DriveThruRPG.com
Browse Categories
$ to $















Back
pixel_trans.gif
Dark Streets $29.99 $17.99
Average Rating:4.6 / 5
Ratings Reviews Total
3 3
1 0
1 0
0 0
0 0
Dark Streets
Click to view
You must be logged in to rate this
pixel_trans.gif
Dark Streets
Publisher: Cakebread & Walton
by Aaron H. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/30/2014 20:54:59

The following review was originally posted at Roleplayers Chronicle and can be read in its entirety at http://roleplayerschronicle.com/?p=42912.

Dark Streets is a setting guide for the Renaissance system, set in Georgian London with Cthulhu Mythos and investigative horror influences. I say influences because both of those items influence the setting, but don’t ultimately define it. In Dark Streets, characters take on the role of Bow Street Runners; hired hands determined to fight against the horrors plaguing the streets of London in its less-than-desirable areas. Some of these horrors are supernatural, some are Lovecraftian, and some are just thugs causing problems. It’s almost like taking the FBI and throwing it into 18th century London.

I like Renaissance and I like Clockwork & Chivalry. However, I REALLY like Dark Streets. This is, so far, my favorite implementation of the Renaissance system as it combines some of my favorite gaming elements: horror, intrigue, dark secrets, Lovecraft, and action. Although I know nothing about Georgian London, the overall theme can easily by ported to other locales where law and order suffer and horrors could easily hide in the shadows due to the ignorance of the people and the willingness of the worshipers.

The prominent concept that is quite unique to Dark Streets is playing the role of a Bow Street Runner. By using this role, the setting creates two important things: the characters have a very well-defined purpose and the streets rule. If a setting such as this were thrown into modern times, the police force and whatever special investigative force was created would quickly rid the streets of all these ruffians and whatever else is bothering the public. If the setting were placed earlier, the runners may not have the right tools to survive against so many antagonistic factions. By placing this setting prior to the Victorian era and after the English Civil War, the characters are given the tools they need to survive, but it’ll be a constant struggle as there are so many opposing them. Thus, the setting itself becomes an obstacle that the characters can overcome, but will always have to contend with. And this includes games where many aspects of the Mythos is removed (to balance combat, for instance). The gangs and cults could easily worship simple aspects of the occult, as opposed to the very overwhelming aspects of the Cthulhu Mythos, and the characters would still manage to have a difficult time surviving, but ultimately prevailing, against everything else within the setting.

In other words, Dark Streets is a very compelling setting due to its very basic design elements of setting (Georgian London) and purpose (Bow Street Runners). There are a number of possible adventure ideas, with or without the inclusion of the Cthulhu Mythos. The era its set in is so fraught with danger, in an almost ridiculous way, that it’s hard to fathom that so many people survived it. There are gangs, political rivalries, religious rivalries, vice clubs, cults, corrupted law officials, radicals, and who knows what else. And just think, all of this is shoved into one city… Your adventures and campaigns could virtually go anywhere! I would love to take it to the Five Points area in New York.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Dark Streets
Publisher: Cakebread & Walton
by Rory H. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/28/2013 05:23:06

The first printing of this was a little sparse, and I'm happy to see it's been updated with an atmospheric interior layout. Upon reading it, there is a massive potential for highly intriguing investigation within this setting. The Lovecraftian elements have been done a lot before, but are well illustrated and fit into the grimy London setting pretty well. In fact, the 18th Century seems quite an overlooked era for Cthulhu gaming generally, and sets up a strong 'Bow Street Runner' (protocops) hook that is very useable. The London maps and personalities are well researched, and in all, this is a very good supplemental game for the (excellent) Renaissance rules.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Dark Streets
Publisher: Cakebread & Walton
by Ade J. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/20/2012 16:45:32

What can say about this gem ? As soon as I started reading it I was hooked with ideas galore springing up as to what I could do with it. Georgian London combined with the cosmic horror of the Cthulhu Mythos is a a very potent setting which, like Cthulhu by Gaslight, lends itself to occult mysteries very well.

First Impressions : Good and evocative artwork sets the scene for what is inside the covers. Pages are well laid out and I found that the page background art complimented the writing/font choice well rather than being a distraction.

Introduction : Well written and gives a solid idea of what type of stories can be told with this setting.

Chapter One - London : Informative and entertaining. It gives a good overview of London including fashion, culture, politics, morality and The Bow Street Runners. Do be warned though : It does cover some more Adult subjects than other games in the Renaissance line but it all fits in with the setting. The maps are superb and the locations are well researched. It reminded me of the Victoriana supplement : The Smoke in many ways which is certainly not a bad thing. As a sideline here I would love to see a seperate supplement going into yet more details of the sights & sounds of 1750 London (or other cities) if it was done in the same manner as found here.

Chapter Two - Character Creation : Good additions and options to the core Renaissance rules. This includes Runners & Consultants (the main type of characters that players will be generally using) as well as new skills

Chapter Three - Factions : A large number of new and retakes on existing Factions including my favourite: The Association which made an appearance in the Clockwork & Cthulhu Setting book. These are well written and thought through lending another dimension to the rules.

Chapter Four - The Mythos : The Cthulhu Mythos as it is in the 1700's. It is good to see The Dreamlands here and the way the Magic system works within the Renaissance rules framework. It is written in such a way that someone with no real knowledge about HPL will easily be able to portray the horror aspects within the game.

Chapter Five - Bestiary : A good mix of Mythos and Non-Mythos creatures are listed here including another favourite the Moon Beast. The "core" deities are covered in this section too. Each entry in this chapter contains good information rather than a couple of lines which I am really pleased about.

Chapter Six - Adventures : So as not to spoil things I will simply say Very impressed. Lots of seeds and NPC's followed by a full length scenario called "Gin & St Giles" which looks like a cracker !

Finally we have some ready-to-play Characters so you can jump straight in to play.

Summary : As much a fan as I am of the Renaissance line I think this is the best so far. It combines historical setting with horror and investigation. It also will fit smoothly in with the Core Rules to provide further Character options and it could then be the basis for so many differing styles and genres of play from swashbuckling to political to espionage and more. I would love to see this supported with additional material.

Another superb release from Messers Cakebread and Walton. THE Purveyors of Fine Imaginings.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 reviews) Result Pages:  1 
pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif Back pixel_trans.gif
0 items
 Gift Certificates