Double Cross: The Hits of 2013 just keep on coming
About a month ago, whilst I was deep in discussion regarding Tenra Bansho Zero, I became aware of the imminent release of an English translation version of the Double Cross RPG. I knew of the Double Cross RPG as it is one of Japan's most popular RPGs, made by the same company as Tenra Bansho Zero and is also AndyK's (the translator of Tenra Bansho Zero) favourite RPG.
The weird thing was that a translated RPG takes time, and a Japanese translated RPG more so. However, almost no one had heard about this until the translator appeared with the book about to go to print. This rang all sorts of warning bells including wildly unrealistic expectations, scams and shoddy translation work. However, the translator released the book true to his word, and I grabbed a copy.
Needless to say I am very impressed with what I got. Its too early to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes the top spot for 2013 (in a year with the likes of Golden Sky Stories, Exalted 3e and many other notable releases) and either threaten my existing top 5 (maybe even top 3) RPGs.
Enough with the gushing, on with the detail. Double Cross is a dark conspiracy superpowered RPG. The RPG centres on people called Overeds, who are given superpowers by a virus, and the use of those powers threatens their sanity and humanity. Many Overeds have already fallen and become monsters. Some of these monsters have become organised. The PCs are Overed who have yet to fall and fight to protect what is important to them, and struggling not to become a threat to what they protect in doing so. The PCs are also often part of an organisation. Its a pretty simple set up but immediately compelling. I normally struggle with a straight "Marvel/DC" superhero set up but this is an amalgam of X-Men and World of Darkness, which I think I will no issues with.
Underneath the set up are the mechanics. The mechanics are simple and elegant, yet they are filled with choices. Character creation is a very simple exercise, yet you come out of it with an idea of what your character is about and given a relative unique set of abilities. It is close to my preferred balance, reminiscent of Exalted if it were much (much) less burdened with complexity.
The game has two clear focuses. The first is combat with epic duels and superpowered fights being common part of any narrative. The power system is filled with specific effects and many are combat focussed. So, rather than just superspeed, you have a power to give extra attacks and another to leave an after image to help dodge. Though this seems limiting, the result will be that combat will have lots of tactical choices, like D&D4e, but without the burden of too many choices, resource management or the battle grid.
The second focus is relationships. The PCs start the game with relationships called Loises (after Lois Lane). These help the players populate the setting around their PCs. They also provide the GM with a way to make the narrative compelling for the player. The player buys into this as Loises that become a complication or antagonistic are called Tituses (after Titus Andronicus) and can be burned by the player for awesome benefits. You won't be as awesome in the final fight unless you have broken up with your girlfriend or your mum has revealed herself as a spy for your nemesis. This system is also very simple in play, and I suspect it will not feel too restrictive.
There are other interesting elements. As the PCs play through scenes, they gain Encroachment which is the thing that turns the PC into a monster. As it rises, it also gives access to better powers. However, it can also lead to the PC's dark side coming out. Again, its direct, powerful yet not complex.
Its not all good stuff. The licence does not include a PDF. Apparently, the Japanese RPG publishers are slow to pick up on the PDF market as they consider media to have fast sale cycles and tend to only make a push for the initial release. Their concern is that PDF would somehow undermine that sales cycle. The result of this, along with the usual first time publisher, is that the book has a fair few proofing mistakes, mostly around copy and pasting of material. On saying that, the publisher has been turning around errata, when identified, in less that 24 hours and promises to send an errata card that inserts inside the book for free to all customers.
Overall, this is a game that I want to run right now and gives me every reason to do so. Its does supers in a way that appeals to me and in a setting that feels like it has lots of potential for stories I like to tell. 2013 is the year that just keeps on giving.
The weird thing was that a translated RPG takes time, and a Japanese translated RPG more so. However, almost no one had heard about this until the translator appeared with the book about to go to print. This rang all sorts of warning bells including wildly unrealistic expectations, scams and shoddy translation work. However, the translator released the book true to his word, and I grabbed a copy.
Needless to say I am very impressed with what I got. Its too early to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes the top spot for 2013 (in a year with the likes of Golden Sky Stories, Exalted 3e and many other notable releases) and either threaten my existing top 5 (maybe even top 3) RPGs.
Enough with the gushing, on with the detail. Double Cross is a dark conspiracy superpowered RPG. The RPG centres on people called Overeds, who are given superpowers by a virus, and the use of those powers threatens their sanity and humanity. Many Overeds have already fallen and become monsters. Some of these monsters have become organised. The PCs are Overed who have yet to fall and fight to protect what is important to them, and struggling not to become a threat to what they protect in doing so. The PCs are also often part of an organisation. Its a pretty simple set up but immediately compelling. I normally struggle with a straight "Marvel/DC" superhero set up but this is an amalgam of X-Men and World of Darkness, which I think I will no issues with.
Underneath the set up are the mechanics. The mechanics are simple and elegant, yet they are filled with choices. Character creation is a very simple exercise, yet you come out of it with an idea of what your character is about and given a relative unique set of abilities. It is close to my preferred balance, reminiscent of Exalted if it were much (much) less burdened with complexity.
The game has two clear focuses. The first is combat with epic duels and superpowered fights being common part of any narrative. The power system is filled with specific effects and many are combat focussed. So, rather than just superspeed, you have a power to give extra attacks and another to leave an after image to help dodge. Though this seems limiting, the result will be that combat will have lots of tactical choices, like D&D4e, but without the burden of too many choices, resource management or the battle grid.
The second focus is relationships. The PCs start the game with relationships called Loises (after Lois Lane). These help the players populate the setting around their PCs. They also provide the GM with a way to make the narrative compelling for the player. The player buys into this as Loises that become a complication or antagonistic are called Tituses (after Titus Andronicus) and can be burned by the player for awesome benefits. You won't be as awesome in the final fight unless you have broken up with your girlfriend or your mum has revealed herself as a spy for your nemesis. This system is also very simple in play, and I suspect it will not feel too restrictive.
There are other interesting elements. As the PCs play through scenes, they gain Encroachment which is the thing that turns the PC into a monster. As it rises, it also gives access to better powers. However, it can also lead to the PC's dark side coming out. Again, its direct, powerful yet not complex.
Its not all good stuff. The licence does not include a PDF. Apparently, the Japanese RPG publishers are slow to pick up on the PDF market as they consider media to have fast sale cycles and tend to only make a push for the initial release. Their concern is that PDF would somehow undermine that sales cycle. The result of this, along with the usual first time publisher, is that the book has a fair few proofing mistakes, mostly around copy and pasting of material. On saying that, the publisher has been turning around errata, when identified, in less that 24 hours and promises to send an errata card that inserts inside the book for free to all customers.
Overall, this is a game that I want to run right now and gives me every reason to do so. Its does supers in a way that appeals to me and in a setting that feels like it has lots of potential for stories I like to tell. 2013 is the year that just keeps on giving.