Best pulp RPG game

[Glyfair]

I have always had a soft spot for the heroic pulp fiction of the Shadow, Doc Savage, Tarzan, the Avenger, etc. Justice, Inc. started my path in pulp roleplaying, and it carried over to the fantasy pulp of Eberron (still planning my "Doc Savage and Eberron" campaign in my mind).

However, I just haven't really had a chance to play in a pulp game in a long time. I tried a brief foray into Savage Worlds, but it didn't quite work. In fact, I was surprised at how little support there is for the pulp genre in a game that seemed to have that as its base.

I have seen a lot of great reviews of Hollow Earth Expeditions, but a few that make me question how well it works thematically (it seems to be a bit tied to a specific style of pulp), and systemically.

So my question to you is, what game system seems best to you to capture the feel of a heroic pulp game in the early 20th century era? Ideally, I want a system that isn't too difficult to quickly learn, has decent support, and captures the feel of the genre.

Feel of the genre is most important to me. For example, the best espionage RPG I ever played was James Bond because the system captured the feel of the movie Bond extremely well (not that an update today might not improve on it in many ways).

 

[Wik]

Spirit of the Century looks really, REALLY good. Plus it has a SRD kicking around that I'm sure will get posted in about three seconds.

I'm not big on pulp myself, though. I just know that the system looks perfect, and if I ever had an urge to run pulp, I'd go that way.

 

[Nikosandros]

Spirit of the Century looks really, REALLY good. Plus it has a SRD kicking around that I'm sure will get posted in about three seconds.

There you go... (even it wasn't just three seconds )

 

[jdrakeh]

I'm a big fan of Justice Inc and Daredevils, the former of which is a little hard to find (out of print) and the latter of which can still be ordered from Fantasy Games Unlimited via their website (or via RPGNow in PDF).

 

[Storn]

I've run and I've played Spirit of the Century...and it captures the feel of heroic pulp perfectly in my book.

My love of heroic pulp really came from the art side of things as I became more interested in the artists of the day, virgil findlay, george rozen etc. My first PC was developed from a character that I drew twice for Hero Games to illustrate the Sword and Planet type adventurer. It was a throw away idea, but one that always really stuck with me. I think it was the blue butterfly winged princess in the background!!

If you want to see my PC, Hadrian Helm, scroll down 1/2 way in this thread:

[SotC] Post your Spirit o the Century character! I Double Dog Dare Ya! - Page 4 - RPGnet Forums

There are a whole bunch of SotC characters in that thread, a couple of which I've played with. Jim and Paka are both in my group, several of their characters I've played with.

this is a great thread of Pulp visuals no matter what the game system. Warning... long thread!!! Some of my art is sprinkled in this thread too.

[SotC] Inspirational Art - RPGnet Forums

 

[Crothian]

Hollow Earth Expedition. I perfer it to Spirit of the Centuiry and other Pulp games more for the game assumptions of the PCs being more like normal people in extraordinary circumstances.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

I'm most familiar with Torg.

Although it, and the campaign world, are designed with multigenre in mind, the system really sings for pulp. The Nile Empire is absolutely brilliant, and all other worlds end up getting a pulpy feel as a side effect of the system. Just the way the Drama Deck can affect the momentum of the challenge is terrific.

 

[pawsplay]

Adventure! (original, not d20 version) is the gold standard. However, it's pretty heavy on the supernatural and weird science. For a more general game, D6 would probably be my pick.

 

[jaerdaph]

I really like Thrilling Tales for d20 Modern. Adamant has a new version out for Savage Worlds (which I don't play) that looks really good.

 

[TheNovaLord]

Savage Worlds

...what do you mean not enough support....

Triple Ace - Daring Tales

16 very good modules for it right there.