Not a Review - Tribe 8

[demonground]

This isn't a review. For one of those you either have to read the RPG or play a game of it. This is neither. This is a comment on my impressions as I flick through its pages.

Tribe 8 by Dream Pod Nine

Okay, now I know this sounds a bit odd to do such a thing, but the simple act of looking over this book made me want to speak out. Yep, that right,

Comments

[grandexperiment]

Tribe 8 is a fabulous RPG that tends to polarise people (normally over the use of metaplot and first person setting).

It has been in my top 5 RPGs since I first read it in 1998 (is that long ago?!) and the source of my best GMing experience so far.

IMO the art is superb, though I am also a big fan of Ghislain Barbe. However, I can understand that someone can differ on that. On saying that Tribe 8 art excels in one aspect whether you like the art or not - consistency. Barbe does nearly all the art for the lines 20+ books and his vision remains focussed and shows how art can be a real contributor to the setting.

As for the layout, the DP9 guys were highly regarded for this across all their books. They are easy on the eye btoh functionally and artistically. Heavy Gear and Jovian Chronicles are great too.

[demonground]

"Tribe 8 is a fabulous RPG that tends to polarise people (normally over the use of metaplot and first person setting)."

Totally agree - Metaplot is definitely a late 90s fad that was either loved or hated by gamers.

Reading more of Tribe 8 last night, I like the way it builds the background, especially when each consecutive article does something like 'here's what you know, plus this extra tidbit of knowledge'.

I'd also be interested to know the actual plot of the game. I hope they just didn't make the Fatimas evil (although if they turn out to be some sort of Z'bri I wouldn't be surprised!).

One negative point however - I'm currently 40 odd pages in, and I still have no inkling of what , as a player, I'm meant to be doing in the world!

[grandexperiment]

The plot is long (it was split into 5 parts) and has many interesting twists including two relatively major "generational" reboots (after parts 2 and 4). The first 2 parts saw detailed coverage in the first 7 campaign books. The last 3 never got published except to set up the next generation with Capal: Book of Days, but the remaining 3 parts are summarised in 2nd edition.

Fatimas, much like anything in the setting, are not evil. However, their existence and relationship to humans is complicated and not all of it is good. Also each Fatima differs.

PCs are members of the 8th Tribe. As such, the main thing you are doing is surviving against the raft of antagonism in the setting. In a postapocalyptic world that is a struggle in itself.

If you find a way to survive, PCs then get to use their new found freedom in whatever way they want and can get away with :)