I don't want NO crunch. FU, Risus, or PDQ is for me. I don't want any thing crunchier than Precis Intermedia's "The genreDiversion 3E". I want to be immersed in the story and ride the entertainment wave of where the story is taking me and the characters.
Steven Lincoln I enjoy playing games that others balk at, largely to experience them: I feel a game must be played, not merely read, to be understood. I like detailed tactical combat more than quick and more abstract, plus I like how detailed character construction is part of the game itself. I am not concerned with speed when playing solo, so I indulge. That said, I am not opposed to “lighter” games. Right now, I am in a lighter mood and playing around with questions of how few mechanics are needed to have a roleplaying game.
I voted "Light" but almost couldn't vote. "Mini-Six" medium heavy? I LOL'ed. :) I'd consider Mini-Six to be light. Right there with "The Black Hack" or "Marvel Super Heroes"/FASERIP. Very simple universal core mechanic based task resolution, but just detailed enough to include a full range of stats, skills, etc.
Really it's a toss up between the two lightest tiers, but I selected the BoL option. That's not just for solo games, BTW. However, to answer briefly, they offer enough to push things along quickly without too much fiddly detail to bog down play. Avoiding getting dragged down is very important in solo play.
Well, I can't really pick anything for that, as the level of crunch is not really the determining factor for me. I am more interested in whether there is something interesting about it or something that makes it fun for me.
I rarely have time to play at the moment, but the list of games I want to play solo is long, ranging from "Swords Without Master" (ultra-light, which would be really something new for me) to "Xenoscape" (medium heavy, I guess) to "Night Wizard!", "Monotone Museum" and "Satasupe" (probably heavy in your book). If there are some cool ideas for the setting or cool mechanisms, I am game.
Actual current activity is probably light to medium in your book: "Mythic" (the RPG that comes with the GME), "Libre" (again using the RPG that comes with the solo engine), "Lovecraft's Revenge", "Warrior Heroes Legends", "5150 No Quarter" (those three are THW titles). But that is more chance than choice.
I voted ultra-light for the pick-up-and-play aspect. But I'm in the same boat as other commenters in what I consider light to heavy in regards to the survey.
Unfortunately I'm restricted to 5 options (or I was, maybe that was me...).
And it is all relative. By nature I'm down the very bottom of the light-heavy spectrum to start. Therefore my standard Fudge build is quite similar to FAE as an example.
An explanation of my definitions, FU is what 8 words per characters max, BoL about 15 stats, my Fudge build around 8 with a few options dials from 'vanilla', so MiniSix at around 12 plus dice pools (which are inherently slower as an additive system) seems heavier to me, and BRP is (to me) heavier again.
No two gamers would ever agree what heavy crunch is, so I just worked upwards from ultra light.
Of the list, I’ve only played FATE/FAE, which feels about right for solo. I actually typically use some reskin of World of Dungeons combined with Mythic GME.
Che Webster Which systems do you appreciate more from the "tactical combat" point of view? I tend to share that specific interest, but I am quite ignorant of RPGs, with very few "light" exceptions. I could try a crunchier system if it has potential for interesting solo fights...
BRP is heavy? Really? I was considering picking BRP up, especially Stormbringer and I thought it might be lite. I'm interested in trying out percentile dice RPGs.
I'm looking more and more towards the Black Hack. I'm especially going to check into the Basic Hack. That's looking like the best system, for me, for anything OGL, including D100. Just multiply the stats by 5 and you have a D100 game with the Black Hack rules.
BRP as heavy? Gosh, I play more detailed games than BRP. 😉
ReplyDeleteChe Webster which is cool. Like I sort of said, my own biases here.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure not many people would classify Mini Six as heading towards heavy, but it's all comparative.
Out of curiosity what is it that draws you to 'heavy' games?
I don't want NO crunch. FU, Risus, or PDQ is for me. I don't want any thing crunchier than Precis Intermedia's "The genreDiversion 3E". I want to be immersed in the story and ride the entertainment wave of where the story is taking me and the characters.
ReplyDeleteFAE is my standard. I rarely go heavier unless I'm play testing a new system.
ReplyDeleteSteven Lincoln I enjoy playing games that others balk at, largely to experience them: I feel a game must be played, not merely read, to be understood. I like detailed tactical combat more than quick and more abstract, plus I like how detailed character construction is part of the game itself. I am not concerned with speed when playing solo, so I indulge. That said, I am not opposed to “lighter” games. Right now, I am in a lighter mood and playing around with questions of how few mechanics are needed to have a roleplaying game.
ReplyDeleteI prefer medium crunch when playing in a group, but solo, I think it’s better to go simple.
ReplyDeleteI voted "Light" but almost couldn't vote. "Mini-Six" medium heavy? I LOL'ed. :) I'd consider Mini-Six to be light. Right there with "The Black Hack" or "Marvel Super Heroes"/FASERIP. Very simple universal core mechanic based task resolution, but just detailed enough to include a full range of stats, skills, etc.
ReplyDeleteEverything is relative. I find Rolemaster medium and 3.5 ultra heavy but many would swap those around :)
ReplyDeleteReally it's a toss up between the two lightest tiers, but I selected the BoL option. That's not just for solo games, BTW. However, to answer briefly, they offer enough to push things along quickly without too much fiddly detail to bog down play. Avoiding getting dragged down is very important in solo play.
ReplyDeleteVoted Medium, since most of my solo play of late has been with the GURPS Dungeon Fantasy box.
ReplyDeleteScarlet Heroes is as crunchy as I go. I prefer light shading to ultralight. But not completely freeform.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't really pick anything for that, as the level of crunch is not really the determining factor for me. I am more interested in whether there is something interesting about it or something that makes it fun for me.
I rarely have time to play at the moment, but the list of games I want to play solo is long, ranging from "Swords Without Master" (ultra-light, which would be really something new for me) to "Xenoscape" (medium heavy, I guess) to "Night Wizard!", "Monotone Museum" and "Satasupe" (probably heavy in your book). If there are some cool ideas for the setting or cool mechanisms, I am game.
Actual current activity is probably light to medium in your book: "Mythic" (the RPG that comes with the GME), "Libre" (again using the RPG that comes with the solo engine), "Lovecraft's Revenge", "Warrior Heroes Legends", "5150 No Quarter" (those three are THW titles). But that is more chance than choice.
Yours,
Deathworks
I voted light. My solo favorites: USR, In Darkest Warrens, Microlite20, So1um Expanded and The Black Hack. I like em all.
ReplyDeleteI voted ultra-light for the pick-up-and-play aspect. But I'm in the same boat as other commenters in what I consider light to heavy in regards to the survey.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I'm restricted to 5 options (or I was, maybe that was me...).
ReplyDeleteAnd it is all relative. By nature I'm down the very bottom of the light-heavy spectrum to start. Therefore my standard Fudge build is quite similar to FAE as an example.
An explanation of my definitions, FU is what 8 words per characters max, BoL about 15 stats, my Fudge build around 8 with a few options dials from 'vanilla', so MiniSix at around 12 plus dice pools (which are inherently slower as an additive system) seems heavier to me, and BRP is (to me) heavier again.
No two gamers would ever agree what heavy crunch is, so I just worked upwards from ultra light.
Anyway, I hope it's an interesting survey.
Not sure what to vote, I usually play a hack of brp, but I consider it on the rules light side of the spectrum.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Chaplin I went with the intent, rather than the example, since as others pointed out, it's all subjective really.
ReplyDeleteOf the list, I’ve only played FATE/FAE, which feels about right for solo. I actually typically use some reskin of World of Dungeons combined with Mythic GME.
ReplyDeleteMatthew G. That's an awesome combo! I've been running of those too, but using FU as the oracle.
ReplyDeleteChe Webster Which systems do you appreciate more from the "tactical combat" point of view? I tend to share that specific interest, but I am quite ignorant of RPGs, with very few "light" exceptions. I could try a crunchier system if it has potential for interesting solo fights...
ReplyDeleteevandro novel My favourite is Mythras and I'd put GURPS on the list, along with D&D 5e in some ways. Too many to mention, really.
ReplyDeleteBRP is heavy? Really? I was considering picking BRP up, especially Stormbringer and I thought it might be lite. I'm interested in trying out percentile dice RPGs.
ReplyDeleteDon't let my biases and definitions, which many have questioned, sway you.
ReplyDeleteI found BRP quite clean when I played it, which admittedly was only once. I played 1e WFRP, which is also percentile based, for years without problem.
Pick up the free quick start if you haven't already and take that for a spin, that should give you some idea.
I'm very much down the lighter end of the spectrum and picked accordingly, with own biases and perspective.
I'm not claiming to be the arbiter of RPG weight by any means!
I found this D100 game for free: rpgnow.com - Grit & Glory SRD
ReplyDeleteI'm looking more and more towards the Black Hack. I'm especially going to check into the Basic Hack. That's looking like the best system, for me, for anything OGL, including D100. Just multiply the stats by 5 and you have a D100 game with the Black Hack rules.
ReplyDelete