(EDIT: The V2 update, added right after release, fix all of my surface level gripes below! There are now some excellent random tables with lots of fun options for transformations and fractions. I have a great feeling this game will only continue to develop and solidify)
A nice little system for post-apocalyptic wanderings. I like the core dice shifting mechanics, and I'm interested in the Belief track, but it seems like an afterthought without support in game. The infectious transformation selling point is even more of an afterthought (Monster Traits don't even have a spot on the character sheet, nor any example Traits). There is some setting descriptions, but only for the starting area, a place the players would presumably not spend the majority of their time if they are to be adventurous. The small Module that comes with the game is a nice saving grace, but if you are already familiar with the Breathless system, there is very little that is new here. The transformation idea needs to be more fully fleshed out before I could recommend this game as something special. However, for a designers first TTRPG, its preforms its roles admirable and cleanly. I'd look forward to see how the author pushes system boundaries further with future updates or new projects.
Thanks for the feedback! I added you to a thank you page. I realized that the things I left up to narrative freedom are some things you pointed out that felt more like an afterthought. I wonder if this is a blindspot of this originally being an idea for a novel that I decided to make a game instead. I definitely will keep working on this and pushing out updates. Do you think having someone run it as a GM independently of me running it is a stronger playtesting method?
Oh yeah, getting someone else to GM is always the best playtest method whenever possible. I'm going to try to run games of all the tf jam submissions, so I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Narrative freedom is important, but it feels strained because both the Beliefs and Monster Traits are points to keep track of, so to be mechanically grounded while narratively absent just makes them feel abandoned. I see easy fixes for that though, and this is a cool starting place with a lot of potential.
MONSTERS was my Judges choice for the TF TTRPG Jam. Shoot me an email at usducktape@gmail.com and we can see about getting you some signed books, cards, or whatever!
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(EDIT: The V2 update, added right after release, fix all of my surface level gripes below! There are now some excellent random tables with lots of fun options for transformations and fractions. I have a great feeling this game will only continue to develop and solidify)
A nice little system for post-apocalyptic wanderings. I like the core dice shifting mechanics, and I'm interested in the Belief track,
but it seems like an afterthought without support in game. The infectious transformation selling point is even more of an afterthought (Monster Traits don't even have a spot on the character sheet, nor any example Traits). There is some setting descriptions, but only for the starting area, a place the players would presumably not spend the majority of their time if they are to be adventurous. The small Module that comes with the game is a nice saving grace,but if you are already familiar with the Breathless system, there is very little that is new here. The transformation idea needs to be more fully fleshed out before I could recommend this game as something special. However, for a designers first TTRPG, its preforms its roles admirable and cleanly. I'd look forward to see how the author pushes system boundaries further with future updates or new projects.Thanks for the feedback! I added you to a thank you page. I realized that the things I left up to narrative freedom are some things you pointed out that felt more like an afterthought. I wonder if this is a blindspot of this originally being an idea for a novel that I decided to make a game instead. I definitely will keep working on this and pushing out updates. Do you think having someone run it as a GM independently of me running it is a stronger playtesting method?
Oh yeah, getting someone else to GM is always the best playtest method whenever possible. I'm going to try to run games of all the tf jam submissions, so I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Narrative freedom is important, but it feels strained because both the Beliefs and Monster Traits are points to keep track of, so to be mechanically grounded while narratively absent just makes them feel abandoned. I see easy fixes for that though, and this is a cool starting place with a lot of potential.
MONSTERS was my Judges choice for the TF TTRPG Jam. Shoot me an email at usducktape@gmail.com and we can see about getting you some signed books, cards, or whatever!
Amazing! I'm so excited <3 Thank you~