What is Your Favorite "Non OSR" RPG?

I figure if you read this blog on a regular basis, you at least have some interest in OSR games (although the definition of OSR varies from gamer to gamer, it's one of those things that we all "know it when we see it";)

I'm looking to see what folks are playing (or want to play)when they aren't playing their favorite OSR ruleset.

Foe me that game is Soloman Kane. Sure, it uses the Savage Worlds system, which I've actually only played once and was fairly clueless, but I love this book with a major gamer's crush, and would play it in a heart beat. I'd run it too, but then I'd actually have to learn the Savage Worlds system well enough to do so ;)

So, what is your favorite "Non OSR" RPG?

First Look at Hollow Earth Expedition

Now that I actually have Hollow Earth Expedition in hand (and not the two free quick starts, which are both very good introductions for the system) I must say I am really impressed.  More impressed than I have any right to be.

Savage Worlds does a lot of things right.  Once you are comfortable with the system, it most certainly does play fast and furious (I'm fairly certain Solomon Kane will be in my list of games to run in the short story arcs).

That being said, I think HEX will play even quicker.

The Ubiquity System, which HEX is built upon (and really should be released as a stand alone core system) is extremely intuitive and user friendly, at least that's what I get from it on my initial read.  The ability to take an average result for non-stressful event determination is a great time saver if used properly.

The secret is even results on a single die are a success.  Roll the number of dice you are rated at for that action (any even sided dice will do), count the even number of successes and compare it to the number of successes you needed to succeed.  The degree you succeed by or fail by will be determined by the number of even results and the target number needed.

It really is a sweet system.

It's also asking me to hack it to either high fantasy and / or space opera type sic-fi.  I must be hanging around too many game designers these days.

I think the space opera hack could be fairly simple (well, relatively simple) compared to the fantasy hack, as I don't believe there is a spell system here.  I may be able to crib the spell system from Savage Worlds for that purpose, but that may occupy more time than I have free these days.

This will definitely been in my short list of games to be run in the short story arcs.

Major thanks to Runeslinger Casting Shadows on G+ for the HEX suggestion ;)

Looking for Post Solomon Kane Reading

I'm slowly making my way through The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane and I'm looking for some "next read" suggestions. Back when I would / could read a novel in a handful of nights I didn't much like short stories. These days, I'm really appreciating the reoccurring lead character in a series of short stories. It fits well with my current reading habits.

So, any suggestions? I'll be reading on my iPad, but I find between the Kindle app and other formats I can read about 98% of what I want without killing trees or requiring more storage space ;)

The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane - Skulls in the Stars

After watching the Solomon Kane movie on DVD last weekend I decided to pick up The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane in Kindle format on Amazon for both my fiancee and myself. Last nite I finally got around to reading the first short story Skulls in the Stars. I must say, I like it.

I'm the first to admit I've never read Howard's original works before. Everyone knows of Conan. I read the Marvel Comics series, played the Play By Mail game back in the day, have the TSR and Mongoose RPGs, watched the original movie and caught some of the recent TV series. Never read a short story or novel.

I think I'm hooked now. Skulls in the Stars held my attention from the first paragraph. Guess I'm back to reading fiction on a semi-regular basis again. It's a good thing.

Saturday Afternoon DVD Mini Review - Solomon Kane

Let me be clear... I do not know much about Solomon Kane with the exception of what I read in the Savage Worlds Solomon Kane RPG.  Oh, and I really need to re-read the RPG, as I forgot pretty much all of his background except for the funny Pilgrim hat.

As a movie, it was pretty good.  Acting wasn't bad, script wasn't too hooky, ending was (like in most movies of it's type) lacking.  Still, it was pretty good.

Good enough to get my fiancée off the couch she was dozing on and get her sitting on the floor in front of the TV.  She was enjoying the fight scenes as much as I was.  Solomon is pretty kick ass.

As best I can tell, the film's story isn't based on any of the Solomon Kane stories the Robert E. Howard wrote, but it tells of Kane's origin.  It's an interesting take on redemption.

It has gotten me to further consider running a game using Savage Worlds, and the Solomon Kane RPG to boot.  Need to dig it out of the storage closet I think.

Of Savage Worlds and Solomon Kane

Last night before going to sleep (more accurately, early this morning) I picked up the PDF of the Savage Worlds Deluxe rules and promptly transferred it to my iPad for reading. I'll try to post some first impressions later today, but I like what I see so far (playing with the system last week sure didn't hurt in understanding the system either - thank you White Haired Man).

Earlier this week I read that Solomon Kane was never released here in the States, not even on DVD. I tracked down a DVD of it on Ebay that SHOULD play on my US Zoned DVD player. I'll find out later today and hopefully have a review.
edit: the DVD plays fine!

Oh, and thanks to the Trollish Delver's blog, I've realized I've missed a few more free RPGs. I'll post them later.

Time willing, I'll also start the capsule reviews of the Free RPG list...