The Secret Fire is, from my POV, a game you will either like a lot or really dislike. It's an OSR game with pieces of FATE, BRP, possibly 4e (don't know 4e well enough to guess) and I'm sure concepts and ideas from other media / games mixed in. Maybe it's more Rocky Road ice cream then a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but it's definitely a game that draws on more then one prior source or inspiration.
Some folks may like it. I do, I think it works pretty well - or at least reads pretty well. I've noticed comments from others on some of the gaming forums that TSF has activated folks gag reflex. The idea of mixing old with new is a non-starter, sight unseen.
It's not a perfect game by any means. I, for one, don't feel comfortable using descriptor's instead of numbers. I also don't like nuts in my Rocky Road, but it is one of my favorite ice cream flavors. The whole overpowers the individual parts. Besides, I tend to leave the the nuts in the bowl. ;)
How to you feel about mixing old and new?
I like mixing the best of old game design and new game design together. For me deciding on whether I like a game isn't based on oldness or newness but rather do I like the ingredients used and the overall recipe used to combine them.
ReplyDeleteNo harm in it, so long as it all works together and suits the style of the game.
ReplyDeleteWell I published a game that mixes old and new fairly recently so I'd have to say it's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the question is: Does it mix it well?
I think if anyone ever finds the perfect game, there'll be someone on RPG.net that says otherwise :)
ReplyDeleteWhen it gets right down to it, any RPG is based on Chainmail and D&D. d6 degrees of separation as it were.
I'll pull in anything from any source, if I find it useful. My distaste for what I've seen of The Secret Fire, stems mainly from what I see as "mechanics meant to promote/force role-playing."
ReplyDeleteYes. That is all I have to say.
ReplyDeleteMixing was the only option I have ever had with Dragonquest. I like to think I have kept the core game intact while expanding upon it's virtual wardrobe and playing possibilities. It's a real Frankenstein at this point, but it's my monster.
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