Cyberpunk RPGs

[Kaladhan]

Hi everyone,

I'm itching to start another shadowrun mini-campaign. I like to alternate between a long campaign and small scenarios. And since we only play once per month for my long campaign, that leaves me enough time for a mini-campaign of some sort.

I always had one major problem with shadowrun, being in part the magic, and also with the metahumans. Do you have any suggestions for an RPG game similar to shadowrun but without those elements?

 

[Subumloc]

Hi everyone,

I'm itching to start another shadowrun mini-campaign. I like to alternate between a long campaign and small scenarios. And since we only play once per month for my long campaign, that leaves me enough time for a mini-campaign of some sort.

I always had one major problem with shadowrun, being in part the magic, and also with the metahumans. Do you have any suggestions for an RPG game similar to shadowrun but without those elements?

Well, there's Cyberpunk 2020... but from my experience with Shadowrun, I think you could safely put up a mini-campaign without magic and metahumans. In other words, strip it of the fluff to save you and your group the hassle to learn a new game system. Just my two cents of course.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Interface Zero* would be my pick, these days (actually, it *is*.) It's really quite well done, and it has much more modern sensibilities [than most other cyberpunk games out there], in terms of setting themes and content.

The only major thing lacking. . . is a print version. Well, currently. No doubt they'll put one of those out soon enough.

Another book worth looking at, IMO, is Ex Machina, a Tri-Stat book produced by Guardians of Order, now (of course) out of print. System-wise, you'll probably either love it or hate it. I don't love it, FWIW. But it's not just one setting; it's four, each by a different writer. Lots of usable stuff here.


* Link to the publisher's page: RPGObjects (which EN World has 'auto magicked' into a link titled 'RPGObjects' - a not quite accurate, and certainly unwanted, transformation from a simple (i.e., untitled) link.)

 

[jdrakeh]

SLA Industries substitutes genetic alteration for cyberware (the world moved past its 'chrome' phase long ago, and the inhuman results thereof still stalk the Cannibal Sectors looking for prey) and psychic powers for magic, while cranking the drugs, violence, corporate conspiracy, omnipresent media, and horror up to ten. Then it breaks the knob off. It's a good look at what most 'cyberpunk' settings may evolve into, should they stay on their current path.

On a more down to Earth note, I really enjoy simple cyber-future games like TWERPS Robo Punks (from Gamescience) and Space Ninja Cyber Crisis XDO (from Crucible Design), both of which will set you back less than $10.00 (though you do need the TWERPS core rules to use Robo Punks). The former is a slick little parody of Cyberpunk (the game), while the latter is the closest thing to a Ghost in the Shell RPG that I've ever seen. I believe that you can snag both at Noble Knight Games.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

You can do Shadowrun without the magic and metahumans..but my preference has been CP2020 for quite some time...

altho Aus Snow's recommendation of Interface Zero is leading to off to follow his link

 

[Dragonhelm]

OGL Cybernet is pretty good. It reminds me a lot of Shadowrun, without the fantasy.

 

[Filcher]

You can do Shadowrun without the magic and metahumans..but my preference has been CP2020 for quite some time...

altho Aus Snow's recommendation of Interface Zero is leading to off to follow his link

Great handle, PS.

And yeah, I'll check out I0 myself here in a sec.

 

[Aus_Snow]

There are some reviews of IZ (or yeah, I0) at RPGNow/DrivethruRPG [OneBookshelf]: RPGNow.com - Reality Deviant Publications - Interface Zero

IOW, rather than taking my fanboi-ish word for it. . .


edit --- Wow! It automagicked the URL correctly this time. Bonus points!

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Transhuman Space together with the Broken Dreams supplement. It's a bit further in the future and more high-tech than the typical cyberpunk game, but otherwise it can capture the mood fairly well.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

You could always do d20 Modern with the d20 Future and d20 Cyberscape add-ons.

Personally I'd just go with Cyberpunk 2020. You can't get better than the real thing.

http://www.talsorian.com/cpindex.shtml