Episode 227: How To Play Star Wars

If you played Star Wars as a kid on the playground or with the almost endless number of Kenner toys, you probably wanted to try it on the tabletop as a role-playing game. What is the best way to do it? What system would you use? Of the licensed game out there from West End Games or Fantasy Flight Games and also the fan homebrews, which system would you choose? Are there better systems that have never been adapted? We try to cover the topic including what makes a game feel like Star Wars and how you explore the universe without the rules getting in the way. This discussion could equally apply to all games based on popular intellectual properties and how to make a successful translation to the tabletop. Session zero and understanding player expectations as well as what are the limitations of the setting are also covered.

So sharpen those lightsabers and swaddle those HVTs as we dive deep into playing Star Wars as a roleplaying game from three different perspectives.
#starwars #westendgames #pbta #fantasyflightgames

 

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Episode 226: The Rise of Skywalker Review and the Future of Star Wars

Coming full circle and putting to rest Disney’s attempt at a sequel trilogy. Five years ago, we were hopeful for The Force Awakens. Then caught off guard by The Last Jedi. Now listen to what we have to say as the end of the Skywalker Saga is upon us. Alan joins us as we discuss where we were five years ago snd where we are now with Star Wars. What did The Rise of Skywalker do to the franchise and what is the future? Will the Mandalorian and streaming keep fans coming back? #starwars #disney #lucasfilm

Our Last Jedi review:
https://youtu.be/MBQ_ZLt60tw

Our Force Awakens review:
https://www.idleredhands.com/2016/11/28/episode-191-star-wars-the-force-awakens/

Idle Red Hands on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/idleredhands

Follow Idle Red Hands:
https://twitter.com/idleredhands
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Video: The Rise of Skywalker Review and the Future of Star Wars

Coming full circle and putting to rest Disney’s attempt at a sequel trilogy. Five years ago, we were hopeful for The Force Awakens. Then caught off guard by The Last Jedi. Now listen to what we have to say as the end of the Skywalker Saga is upon us. Alan joins us as we discuss where we were five years ago snd where we are now with Star Wars. What did The Rise of Skywalker do to the franchise and what is the future? Will the Mandalorian and streaming keep fans coming back? #starwars #disney #lucasfilm

Our Last Jedi review:
https://youtu.be/MBQ_ZLt60tw

Our Force Awakens review:
https://www.idleredhands.com/2016/11/28/episode-191-star-wars-the-force-awakens/

Idle Red Hands on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/idleredhands

Follow Idle Red Hands:
https://twitter.com/idleredhands
https://www.facebook.com/IdleRedHands/
https://www.twitch.tv/idleredhands
https://www.instagram.com/idleredhands/

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Episode 221: Interview with Ken Spencer from Why Not Games for Rocket Age 5E

Ken Spencer talks to us about the Why Not Games Kickstarter for the adaption of Rocket Age to “the world’s greatest role-playing game” 5th edition. He also talks about the inspiration for the setting and also their plans to keep all books for Rocket Age available in both “classic” version, using the original Vortex system, and the DnD 5e ruleset. If you like pulp science fiction with a modern 1930s viewpoint and only ever play DnD, check out Rocket Age 5e.

Rocket Age 5e Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/whynotgames/rocket-age-rpg-for-5e

What Not Games:
http://www.whynotgames.com/

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Video: Mutant: Mechatron – Rise of the Robots LONG Review

Another deep dive into an RPG where we have both read the book and played a few session. This time it is Mutant: Mechatron – Rise of the Robots by Free League. It uses their Year Zero Engine, d6 dice pool system, and although it is a stand-alone game your robots can play with characters in both Mutant Year Zero and Genlab, once they escape Mechatron-7. We give you an overview of the system, character creation and the setting. Also a discussion of the surprising challenge of playing self-aware robot player characters. If you are familiar with Mutant Year Zero this is a great new take on post-apocalyptic characters and if you are new to the system and setting, it is well worth your time. Find out if this game is for you as we dive deep into Mutant: Mechatron.


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Episode 216: Creature Feature : Robots

Also check out our shorter video discussion of robots in TTRPGs on our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/idleredhands

Robots, androids, replicants. They are called by many names and have a variety of origins and motivations. How can they best be used in your TTRPGs? Find out in our discussion about using robots in your tabletop campaigns, both as antagonists and protagonists. For additional inspiration, we also give you a list of possible campaign ideas (thank you, GURPS!).

In the tradition of our Creature Features, we watched the 1980 scifi film Saturn 3, starring Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel, and Farrah Fawcett. It includes some interesting examples of how to use a robot as an RPG character, even if it failed in its use of the robot as a movie character.

[powerpress]

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Video: Creature Feature: Robots

Using robots in your TTRPG campaigns? What questions should you ask yourself when you include them? We have a list of campaign ideas using robots to help you out, and we discuss how to play them both as antagonists and protagonists.

Also in the tradition of our Creature Features, we watched the 1980 scifi film Saturn 3, starring Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel and Farrah Fawcett. Regardless of its failings as a scifi horror film, it does include some interesting examples of how to use a robot as a character. And Farrah Fawcett. She is in the film. Did I mention that?

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Video: Star Trek Adventures RPG Review

In our short review of the Star Trek Adventures RPG by Modiphius, we give an overview of the contents of the book, game mechanics and our thoughts on how well the game system reinforces the setting. For a longer discussion, please check out our audio review on this channel with an extra hour of impressions and explanation: https://youtu.be/4lTzel99fyY

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Episode 205: Star Trek Adventures RPG

Two Star Trek fans guys who have seen some Star Trek episodes review the latest 2d20 game, Star Trek Adventures. We answer all of the important questions. Do you need to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy the game? Can the game make you a Star Trek fan? Is this an improvement on the 2d20 system? Does the system match the universe? Does it have starships? Can you play a Borg hottie? Listen and find out!

Audio for this episode is also available on YouTube

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Video: Star Trek Discovery Season 1 Part 1

Come for the two-part discussion of the first five episodes of Star Trek: Discovery; stay for the bad posture. In part 1, we talk about how “Trek” Discovery is and what we think of the story and episodes. We also walk you through how the lighting has progressed through the different series (yes, lighting). We also answer the question: Is this is the Trek for millennials and vegans? (Finally! Something for millennials.) Let us know who wins the debate how in-character Burnham’s actions are.

For the full discussion listen to our podcast:

Episode 203: Star Trek: Discovery Pt.1

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