So it should be no surprise that I enjoy similar themed games. I like Alternity Dark Matter and I mentioned the Unexplained earlier. But my favorite has been Eden Studios' Conspiracy X.
So today X is for Conspiracy X.
ConX (as it is called) comes in three different editions. There is the original rules, a GURPS version and the newest Unisystem version which makes system-wise compatible with WitchCraft RPG (but still not thematically compatible). I have all three, but I prefer the newest Unisystem version, not just for the system, but it brings ConX out of the paranoid 90s and into the post millennial, post-9/11 world.
So what is ConX about? Well the basic system is Classic Unisystem so I won't detail that all here.
The premise is that the U.S. Government has been in contact with three different alien races over the last few decades and how they have all these various plans for the world. In addition to all of this there are rival government agencies and all sorts of unrelated (or related) weirdness going on. The focus is much more psychic powers and MKULTRA than the magic and covens of WitchCraft.
Con X 2.0 also has rules for more equipment, weapons, and governmental agencies. The coolest mechanic in the game though has to be the Pulling Strings one. Very useful when working through the myriad of governmental bodies you will need to deal with. These alone make it worth the price if you play any other Classic Unisystem game.
Ok, so my love for the WitchCraft RPG is well known and well documented. Creating a WitchCraft world of adventures, situations or even meta-plots of my own are nearly second nature to me.
But I also like Conspiracy X. A lot. The games are not really thematically compatible and both have very different points of view on magic, gods, monsters and the like.
If you like conspiracies and the X-Files, Con X is your game. If you want to run a paranormal game, but don't want to get bogged down in myths, legends and want your magic to be somewhat more controlled then Con X is your game.
Here is another way to look at it. You are a character in a Modern Paranormal game. Suddenly a glowing figure appears before you. What is this creature? If you say Alien, then play ConX. If you say Demon, then play WitchCraft. Both games can be used for horror, ConX is dark sci-fi, WitchCraft is dark fantasy.
Plus it will be a feature of this years Free RPG Day! So stop into your local game store and pick a free game.
I loved X-files too! And almost did my X post on this today, instead of X-rated. LOL. And you are right it did go on a bit long. I'm not a gamer but this game sounds wicked cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my post on the X-Files earlier today. :) LOVED that show.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, by the end of season 7, the shark had been jumped. You know though, for as shaky as the show became, I thought Robert Patrick did a pretty god job (considering) when he came on board. Too bad it was a sinking ship. Ah well...
:) Hope you had fun during the A-Z!
The games are a bit out of my comfort zone, but that's why I like the A to Z challenge. I get to visit blogs I might otherwise miss.
ReplyDeleteI think I gave up on The X-Files around series three or four, when it became obvious they were making it up as they went along.
ReplyDeleteI owned the original Conspiracy X and the thing was an ugly mess of different subsystems -- a bit like classic D&D now that I think of it -- but it had quite a bit of charm. I enjoyed the ridiculous martial arts system and the psychic powers were clever, and the cell creation system was a brilliant idea. I also liked how all the different elements of the setting were interrelated, ironic given how unrelated the different parts of the ruleset were!
I also loved the X-files :) Great post.
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I have this game. Never got around to playing it, but it is really well written and I like the concept. The unisystem is my preferred version too. Thanks for reminding me about it! :)
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