My name is Tim Brannan and this is my blog, The Other Side. This month I am going to review Role Playing Games. I am going to give you my opinions, overviews, reviews and maybe even some fluff or crunch.
ACKS (as it is also known) is what is known as a "Retro Clone", that is it takes a modern rule system (the d20 SRD) and make it emulate an older game. In this case Basic/Expert era (1980-1982) D&D. I discussed Basic D&D during last years A to Z challenge.
ACKS though is more than that. Part of the game's premise is it has a definite beginning and end. In game play characters are limited to 14th level.
Unlike other "Basic" retro-clones (like Basic Fantasy or Labyrinth Lord), ACKS also uses a skill system and complete rules for running and maintaining a kingdom of your own. Typically these kind of rules have shown up in later "Companion" rules.
Depsite the fact that there is nothing here I haven't seen before, I really like ACKS. My son has been playing in a weekly ACKS game and I helped contribute to the Witch class in the upcoming Player's Companion.
Speaking of witches, my own witch classes from "The Basic Witch" and "Eldritch Witchery" are compatible with the ACKS witch. You can use the same spells, traditions and magic with all three. In fact having all three gives you a more complete class.
I have spoken about ACKS before here and here, but the one thing I haven't mentioned is that of the recent batch of retro-clones, ACKS is the best looking one.
Player's Companion promises to be very interesting and hopefully it will take the game to new areas.
Follow my posts for more games!
I really wish I would have gotten into role-playing games when I was younger. I just know I would have enjoyed it immensely!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't do games (probably because of my age) but there are so many correlations between the characters and a writer's profiling that I should explore them further.
ReplyDeleteA to Z of Immortals, Myths & Legends
Great theme :) I love gaming so I'm now your newest follower so that I can keep up with your posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
ReplyDeleteGreat theme you have here. I'll be sharing this with my boys and look forward to your months of posts!
Everquest was my game of choice. - Back in the day.. Lol.
I'm not much into role playing games though I do like the world building and mythology that goes into it. The Ghosts of Albion really looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteI was the D&D wanna be. Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back tomorrow. :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried to comment about 4 times, but it keeps freezing. It also posted my comment to you on my blog about 3 times. Think we are crashing the site by checking out all of these blogs!
ReplyDeleteAn Awesome intro to A-Z! I'm looking into starting a game system, so I'll be keeping an eye out for more :)
ReplyDeleteJamie Gibbs
Fellow A-Z Buddy
Mithril Wisdom
@Shay, I think so. Busy day of reading and commenting!
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about this system but I have to say your post increased my interest quite a bit. I am looking for a D&D to level 14 game to mimic the feel and experience of the B/X sets and this sounds like it.
ReplyDeleteI've dipped into and out of RPGs over the years. They're great (or can be) for honing storytelling or character building skills.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly can be a great imagination stimulator.
This is a great theme. I look forward to learning a lot.
My daughter does the World of Warcraft, and has a great time. So do her little girls whose avatars are cute little creatures. they like to hop around, explore.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with A-Z this month! Never played a role-playing game, except the old school Clue board game ( : Miss Scarlet in the Library with the Candlestick. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeletenice post for A awaiting on your B
ReplyDeletehere is mine at GAC a-z
do check it out too :)
Cool idea for the A-Z!
ReplyDeletePersonally I can't stand pute RPG's, but games with RPG elements can be really cool.
Looking forward to reading the rest of your series!