Bad RPG Collecting
- Thread starter Tetsubo
- Start date
Scurvy_Platypus
Explorer
I tried to get hold of SenZar for a while, but couldn't get the edition I wanted (1st as I recall) for a price I was willing to pay (less than cover). Main difference being that the 2nd edition (or was it just 2nd printing?) the authors apparently tried to be more "mature" and so the game lost some of it's charm while keeping the system intact.
I got a good deal on the Synnibarr books.. 1st and 2nd ed, as well as the Adventurer's something or other. Can't remember the title right now.
SenZar sounded like it actually had a workable game system under the hood.
Synnibarr... I actually think it's got some possibility. The game system I'd ignore entirely. Instead, I think Synnibarr would be a pretty fun "gonzo" setting to run using something like Mutants & Masterminds 1E (I don't own 2E), Blood of Heroes, or whatever your favorite supers system happens to be.
One day I want to run a conversion of Synnibarr, and see just what I can get out of it. I have this dream of the group all being Luchadors, travelling around Synnibarr righting wrongs, dealing with nasty critters (like vampires), and having some good old fashioned wrestling matches.
And maybe the occasional cage match with something like a Sunstone Grizzly; I think that's the one. Flying grizzly bear that shoots lasers from its eyes? Can't go wrong with that.
Things like Synnibarr... on the one hand they're "bad" and yet on the other hand, they've got a lot of charm. The authors tend to be so earnest and miss just how funny their stuff is. Trying to play one of these things seriously? I guess you could. Just like you can watch Plan 9 seriously. But you're really missing some fun if you do it that way I think.
Sometimes I think it's a real shame that the majority of the hobby seems to have become so serious. Take one of these "bad" games, rip out the crappy system and replace it with one you like, and try and engage the game on the same level... I think all kinds of fun can be had there.
So no... you're not alone. It's just that those few of us out there have to act all serious and mature most of the time, if we expect to actually have other folks to play with (or run games for).
I got a good deal on the Synnibarr books.. 1st and 2nd ed, as well as the Adventurer's something or other. Can't remember the title right now.
SenZar sounded like it actually had a workable game system under the hood.
Synnibarr... I actually think it's got some possibility. The game system I'd ignore entirely. Instead, I think Synnibarr would be a pretty fun "gonzo" setting to run using something like Mutants & Masterminds 1E (I don't own 2E), Blood of Heroes, or whatever your favorite supers system happens to be.
One day I want to run a conversion of Synnibarr, and see just what I can get out of it. I have this dream of the group all being Luchadors, travelling around Synnibarr righting wrongs, dealing with nasty critters (like vampires), and having some good old fashioned wrestling matches.
And maybe the occasional cage match with something like a Sunstone Grizzly; I think that's the one. Flying grizzly bear that shoots lasers from its eyes? Can't go wrong with that.
Things like Synnibarr... on the one hand they're "bad" and yet on the other hand, they've got a lot of charm. The authors tend to be so earnest and miss just how funny their stuff is. Trying to play one of these things seriously? I guess you could. Just like you can watch Plan 9 seriously. But you're really missing some fun if you do it that way I think.
Sometimes I think it's a real shame that the majority of the hobby seems to have become so serious. Take one of these "bad" games, rip out the crappy system and replace it with one you like, and try and engage the game on the same level... I think all kinds of fun can be had there.
So no... you're not alone. It's just that those few of us out there have to act all serious and mature most of the time, if we expect to actually have other folks to play with (or run games for).
Inferno!
Explorer
While I don't go out of my way to collect Bad games in particular, I collect games in general - even things I know I'll never actually play. Of course that has led to my fair share of stinkers, including Synnibarr & Reichstar. As I tend to put those purchases out of my mind, I can't think of any others at the moment.
jdrakeh
Front Range Warlock
Reichstar isn't all that horrible but gets deemed horrible largely due to the mistaken assumption that you play Nazis in space -- which is, of course, the exact opposite of what PCs actually do in the game (they actually fight Nazis in space). From a theme standpoint, it's about as pro-Nazi as Indiana Jones movies are. In fact, in many ways, it's Indiana Jones in space. That said, the layout, artwork, and presentation are abysmal (though really no moreso than several early 90s small press RPG like Nightlife or Bureau 13). Thematically, though, I have to say that it is easily the most misunderstood RPG ever published.
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Darrin Drader
Explorer
I have a copy of F.A.T.A.L. on my hard drive and at one point I had the player book for Synnibar, but I got rid of it when I downsized my library a while back.
At one point I went to a game store I asked where the D20 stuff was and was rudely pointed towards a shelf near the back. One of my buddies informed me that the guy hated WotC and D20 in general because he was one of the people who funded and developed Synnibar. Apparently there were still boxes of unsold product in the back of the store years after its initial release.
At one point I went to a game store I asked where the D20 stuff was and was rudely pointed towards a shelf near the back. One of my buddies informed me that the guy hated WotC and D20 in general because he was one of the people who funded and developed Synnibar. Apparently there were still boxes of unsold product in the back of the store years after its initial release.
Tetsubo
First Post
Whisperfoot said:
Where is this place? It might be worth a road trip... like a pilgrimage to suck...
Sorry, but I just can't get past the sheer insanity that is Synnibarr. A game the tells the GM (or "Fate") that they *have* to play the game as written... fruit loop city...
The best review of the game:
http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_4762.html
jdrakeh
Front Range Warlock
As for truly bad games, you need to look at:
deadEarth
Pee napalm due to a mutated johnson! Die during character creation because you're in the general vicinity of water! Fight the most awesome of foes -- giant ants! This game is brutally realistic! Or not. Not at all. Not remotely realistic. Why does the ad copy say that?
deadEarth
Pee napalm due to a mutated johnson! Die during character creation because you're in the general vicinity of water! Fight the most awesome of foes -- giant ants! This game is brutally realistic! Or not. Not at all. Not remotely realistic. Why does the ad copy say that?
Darrin Drader
Explorer
Tetsubo said:
West Seattle. I can't get any more specific than that because I don't remember. It's been a few years.
I ran a NightLife campaign (the splatterpunk-horror play a monster game that predated World of Darkness) but I didn't use their system, I used what nowadays we call 'd20', ie a version of D&D. It made for a fun setting, my version ended up very Anime-ish, a lot like Hellsing (which I hadn't seen), only Dracula was one of the antagonists. Eventually I sold my rulebook though.
I did once own the worst RPG ever, a little gem called Cyborg Commando by E Gary Gygax.
I did once own the worst RPG ever, a little gem called Cyborg Commando by E Gary Gygax.
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