Verletzte sind zu beklagen. Diese Häufung ruft den Ork MacAllister, den Spieler bereits aus vorherigen Missions kennen auf den Plan und er heuert ein Runnerteam an, den Unfällen, die wohl eher Attentate sind, auf die Spur zu kommen. MacAllister ist ein prominentes Mitglied des Ork Rights Committee und engagiert sich unter anderem auch für die Anerkennung des Untergrun-des als offiziellen Distrikt von Seattle.
Die Handlung ist auf 9 sehr lineare Kapitel aufgeteilt, die die übliche Struktur Auftragsannahme-Hindernis-Informationssammlung-Hindernis-Hei
ße Spur-Endkampf haben. Im Laufe der Mission werden die Runner mit ethischen Fragen konfrontiert, wie auch der Presse und Kontakten, die sie bereits in vorherigen Missions getroffen haben. Hier ist gut gelungen, wie der Lauf der Geschichte (sich leider nur minimal) ändern kann, je nachdem wie man sich zuvor wem gegenüber verhalten hat und wen man sich als Kontakt erarbeiten konnte. Unter den diversen Schauplätzen sind der orkische Untergrund, eine Polizeistation, eine Verfolgungsjagd und eine verlassene Chrysler-Nissan Fabrik.
Ein wenig stört mich, dass der Run zwar in sich abgeschlossen ist, das Ende aber sehr unbefriedigend wirkt, da nicht komplett aufgelöst. Auch wirken die Szenen wie in wilder Kreativität zusammengeschusterte Momentaufnahmen und der rote Faden ein wenig aufgezwängt. Im Vergleich zu den anderen Missionen hinterlässt diese einen faden Nachgeschmack.
Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis
3,95 USD – na, das ist nicht viel Geld. Dafür bekomme ich einen Run, ganz nette Handouts, Karten, NSC-Profile und ein bis zwei Abende voller Spielspaß mit meiner Runde. An sich kein schlechter Deal, wirklich nicht.
Dass ich bei dem günstigen Preis kein High-End-Layout erwarten kann ist klar, auch, dass ich etwas Eigenleistung betreiben muss. Ich finde den Preis angemessen. Der Run gehört in die Kiste der Abenteuer, die ich mit wenig Vorbereitung leiten kann, wenn ich partout keine andere Idee habe.
Falschmachen kann man als Shadowrunner für diesen geringen Preis eigentlich nichts.
Fazit
Wenn auch eine ziemliche Eisenbahn durch den linearen Kapitelaufbau, denke ich, dass die eigene Spielrunde ihren Spaß haben kann mit Burn. Gut ist, dass Angaben gegeben werden, wenn die Runner totalen Mist bauen oder es Ihnen zu leicht gemacht wird. So steuert man als SL auch gut, wie viel Zeit investiert wird.
Storyseitig finde ich diese Mission nicht so gelungen wie die vorherigen. Will man allerdings dem großen roten Faden folgen, der durch die Kampagne rund um den orkischen Untergrund führt, gibt es keinen Weg vorbei.
Bonus/Downloadcontent
Auf der offiziellen Shadowrun 4 Seite im Web finden sich etliche helfende Downloads, wie auch Links zu Bezugsquellen: http://www.shadowrun4.com/missions/
Unsere Bewertung
Erscheinungsbild 3v5
Zweckmässiges Design mit netten Charakterskizzen und einigen Karten
Inhalt 3v5
Sehr linearer Aufbau, wirkt stellenweise zusammengestückelt. Gut spielbar für Einsteiger oder Spieler mit wenig Zeit
Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis 3.5v5
Der Preis ist dem Inhalt angemessen. Bläht man den Run etwas auf, kriegt man 2 Spielabende heraus
Gesamt 3v5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Shadowrun:Missions ist eine lebendige zusammenhängende Kampagne, die dazu gedacht ist, auf Conventions und vergleichbaren Treffen gespielt zu werden. Da die Inhalte auch zum Download als Kaufobjekt verfügbar sind, liegt es nahe, sie auch mit den eigenen Runden zuhause zu spielen. Das erste Missionspaket, welche ich besprechen möchte, ist bei DriveThruRPG.com als Doppelpaket zu erstehen und beinhaltet die Missionen Copycat Killer und On a silver platter.
Erscheinungsbild
Wer bei DTRPG das Paket ersteht, bekommt beide Missionen in der pdf-Version.
Das Erscheinungsbild ist von Copycat Killer vor allem eines: Zweckmäßig. Ein mehr schlecht als recht offenbar eingescanntes vollfarbiges Cover außen, schwarz-weiß mit handgezeichneten Skizzen innen. Hübsch ist das wirklich nicht, aber es reicht vollkommen für den angedachten Zweck. Die Mission wird auch mit CMP 2010-02 bezeichnet.
Die knapp 20 Seiten werden kaum von Illustrationen aufgebrochen und nach einer wirklich kurzen Einführung geht es direkt ans Eingemachte. Abgeschlossen wird der Band durch ein Debriefing Log, welches kurz die Ziele des Runs zusammenfasst und zur Weitergabe an den nächsten Spielleiter auf dem nächsten Con gedacht ist.
Schon hübscher ist Teil 2 aus dem Paket. Das Cover zeigt einige Szenen aus der Mission als Collage und wirkt dabei etwas wirr. Das Innenleben ist in Farbe, wie gewohnt von vielen englischen Produkten im zarten Blau gehalten. Artwork und Skizzen sind deutlich besserer Natur, wenn auch keine High-End Arbeit. Besonders gefallen mir die Kontakte-Karten am Ende zum Ausdrucken und Ausschneiden und dem Charakter beilegen. Die Missionsnummer dieses Abenteuers ist SR4 04-05.
Inhalt
Beide Missionen bauen inhaltlich aufeinander auf. In Copycat Killer ersteht der Mythos um einen psychopatischen Metamenschen-Mörder wieder auf, als die Tochter eines orkischen Hehlers getötet wird. Eigentlich wurde der Mörder vor Jahren von Knight Errant gefasst, doch nun treibt er wieder sein Unwesen und entstellt seine metamenschlichen Opfer, bevor er sie ausbluten lässt.
William MacAllister ist nun einzig und allein getrieben vom dem Gedanken an Rache für seine Tochter und heuert ein Runnerteam an, der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen und Ihm den Mörder, vorzugsweise lebendig, zu bringen.
Die Mission ist in 8 sehr linearen Szenen mit möglichst wenigen storyseitig ungewollten Komplikationen aufgebaut. Jede Szene wird beschrieben mit einleitenden Worten, die man vorlesen soll, mit Hintergrundinformationen zu der Szene und mit möglichen Gegnern. Damit die Spieler auch schön auf der Eisenbahnschiene bleiben, wird in einem Extrabereich kurz erklärt, was man machen kann, um die Spieler wieder zurück ins Gleis zu holen.
Die Geschichte selbst weist wenige Überraschungen und Wendungen auf, lediglich einige mögliche Hindernisse und ist ziemlich straight. Erst beim obligatorischen Showdown kommen kleine Überraschungen auf. Im Vorwort wird noch erwähnt, was man machen kann, um das Spiel weniger zu lenken und mehr durch die Spieler gestalten zu lassen. Ohne diese Freiheiten wird die Spielzeit auf ~4 Stunden angesetzt. Ort der Handlung ist Seattle, aber wie sollte es anders bei offiziellen Abenteuern sein. Seattle ist immerhin DIE Shadowrun-Stadt.
Band 2 führt diese Geschichte weiter. Ein Jahr ist vergangen. Auch wenn hinter dem Mörder noch ein Fadenzieher stand, wurde er nicht gefunden. Nun sind die Informationen deutlicher und MacAllister möchte das Team auf den Fadenzieher ansetzen. Dieser aber hat herausgefunden, wer Ihm auf den Fersen ist und verhindert ein Zusammentreffen der Runner mit MacAllister. Tosh, ein Freund des Orks, der bei Knight Errant arbeitet kommt hier als Hilfe in der Not und hilft dem Runnerteam, den Spuren des Fadenziehers zu folgen. Eine neue Partei schaltet sich ein und versucht die Runner von der Fährte zu bringen, wurde aber selbst in die Irre gelenkt. Letztendlich kulminiert alles in einer schwer befestigten Anlage einer sehr bekannten Metamenschen-hassenden Vereinigung. Den Endkampf würde ich als sportlich bezeichnen, die Möglichkeiten für Spielercharaktere zu sterben sind mannigfaltig.
Abgeschlossen werden beide Bände durch Informationen zu NSCs, deren Agenda und spielrelevanten Werte.
On a silver platter geht einen freieren Weg der Handlungsentfaltung. Auch hier finden einzelne Szenen, die aufeinander aufbauen, die Möglichkeiten sich innerhalb der Szenen zu bewegen, ist jedoch größer und auch freier gestaltet. Optionale Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten werden besprochen, wie auch mögliche Hilfestellungen für die Spielercharaktere, wenn diese sich verfranst haben oder in einer auswegslosen Situation stecken. Man merkt dem Produkt an, dass es mit mehr Reife geschrieben wurde.
Neue Möglichkeiten finden sich hier auch. Im Rahmen der Handlung können Spielercharaktere Beziehungen zu Vereinigungen aufbauen oder diese auch wieder zerstören. Damit geht ein Reputationslevel einher, der wiederum spielrelevante Auswirkungen hat. Wieder kann man sich die NSCs, die man trifft, als Kontakte anlachen. Das Verhalten und der mögliche Erfolg in diesem Run bestimmen auch die Werte Notoriety, Public Awareness und StreetCred(ibility). Das wird wiederum Auswirkungen auf folgende Missions haben.
Sehr schade finde ich, dass jede Mission anders enden kann und dieses nicht in dem nachfolgenden Auftrag aufgegriffen wird, so dass z.B. verschiedene Einstiegspunkte gegeben werden.
Beide Runs machen auf mich einen in sich stimmigen Eindruck, kleine Fehler außen vor. In einer Szene muss sich ein Troll bücken, um nicht mit den Hörnern an die Decke zu stoßen, aber auf seinem Bild schmiegen sich die Hörner ans Kinn. Sowas zum Beispiel, kleine, nicht weiter wichtige Dinge. Was mir nicht gefällt ist der sehr lineare Aufbau. Hier würde mir ein Diagramm, welche Szenen wie zusammengestückelt werden können, besser gefallen als der stumpfe Weg von A nach B mit dem optionalen Umweg C.
Sprachlich sind beide Missionen ansprechend und bieten durchaus interessante Schauplätze und Einblicke in die sechste Welt.
Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis
Naja, für 3,95 USD kann ich wahrlich nicht meckern. Will ich auf einem Con eben schnell was leiten, bieten sich die Missionen gerade zu an. Will ich das Ganze daheim mit Freunden machen, muss ich mich natürlich schon etwas mehr damit auseinander setzen und die Handlung freier gestalten. Bei dem Preis kann ich auch keine hochwertigen High-End-Illustrationen erwarten. Preis und Inhalt stimmen. Auf andere Cyberpunk-Systeme lässt sich die Handlung nur schwer anpassen, da schon sehr archetypisch auf Shadowrun zugeschnitten.
Fazit
Ich mag die Idee, offizielle Kampagnen auch zum Download zu stellen, selbst wenn sie bezahlt werden müssen. Wenn auch eher am Rande, kann ich hier den Metaplot direkt miterleben und habe ein Stück weit mehr das Gefühl, Teil des Spiels zu sein.
Zugegeben, die Abenteuer sind schon eine deutliche Railroad, das schmälert den Spielspass. Dass man als SL sogar Texte vorlesen soll, wenn eine Szene beginnt, unterstreicht den Charakter, macht aber auch deutlich, dass offenbar einige Spieler auf Conventions möglichst schnell möglichst viel Inhalt wollen und daher gewillt sind, auf freie Beschreibungen zu verzichten.
Was mir wirklich gefällt, ist die Idee für jede einzelne Mission. Nicht zu episch, nicht zu profan, eigentlich genau im Mittelfeld und daher gut spielbar. Ich würde vermutlich einiges umbauen, wenn ich diese Missionen leite, aber das ist mein eigener Geschmack.
Falschmachen kann man als Shadowrunner für diesen geringen Preis eigentlich nichts.
Erscheinungsbild 2.5v5
Ich habe auch schon deutlich hübschere SR Bücher gesehen. Diese hier sind am unteren Ende der Skala.
Inhalt 3.5v5
Flüssig spielbare Missionen, etwas zu sehr in ein Schienenbett gegossen, aber mit interessanten Einblicken in die sechste Welt
Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis 4v5
Zwei vollständige Runs für unter nen Fünfer? Was kann man da schon falsch machen?
Gesamt 3.5v5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Street Legends is a collection of characters and fiction for the world of Shadowrun, useful for getting a feel for how the official Shadowrun world fits together with its power players. While some of these characters may be able to be used in high powered game, very few are suitable for inclusion in anything less high flying. Adventure hooks are implied in the character write up but some explicit adventure seed and scenario ideas would have made this book more useful.
Shadowrun: Street Legends is a sourcebook of some of the major players of the Shadowrun world ranging from hackers to dragons, fixers to deposed princes and corporate raiders interspaced with a fair amount of insetting fiction. Each of the just over 30 characters gets a full history and discussion, with questions about their accuracy embedded, and a complete character write-ups. While it is an impressive collection of intriguing characters, it is difficult to see how they would be easily integrated into anything but a campaign with power players.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Originally posted at: http://diehardgamefan.com/2012/07/27/tabletop-review-shadowr
un-mil-tech-spec-2/
Mil Spec Tech 2 is another in Catalyst Game Lab’s line of Shadowrun stat block supplements. Much like Parabotany, Used Car Lot and Gun Heaven 2, you’re getting a bunch of stats with a running theme thrown slapped together in a little supplement with JackPoint flavor text and some full colour art to complete the deal. The theme of Mil Spec Tech 2 (not to be confused with Tech Specs from the old Generation One Transformers), is that Glitch (a famous Shadowrunner in the metagame) has acquired the newest Ares (a Megacorp) security catalog. What follows are twenty-nine pages from the catalog, coupled with commentary from the participants of JackPoint and of course, stat blocks for each item.
Remember that all the items in this supplement are high level military items that are expensive even for a small country, so PCs should rarely get a hold of any of them. Rather, they’re going to be on the receiving end. With one of the submarines even Kane (one of the more outlandish and badass Shadowrunners on JackPoint) remarks he wouldn’t think of stealing it as every corporation and government on Earth would try to kill you dead for doing so. Of course, some gamers are going to read that and in true powergaming/munchkin style want to steal one. If you’re the one running Shadowrun for your friends, try not to let the items contained within this supplement turn your campaign into a Monty Haul affair, because some players WILL try and do just that.
So what’s IN Mil Spec Tech 2? Well, at only thirty-one pages, not a lot, but at least what’s here is pretty interesting. You’ve got five drones (one air one robot, three land), two APCs (Armoured Personnel Carrier), an infantry carrier, two missile launching trucks, a VTOL, a stealth bomber, two fighter planes, a frigate, a submarine, a destroyer, three guns, a torpedo, a defense laser, and finally, eleven types of missiles. So that’s thirty-three exotic items that are, while interesting to read about, are things that the vast majority of PCs will never come in contact with unless you are doing a campaign revolving around the Aztlan-Amazonian war down in South America. So to really get any use out of this supplement (other than the joy of reading it), you’ll want to craft an adventure revolving around some of these. Perhaps breaking in to a military base to extract a person, or blow up the new 5.2 million frigate. It’ll take a bit of work to fit anything within Mil Tech Spec 2 into your Shadowrun campaign, but if you can come up with a quality adventure, then the results will be memorable.
At $7.95, it’s hard to recommend something like Mil Spec Tech 2Shadowrun player. While this is a very well written piece with some nice exotic equipment and armaments, the cost is just too high for what you’re getting – especially when this is a very niche product in the first place. When I look at things like the Shadowrun Missions that only cost $3.95 and are also in full colur and roughly the same page length at Mil Spec Tech 2, I find myself wondering why the more useful product is half the cost as a stat dump piece. I think CGL has sort of screwed themselves by offering so many high quality supplements and adventures at a far more affordable price. Then the stat dump pieces, which have far less content and mediocre art, become far less appealing when looked at discerningly. I think the sweet spot price-wise for something like this is going to be around $4.95. Otherwise you’re just paying too much for too little. This is definitely a step up from Used Car Lot in terms of quality, but it also has three less pages so checks and balances, I suppose. Parabotany is another great example of the stat dump concept done right by CGL. It’s the same idea, layout and blocking at Mil Tech Spec 2. It even has the same price point. Parabotany, however, has a page count of 51 compared to 31 and so you’re getting a much bigger bang for your buck there.
In all, I can’t really recommend this supplement unless you pick up everything CGL puts out for Shadowrun. It’s a nicely done piece, but the cost of Mil Tech Spec 2 doesn’t line up with what you’re actually getting – both in terms of page count and content. Wait for a price drop and then pick it up. You might not get much use out of it in an actual game, but it will be a fun read.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Just have to love this. Wonderful to see all the old vehicles from earlier editions given som love. A really good walk down memory lane and also a useful little book for SR4.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Mil Spec Tech 2 is a great addition to the selection of toys and the headaches that any respectable runners may run into. Although if you see some of the heavy-hitters in this pdf coming your way, any runner with half a brain will lay low!
Included in this full color, 31-page sourcebook pdf are drones, military vehicles (air and land), a handful of guns and even a selection of missiles and torpedoes! Basically just a little something to get a rigger's mouth watering, I should think.
Just to be clear, this supplement is something I would only consider using for a well-seasoned SR campaign, as the equipment is nothing you would see on a typical street run. We're talking big-time arms dealing here, chummers!
Mil Spec Tech 2 is a fun read, and you get just about what you would expect for the price; although a table of contents would have been nice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
‘Used Car Lot’ is a supplement which I can see having a great longevity on my bookshelf, in the same way the ‘Riggers Black Book’ has stood the test of time. The main premise here is that sometimes runners either don’t have a lot of nuyen to throw around, or simply need a vehicle for a single purpose or run. In those times, cheap and (generally) reliable are the watchwords and the vehicles in this catalogue deliver.
There are twenty-six vehicles in the first section to choose from and cover the opulent (like the Rolls Royce Phaeton), the sleek and fast bikes (such as the older Yamaha Rapier, and its armoured and awesome big brother the BMW Blitzen 2050), off-road campers (the Ford Bison and the more luxurious Rolls Royce Prairie Cat) and those that simply scream ‘action chase scene’ (take one look at the Lockheed-Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle – you’ll see what I mean). Land rovers, pickup trucks, sedans, armoured assault vehicles (including a win for DocWagon) and a moped for the environmentally conscious runner round off the section.
‘From Across the Pond’ then deals with a selection of Eurocars, and opens with a Troll-sized motorcycle guaranteed to make it onto your players wishlists. The rest is certainly interesting and well worth including; although the Eurocar President looks a small conversion job away from becoming a Batmobile (and has halfway decent armour to back up this imagery).
The art is all appealing, the layout clear and designed for quick reference and the content extremely practical. For the (re)usability of this product, the pricing is excellent, and so it deserves richly all five stars from this reviewer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Originally posted at: http://diehardgamefan.com/2012/07/23/tabletop-review-shadowr
un-used-car-lot/
Used Car Lot is a Shadowrun supplement, in the same vein as Parabotany or the Gun Heaven series, in which you are given a collection of in-game stats for a variety of items. In the case of Parabotany, we saw magical plants of all kinds. In the case of Used Car Lot, we’re getting thirty vehicles that can be used in your game. Mileage with a product like this will vary (no pun intended) as it all depends on if you really need an eight dollar book containing nothing but vehicle stats. Personally, it’s not something I would ever need, but some GM’s have neither the time nor ability to think up new vehicles, so there is a definite audience for this product – it’s just not for me. Especially with that eight dollar price tag. Parabotany had the same price tag, but was seventeen pages longer, and as flora isn’t something the average GM thinks of, it was a far more interesting and useful product.
As with nearly all Shadowrun products, Used Car Lot is written form the point of view of JackPoint, a Matrix based chatroom of sorts geared towards the most elite Shadowrunners out there. With each vehicle’s stats, you are given commentary by runners. Generally it’s about the vehicle in question, but there may also be some conversation or a snide remark snuck in there as well. The in-game commentary is definitely the highlight here.
Oddly enough, the supplement is divided into two sections: one for North American vehicles and one for those found elsewhere. This seemed strange to me at first, because I would have assumed that in 2070, especially with corporations having more control of the world than governments (although we could say this is already the case IRL…), there wouldn’t be closed borders to certain vehicles like there are now. That doesn’t seem to be the case here, as four of the vehicles appear to be Eurasian only.
That’s pretty much all there is to Used Car Lot. There’s just not a lot of substance to this piece. Half of each page is mediocre artwork followed by one to two paragraphs about the vehicle in question and then a stat block. That’s really skimpy, especially for the price tag and page count. CGL could have done a lot more with the concept. Unfortunately, what’s here doesn’t justify the price tag. Again, if you’re incapable of designing vehicles yourself and/or you don’t want to use ones in the core rulebook, Used Car Lot might serve a purpose, but otherwise this is an easy supplement to pass up. Below is a list of vehicles contained within the supplement in question.
Thundercloud Pinto (Motorcycle)
BMW Blitzen 2050 (Motorcycle)
Honda Viking (Motorcycle)
Entertainment SYS Papoose (Motorcycle)
Yamaha Rapier(Motorcycle)
Rolls Royce Phantom (Limo)
Ford Canada Bison (RV)
Rolls Royce Prairie Cat (RV)
Lockheed-Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle (Dune Buggie)
Ford Americar (Sedan)
Toyota Elite (Sedan)
Gaz-Willis Nomad (Truck)
Land Rover Model 2046 (Land Rover)
Nissan-Holden Brumley (SUV)
Honda-GM 3220 (Sports Car)
Saab Dynamit 778 TI (Sports Car)
Leyland-Zil Tsarina (Sub-Compact)
Mitsubishi Runabout (Sub-Compact)
Volkswagen Elektro (Sub-Compact)
Conestoga Trailblazer (Semi)
GMC 4201 Series (Transport Vehicle)
Ares Mobmaster (Armoured Personal Carrier)
Doc Wagon Citymaster (Ambulance)
Leyland-Rover Transport (Van)
Renault-Fiat Eurovan (Van)
Volkswagen Supercombi III (Van)
BMW Trollhammer (Motorcycle)
Eurocar President (Limo)
Volkswagen Lingus (Station Wagon)
Scania VM 42 (Heavy Transport)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Log In 
