Conversely to the other thread, which were the games or game products that sucked ass this year? Which were just utterly worthless, or deeply disappointing? Which one did you expect would be way better than it turned out to be?

RPGPundit

Weapons of the Gods was rather disappointing.

True20's settings were mostly disappointing.

Quote from: JongWKTrue20's settings were mostly disappointing.

I almost bought that - guess it's good that I didn't.  Were they dumb, or just uninspired or what?

The Arabian Nights setting was cool. The rest was very bland, dumb, or both. Heck, some were not even a setting.


EDIT: Speaking of True20, the Pocket Player's Guide is available now. I haven't been able to find out if it includes the setting-specific crunch (something tells me that it doesn't, which means the book's value as a toolbox goes down a big notch).

Quote from: SosthenesWeapons of the Gods was rather disappointing.

Yeah, I can go for WotGs too.  The layout was horrible and the game was very difficult to introduce to other folk.  While the magic system is neat, it was very difficult to figure out.  The lack of an index sealed the deal, definitely a poor product.

I vote Cyberpunk v3, as the paper version didnt get released until Jan.

Did True20 itself come out this year? If so, jot down that one for me. I got the hardbound, owning only blue rose and thinking that without the tepid setting it might be a cool game. Nah. Nothing I could do with True20 that I couldn't do with another game better.

Edit: Hardbound says released april 2006, so I'll count it.

Tome of Magic. Cool concepts, lame execution. Quickly relegated to the back bookshelf.

Quote from: Caesar SlaadDid True20 itself come out this year? If so, jot down that one for me. I got the hardbound, owning only blue rose and thinking that without the tepid setting it might be a cool game. Nah. Nothing I could do with True20 that I couldn't do with another game better.

Couldn't disagree more I think T20 is the step that D20 should be taking.  They streamline and fix a lot of the leveling problems in D20.

Quote from: kryystCouldn't disagree more I think T20 is the step that D20 should be taking.  They streamline and fix a lot of the leveling problems in D20.

I don't speak for Caesar Slaad, but for my part, I like True20's rules. The problem is the craptacular quality of the settings, IMHO.


Note: Don't confuse True20 with T20, the d20 version of Traveler.

Quote from: JongWKTrue20's settings were mostly disappointing.

Yes, massively.

RPGPundit

Quote from: JongWKI don't speak for Caesar Slaad, but for my part, I like True20's rules. The problem is the craptacular quality of the settings, IMHO.


Note: Don't confuse True20 with T20, the d20 version of Traveler.

I'm not.  T20 to me is True20....but anyway I agree.  The settings were lack luster at best.  But I didn't pick up the book for the settings.  I cared about the rules.

As far as I'm concerned the only real published setting for True20 is the Freeport mega setting they are working on.  That from what I've seen so far is full of greatness.

T20 = Traveller d20.

I don't limit my scorn to the settings. The rules, while slick, totally miss the point of a class/level system to me. If I want something infinitely flexible, point buy systems do it better. Class/level systems should impart form. If they don't do this, then there is really no reason to have classes and levels AFAIAC.

I also think it was a mistake to excise HP and this limits the campaign models I would ever want to run with it.

I should qualify that I am certain there are quite a bit worse products out there, and I still think True20 is pretty slick. It's just that I was limiting my listing to products that I actually own that fell short of my expectations.

I tend not to buy true stinkers.

Ptolus...

I'm sure there are plenty of other products that would qualify, but I just don't pay attention to product lines that I dislike or am not interested in (e.g. Exalted, WoD, etc.).

Quote from: Caesar SlaadT20 = Traveller d20.

I don't limit my scorn to the settings. The rules, while slick, totally miss the point of a class/level system to me. If I want something infinitely flexible, point buy systems do it better. Class/level systems should impart form. If they don't do this, then there is really no reason to have classes and levels AFAIAC.

I also think it was a mistake to excise HP and this limits the campaign models I would ever want to run with it.

I should qualify that I am certain there are quite a bit worse products out there, and I still think True20 is pretty slick. It's just that I was limiting my listing to products that I actually own that fell short of my expectations.

I tend not to buy true stinkers.

To each their own. I don't feel class/level systems should provide any more form than True20's does... just enough form to build on, but still allowing decent (although I wouldn't call True20's infinite) flexibility. I fully support the removal of HPs as well. Even in our DnD campaign currently ongoing we are using the damage track version of GnG rules and loving it. We don't need no stinking HPs

I have to echo the dissappointment with the settings though. I like Caliphate Nights (although I can't really see ever running it, but I might mine it for stuff). I also like the Land of the Crane "setting", but feel it's very light on the details and would require lots of work to get running. I might tap Agents of Oblivion for crunch to use in a True20 Dark*Matter game. Still, I did expect more, especially from the setting search "winners". I'm also looking forward to True20 Freeport.