A modern generic rules light game?

[Zulgyan]

Which modern generic rules light games are out there?

Don't mention:
d20 Modern
Savage Worlds
True20
GURPS

I prefer:
No plot
No specific theme (secret agents, aliens, etc.)
No fantasy

Films that fit:
Ronin
The Godfather
Oceans 11

Films that don't fit
James Bond
Mission Impossible

Thanks before hand!

 

[jdrakeh]

Risus, The Window, and my own Token Storytelling all fit the bill (the examples in Token are all from a fantasy genre, though it's not specifically a fantasy game by design).

[Edit:

These are generic systems. There really isn't such thing as a 'modern generic' system. A system is either generic or it isn't.

You (as noted below) go on to cite specific examples of genre films as examples of what you want. So, do you want a generic system or a good crime/espionage system?

I ask because I have different recommendations for the latter two very genre-specific cases.]

 

[Aus_Snow]

Hm. Depends how light you want your rules, firstly. Also, although you say 'generic' to begin with, you then go on to refer to particular movies, each way. :\

Do you really want a modern generic system? Or would a generic system do, as in, not only modern? Or do you actually want a system that facilitates the kind of action, drama and so on, that is found in your 'films that fit' list, and nothing else?

 

[Darrin Drader]

Gangbusters - the classic TSR roleplaying game, which is available for purchase in PDF format here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=17253&it=1

 

[Zulgyan]

The thing is... I really think that d20 Modern is a good game.

But in order to be perfect for me, I would need it to be:

- much more streamlined in mechanics.
- easier NPC and foe creation and GMing (which d20 sucks at)
- work well without FX at all (the Will save with out FX is totally pointless and that makes Will bonuses classes far worser)
- more realistic and less hollywood (thought not THAT much so as to be playable).

I would like the game to be better to play in 3rd world cities such as mine (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

I have already played 2 campaigns of about ten 6 to 8 hour sessions with d20 Modern set in Argentina. They have been great campaigns, but I would love the game to be more "perfect" for it. One campaign was "Chile with the support of the U.S vs. Argentina - Urban Warfare" and the other one was a "Gangs-political parties wars in Buenos Aires"

 

[jdrakeh]

So you essentially want a game that can do modern action/crime genres but with more verisimilitude than d20, correct?

In this case, Risus is out and so is Token, though The Window may still work as 'realism' is the sole domain of GM judgement and equipment doesn't have any codified mechanical value (the system treats pieces of equipment like movies or novels do -- as prop pieces).

You may also want to take a look at the new Gumshoe games from Pelgrane Press as, if you just ignore the genre-spercific bits, the games present a serviceable generic system that is based in modern times and provides different degrees of lethality (Fear Itself erring the most on the side of verisimilitude).

 

[Zulgyan]

I find risus to be way too light, generic and abstract.

I would prefer a "modern era" game and a bit more defined. More a less like old editions of D&D in bulk of rules.

I would really love a d20 Modern Lite. That would be awesome.

But microlite20 modern is too light.

 

[Afrodyte]

Zulgyan,

Are you familiar with Unisystem? I believe you can get their Witchcraft game for free (Don't worry; you can easily ignore the supernatural stuff and stick to everything else). If not, there are several fan-made renditions of Unisystem Lite.

Also, I think FATE (Fudge edition) might be worth looking into as well.

 

[jdrakeh]

I find risus to be way too light, generic and abstract.

I would prefer a "modern era" game and a bit more defined. More a less like old editions of D&D in bulk of rules.

I would really love a d20 Modern Lite. That would be awesome.

But microlite20 modern is too light.

Gumshoe as it exists in The Esoterrorists (highly skilled individuals in modern setting face conspiracies and/or supernatural terrors, ala Hellboy) and Fear Itself (normal folks in a modern setting face psychotic killers and/or high tension terror) seem like they would work for you. Each game is powered by the same system tweaked to reflect a different power level. If you get both games, you have a good tool-kit set for doing pretty much any kind of modern genre you want (except maybe Harlequin Romance).

Trail of Cthulhu (normal folks versus Cthuloid horrors or pulpy heroes versus Cthulhoid horrors) is a bit more setting specific, though it also presents more rules and specifically addresses some stuff like madness and pulp action genre options (which is pretty much the level of heroism that d20 Modern defaults to). It has two default modes of play, as mentioned above.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Have you heard of EABA, from BTRC? It's a generic system that comes highly recommended, does modern very well, and is what I would call significantly more streamlined than say, d20 Modern. You can use it for as 'realistic' a game as you like, as well, though as it says on the site there, you can scale it for most styles and settings. I think there's a free file called EABAlite, where you can check out the basic rules. 'Stuff!' is also a good purchase, if you do end up liking the core system.

Downside is, you'd probably need to print it/them out. There used to be a print on demand version available, but I don't think there is anymore.