Quote from: Planet Algol;635268And what if the Bakshi/Star Trek-esque Nazi Orcs had no foreshadowing, but there was a coherent backstory that the character was unaware of?

Then you, sir, have not properly used your boxed text monologues this evening.

Bah, I prefer my rotoscoped Orc SS unleashed on the party sans any forewarning.

It worked.perfectly well in Baksi's LOTR.

Quote from: RPGPundit;635220Absolutely. Remember that in its original meaning, "gonzo" was firmly grounded on the absurdity of reality (albeit slightly exaggerated reality).

RPGPundit

In other words, Bobobo-Bo Bobobo-bo would not qualify.

JG

Quote from: Hulks and HorrorsInstant Gumbo Cooker: Xenoarchaeologists have discovered that this classic Cajun dish
apparently appears in some form or another throughout the galaxy, a mildly spicy con*
coction of local shellfish, sausage, and rice or similar grains. The Instant Gumbo Cooker is
one of the most popular innovations in ancient food science, and is capable of turning up
to 5lbs. of any organic matter into a tasty pot of alien gumbo in minutes. Value: 5,000cr.
Weight: 5lbs.

Nope. Still not enough.

Quote from: J Arcane;635354Nope. Still not enough.

Swedish Meatballs, Babylon 5.

Quote from: J Arcane;635354Nope. Still not enough.

Yeah, but is it File Gumbo?

Quote from: CRKrueger;635393Yeah, but is it File Gumbo?

There's another kind?

What is too gonzo?

Is Thundarr the Barbarian too gonzo? Is the DC or Marvel superhero universe too gonzo?

There is a big difference between Gonzo and stupid.  Its funny how many people don't seem to get that.

RPGPundit

Quote from: jeff37923;635563What is too gonzo?

Is Thundarr the Barbarian too gonzo? Is the DC or Marvel superhero universe too gonzo?

Bringing up Marvel/DC is interesting.

Because in Supers games, IMO, there is (or has to be) a tacit agreement to "not think about it too much" or else the universe starts to break down.

How much of a factor is "don't think about it" is Gonzo games in other genres?

Quote from: Piestrio;635664Bringing up Marvel/DC is interesting.

Because in Supers games, IMO, there is (or has to be) a tacit agreement to "not think about it too much" or else the universe starts to break down.

How much of a factor is "don't think about it" is Gonzo games in other genres?

On the contrary, many superhero stories obsesses over rationalizing itself. Just have a look at the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, one of the most entertaining theorywank epics of the century,  or check out any recent superhero film where they bend over backwards trying to present a pseudo-scientific rationalization to the audience, when "bitten by a radioactive spider, got spider powers" is more than enough for myself. Ang Lee's Hulk film was literally crippled by this tendency.

Superhero worlds operate under different laws, but there are still laws there. Superman can fly, but it doesn't mean gravity doesn't work. Sure, there are supers books that are Gonzo, but thats mainly because superhero isn't actually a genre, is a character archetype. A broad one at that. Superheroes are a spice added to other genres, like "swashbuckler", "rogue" or "wizard".

Quote from: RPGPundit;635654There is a big difference between Gonzo and stupid.  Its funny how many people don't seem to get that.

RPGPundit

Or maybe the distinction is in the eye of the beholder.

Quote from: TristramEvans;635675On the contrary, many superhero stories obsesses over rationalizing itself. Just have a look at the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, one of the most entertaining theorywank epics of the century,  or check out any recent superhero film where they bend over backwards trying to present a pseudo-scientific rationalization to the audience, when "bitten by a radioactive spider, got spider powers" is more than enough for myself. Ang Lee's Hulk film was literally crippled by this tendency.

Superhero worlds operate under different laws, but there are still laws there. Superman can fly, but it doesn't mean gravity doesn't work. Sure, there are supers books that are Gonzo, but thats mainly because superhero isn't actually a genre, is a character archetype. A broad one at that. Superheroes are a spice added to other genres, like "swashbuckler", "rogue" or "wizard".

For example this SMBC cartoon is one possible outcome of "thinking about it too much"

Quote from: J Arcane;635677Or maybe the distinction is in the eye of the beholder.

Synnibar. Awesome to some, stupid to others.

My upper gonzo limit would be Gamma World the 1992 edition. Sentient plants, rabbits that could turn metal into rubber and humanoid dogs that like to eat hands.