Well I just got this game friday, and I have to say I'm hooked.  Now I like storyteller and d20 so really don't have any biases when it comes to that...but I think this game does alot of d20 "right".  My group just did character creation last night, and I'll be running our first game today, I've got a werewolf, an awakened, a mage and a demon so far.  

I think the way the skill sysytem works is cool.  You pick a skill focus that covers a wide variety of generally connected skills, like Might or Intellect...this determines your cross-class and class skills but also gives you a +2 in the ability associated with it(You know like through actually training in these skills you did get stronger or smarter.).  Next you pick 2 skill themes. These skill themes are slightly narrower than your skill focus and give you 3 ranks in every skill they cover, last but not least you also get skill points to divide anyway you want.

The magic system has already been discussed, but let me reiterate...it is one of the best innovations for d20 I have purchased and will probably use it for way more than MCWoD.

As far as the setting goes...again I like it.  People are saying it is post-apocalyptic, but the area that is full on Mad Max is small compared to the rest of the world.  There are degrees across the U.S. as to how far a certain area has come under the effect of the Nightmare Wave, so it really accomodates a wide variety of setting styles...from full on road warrior mages and mutated packs of werewolfs battling in a desolate wasteland to the more subtle cults of Unbidden worshippers must be stopped by an everyday working joe whose discovered he's an awakened style up to the...what have I become, are there others like me style furthest from the intrusion point.  This IMHO, is the best thing about the setting, we could all be playing MCWoD and have very different play experiences.

Well hopefully today we'll be playing our first game and I'll be able to post an AP sometime this week.

Damn, and my copy still decays in customs.

Quote from: RPGPunditAnd I assume the D20 isn't so changed that it alters the roles of GMs or the rights of players?

Yeah, it runs the same as a standard Storyteller or D&D game - the GM makes the setting and runs the NPCs, the players run PCs that affect the setting and interact with the NPCs and setting. No change from the standards of the Storyteller system gaming except for the mechanics change to d20.

And I love Post Apocalyptic RPGs, so this is a fun read so far.

I can't wait to get my copy...please ship it soon, Amazon!

Quote from: Ghost_FaceAs far as the setting goes...again I like it.  People are saying it is post-apocalyptic, but the area that is full on Mad Max is small compared to the rest of the world.  There are degrees across the U.S. as to how far a certain area has come under the effect of the Nightmare Wave, so it really accomodates a wide variety of setting styles...from full on road warrior mages and mutated packs of werewolfs battling in a desolate wasteland to the more subtle cults of Unbidden worshippers must be stopped by an everyday working joe whose discovered he's an awakened style up to the...what have I become, are there others like me style furthest from the intrusion point.  This IMHO, is the best thing about the setting, we could all be playing MCWoD and have very different play experiences.

Yeah...I got a few ideas for settings/campaigns from reading the book. Like:

*Goverment Conspiracy, just throw in some Dark Matter D20 and things'll get really crazy.

* High-Power human trafficking, I.E. the elder game. High power PC's selfishly trying to move and control "the herd" of humanity.

* Wizards Tower, where the PC's are adventuring cross country, having all kinds of adventures trying to reach the Big Bad Guy (which is actually a Mind Flayer that's become Secretary of Defense).

* Standard Horror, haunted houses/woods/whatever and strange things happeining in the smaller towns.

It is really interesting mix of traditional White Wolf and traditional Wizards of the Coast design. Not that it is just the best of both worlds. It seems to me, it has some issues, but it will need deeper examination to decide.

What I really miss is some merging of the skills like SW Saga.

Jesus K. Reist, it's Rifts D20!


...sort of...

Quote from: C.JayJesus K. Reist, it's Rifts D20!


...sort of...

Yes, it could REALLY go that way.

Really, it will be up to the group playing as to where the game goes since it is an unsupported game line. If things keep getting worse, it can really become a RIFTS d20 setting. If things remain as-is, it can become a dark shadowrun setting. If things get "better" it can become a Dark Conspiracy game. If things go REALLY downhill, it could become Twilight 2000 with kewl powerz.

From what I know, the book is stand alone, never to be supplemented.

It's also freaking awesome.

I finally read it. I have mixed feeling about this.

GOOD:
It is good old d20 system
The recreation of WoD is well done
Spellcasting
Paper, page layout, that kind of stuff
Index
Post-apocalyptic horror idea
Vampires, Awakned, ... as a class

BAD:
Somehow the system is pretty rules-heavy (more than Spycraft), I would vote for less
Skills - they should be seriously merged
Cover art - H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E
Interior art - E-V-E-N M-O-R-E H-O-R-R-B-L-E
Feats - why the hell just Ctr+C Ctrl+V from DnD

NEUTRAL:
Shortstories - pretty atmosferic and nice, but not that good
Fluff - fine but not great
GM section - not bad, but CoC d20 has it better

This game would be great two years ago. Now with SW Saga Edition and other d20 improvements this is seriously step back in design. Anyway I will tweak this issues, so than it should be fine.