Well, we started a journey a few months ago to review all of the Star Trek RPGs that have
been made over the years. When I had started that series, my hope had been to finish up
with Star Trek Adventures the week after the previous entry. We’ll get to that later. We’ve
already discussed the illustrious history of Star Trek RP gaming so I’ll forego that here. Star
Trek Adventures represents the latest in the line, and for me at least, it was the answer to a
long period of hoping for a new Star Trek RPG. Don’t get me wrong, I love the previous
iterations, but a lot has transpired since Decipher’s version concluded in 2007. Naturally,
I wanted to have some officially licensed material that reflects those changes.
been made over the years. When I had started that series, my hope had been to finish up
with Star Trek Adventures the week after the previous entry. We’ll get to that later. We’ve
already discussed the illustrious history of Star Trek RP gaming so I’ll forego that here. Star
Trek Adventures represents the latest in the line, and for me at least, it was the answer to a
long period of hoping for a new Star Trek RPG. Don’t get me wrong, I love the previous
iterations, but a lot has transpired since Decipher’s version concluded in 2007. Naturally,
I wanted to have some officially licensed material that reflects those changes.
Made by Modiphius, Star Trek Adventures makes use of Modiphius’ patented 2d20 system.
It’s a fairly simple system too. Like some of the previous entries in this series, this system
puts its emphasis on the narrative aspect of gameplay instead of the crunchy rules that other
systems bank on. This emphasis makes the system quite a bit more simple than other systems
that I’ve played. To create a character, one needs only pick a race and a profession, then fill in
a few gaps with some backstory, and that’s it. Making a character takes all of about 15 minutes
to half an hour on the long side of things. Some might find the lack of options a bit limiting at
this point, but considering that the system has only been in production for about 6 months, I
can imagine that more character options will be made available later.
It’s a fairly simple system too. Like some of the previous entries in this series, this system
puts its emphasis on the narrative aspect of gameplay instead of the crunchy rules that other
systems bank on. This emphasis makes the system quite a bit more simple than other systems
that I’ve played. To create a character, one needs only pick a race and a profession, then fill in
a few gaps with some backstory, and that’s it. Making a character takes all of about 15 minutes
to half an hour on the long side of things. Some might find the lack of options a bit limiting at
this point, but considering that the system has only been in production for about 6 months, I
can imagine that more character options will be made available later.
Like playing the characters, running games has been streamlined to that narrative theory, and
that makes running games pretty darn easy. Combat is a roll off between characters, or ships,
and skill checks are done by adding two numbers and then trying to roll below the total. You
can see from the character sheet:
that makes running games pretty darn easy. Combat is a roll off between characters, or ships,
and skill checks are done by adding two numbers and then trying to roll below the total. You
can see from the character sheet:
That things are pretty simple. That one sheet in the picture is the only sheet that’s used during
the game. This is simultaneously refreshing, and mildly frustrating. While it’s nice to have so
much leeway in the gameplay, there can be a little too much rope sometimes. While combat is
really easy, and character creation is also really easy, upgrading a character can seem a little
nebulous at times, and definitely takes some practice in order to really understand.
the game. This is simultaneously refreshing, and mildly frustrating. While it’s nice to have so
much leeway in the gameplay, there can be a little too much rope sometimes. While combat is
really easy, and character creation is also really easy, upgrading a character can seem a little
nebulous at times, and definitely takes some practice in order to really understand.
For the most part, I really have no complaints about the rule book. It’s layout is a little disorienting
at first, but once you get used to it, it all makes sense, and it’s pretty easy to use. The production
quality is top notch. The pages are printed with white letters on a black background, although you
can get books that have the opposite scheme now, and this really adds to the feel of the book.
It actually feels like something that you would expect to encounter in the Star Trek universe.The
artwork is beautiful, and you can really tell that a lot of time and care went into designing and
producing this book. What I’m most excited about where this game is involved is the
unprecedented amount of product support that’s going into this line. Besides the core book,
Modiphius has already released a book of adventure modules, a game master’s screen, licensed
dice, miniatures, and tile maps. WIth more promised to be on the way, fans of both Star Trek and
RPG gaming have a lot to look forward to. As you can see here:
at first, but once you get used to it, it all makes sense, and it’s pretty easy to use. The production
quality is top notch. The pages are printed with white letters on a black background, although you
can get books that have the opposite scheme now, and this really adds to the feel of the book.
It actually feels like something that you would expect to encounter in the Star Trek universe.The
artwork is beautiful, and you can really tell that a lot of time and care went into designing and
producing this book. What I’m most excited about where this game is involved is the
unprecedented amount of product support that’s going into this line. Besides the core book,
Modiphius has already released a book of adventure modules, a game master’s screen, licensed
dice, miniatures, and tile maps. WIth more promised to be on the way, fans of both Star Trek and
RPG gaming have a lot to look forward to. As you can see here:
There’s already a lot to buy. There’s so much more on the way, and that makes me pretty excited.
I love all of the other systems, but none have gotten quite this level of product support in the past.
I love all of the other systems, but none have gotten quite this level of product support in the past.
The artwork may have suggested that this system is pretty focused on the Next Generation era.
However, the system takes a more hands off approach to setting. With more generic damage
tables for weapons, and basic write ups on ships and whatnot, the game can be played in just
about any era of the show fairly easily. This is an especially important aspect of the game as there
are a lot of different settings within this vast universe in which to play, and with so many fans of
the show joining the craze, there are going to be a lot of different takes which the open
endedness of the rules allows people to indulge in.
However, the system takes a more hands off approach to setting. With more generic damage
tables for weapons, and basic write ups on ships and whatnot, the game can be played in just
about any era of the show fairly easily. This is an especially important aspect of the game as there
are a lot of different settings within this vast universe in which to play, and with so many fans of
the show joining the craze, there are going to be a lot of different takes which the open
endedness of the rules allows people to indulge in.
My biggest complaint about this new system isn’t actually about the system at all. See, when
Modiphius announced that they were producing a new Star Trek RPG system, I knew that I
would want to get in on some of that action. I worked really hard, and saved a bunch of money
in order to get a whole bunch of the new stuff that would be released. Then in June of this year,
everything went on sale for pre-order. Like a rabid wolverine, I jumped all over the preorder
opportunity. I figured with an announcement that things would be shipping at the beginning of
September, it wouldn’t be terribly long until I was able to bask in the awesomeness of this new
game. However, I don’t think that Modiphius adequately anticipated the amount of buzz that this
game would generate. Their operation was plagued by delays, and setbacks, and their
communication left more than a little to be desired. I had hoped to be getting my merch by the
end of September, but didn’t actually get it until just after Thanksgiving. That’s a really long wait
to endure, especially when one puts a good bit of money towards said merch. Everything worked
out fine though, and now I’ve just been enjoying what the system has to offer. I can only hope
that Modiphius is able to overcome their troubles and stabilize their production and shipping. If
they can get that and a few other wrinkles ironed out, they’ll be set up for crazy success.
Modiphius announced that they were producing a new Star Trek RPG system, I knew that I
would want to get in on some of that action. I worked really hard, and saved a bunch of money
in order to get a whole bunch of the new stuff that would be released. Then in June of this year,
everything went on sale for pre-order. Like a rabid wolverine, I jumped all over the preorder
opportunity. I figured with an announcement that things would be shipping at the beginning of
September, it wouldn’t be terribly long until I was able to bask in the awesomeness of this new
game. However, I don’t think that Modiphius adequately anticipated the amount of buzz that this
game would generate. Their operation was plagued by delays, and setbacks, and their
communication left more than a little to be desired. I had hoped to be getting my merch by the
end of September, but didn’t actually get it until just after Thanksgiving. That’s a really long wait
to endure, especially when one puts a good bit of money towards said merch. Everything worked
out fine though, and now I’ve just been enjoying what the system has to offer. I can only hope
that Modiphius is able to overcome their troubles and stabilize their production and shipping. If
they can get that and a few other wrinkles ironed out, they’ll be set up for crazy success.
Before we tie everything up for 2017, I want to briefly look at one last Star Trek RPG system
that someone suggests I take a look at during the initial RPG review run. This system is called
Far Trek. I have to admit that I haven’t gotten to look at this system nearly as closely as I
would like, but I have glanced over it, and what I’ve seen so far is really promising. There’s
some pretty great artwork included in the core rules, there are quite a few adventure modules
to run, and the system itself is a fairly simple 3d6 system similar to what I grew used to with the
Decipher and Last Unicorn Games systems. The thing that really sets this particular system
apart from the rest that I have reviewed in this series is the fact that it’s produced entirely by
fans of the show who love gaming. All of the material is free for anyone to download and use
right here.
that someone suggests I take a look at during the initial RPG review run. This system is called
Far Trek. I have to admit that I haven’t gotten to look at this system nearly as closely as I
would like, but I have glanced over it, and what I’ve seen so far is really promising. There’s
some pretty great artwork included in the core rules, there are quite a few adventure modules
to run, and the system itself is a fairly simple 3d6 system similar to what I grew used to with the
Decipher and Last Unicorn Games systems. The thing that really sets this particular system
apart from the rest that I have reviewed in this series is the fact that it’s produced entirely by
fans of the show who love gaming. All of the material is free for anyone to download and use
right here.
I can tell that everyone who has touched this creation has done so in love and reverence
towards both the mythology created for the Trek universe as well as the myriad gaming systems
that have come before. There are a lot of things to love about this system. I find that the
character creation is simple and quick. It also features one of my absolute favorite features,
random character generation. I love random character generation! Sure it’s fun to play a
character that you’ve engineered down to the finest detail, but there’s something to be said about
the challenge of letting the dice to literally all of the work and then playing whatever said dice
produce. Making skill checks will seem pretty familiar to anyone who has ever played the FASA
system as these two systems use similar rules for that. In all, even though I haven’t actually
been able to play this wonderful system yet, I can confidently say that it would be a great system
for both beginners and veterans alike. The ‘official’ material is light on the brain and accessible
for beginners, but those longing for more can easily fold FASA material into their game so there’s
a lot of versatility built into this system.
towards both the mythology created for the Trek universe as well as the myriad gaming systems
that have come before. There are a lot of things to love about this system. I find that the
character creation is simple and quick. It also features one of my absolute favorite features,
random character generation. I love random character generation! Sure it’s fun to play a
character that you’ve engineered down to the finest detail, but there’s something to be said about
the challenge of letting the dice to literally all of the work and then playing whatever said dice
produce. Making skill checks will seem pretty familiar to anyone who has ever played the FASA
system as these two systems use similar rules for that. In all, even though I haven’t actually
been able to play this wonderful system yet, I can confidently say that it would be a great system
for both beginners and veterans alike. The ‘official’ material is light on the brain and accessible
for beginners, but those longing for more can easily fold FASA material into their game so there’s
a lot of versatility built into this system.
Either one of these systems would be great fun for anyone who enjoys tabletop RPGs. They offer simple rules, easy and fast gameplay, and just enough options to satisfy most gamers. Each system does what it’s trying to do extremely well. Whether you’re in the market for a fun, easy to learn, free system, or you want to take the plunge on the vastly more expensive, but higher production quality of Star Trek Adventures, you won’t be disappointed. Give either of them a try and you’re sure to experience hours of enjoyment! That’s all I got for this year. Thanks for making it a great one! Stay tuned because we’ve got 52 more weeks coming up of quirky and fascinating reviews! Happy New Year to you all!
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