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

 

Share

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
https://www.facebook.com/IdleRedHands/
https://www.twitch.tv/idleredhands
https://www.instagram.com/idleredhands/

Share

Episode 225: Secrets of Blackmoor Documentary Review – No Spoilers!

Our spoiler-free and tease-filled review of The Secrets of Blackmoor – The True History of Dungeons & Dragons Documentary Volume One: The Evolution of the Roleplaying Game. #blackmoor #davearneson #

From the website:

“What if everything you knew about the history of Dungeons & Dragons was wrong? 6 Years, 12 Cities, 200 Hours of Interviews, 20,000 Documents and Photos: An unprecedented investigation into the history of D&D – the game that spurred a multi-billion dollar industry.”

Watch Now on Vimeo.com:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sobfinal

Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/blackmoorsec…

Visit the website:
https://www.secretsofblackmoor.com/

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/

Share

Episode 224: Alien RPG Cinematic Starter Review

Our in-depth review of the Alien RPG Cinematic Starter by Free League. More than 90 minutes of overview, analysis and some spoilers for the free PDF adventure, Chariot of the Gods. We start with a summary of the Year Zero System used in the game and how it differs from previous Free League releases like Forbidden Lands and Mechatron. There are also the stress, consumables and PVP mechanics that are unique to this system and setting. We discuss the use of props and sound effects and their effect on the sessions. We played through the adventure in 4 game sessions that are available on our YouTube and Twitch channels.

If you are curious about the Alien RPG and its system and setting this should give you a very thorough idea of how this game plays and if you want to bring it to your gaming table.

For an even longer version please visit our YouTube channel for the video review:
https://youtu.be/eE26W3rXEWg

You can watch our actual play sessions here:
https://youtu.be/WQHfvk_yHAc

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

Share

Episode 223: Are Gamers Suckers?

Dice towers, gaming furniture, GM screens, bone, metal and stone dice, chainmail backpacks and movies based on game properties. Are gamers really suckers?

We discuss how willing gamers are to throw their money on extravagant game accessories, RPG movies, and nostalgia. What gaming related purchase left you feeling the most ripped off?

Share

Video: Actual Play: Alien RPG Cinematic Starter Kit “Chariot of the Gods” Part 2

The second session of the Cinematic Starter for the Free League Alien RPG available for download with all pre-orders of the game. Cinematic adventures are one-shot scenarios with pre-generated characters that replicate the tension and high body count of the Alien movies. We introduce the system and run through the characters and their relationships and talents. Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure. #alienRPG #frialigan #ttrpg #actualplay

When we pick back up the party finds the remaining crew of a derelict ship coming out of cryo-sleep.

Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure.

Download the printer-friendly character sheet and player reference:
http://www.idleredhands.com/2019/06/23/actual-play-alien-rpg-cinematic-starter-kit-chariot-of-the-gods/

Check out Tabletop Audio for their amazing RPG sound effects:
https://tabletopaudio.com/

Pre-order the game:
https://alien-rpg.com/

Share

Alien RPG Printer-Friendly Downloads

We created two printer-friendly sheets for the Cinematic Starter, “Chariot of the Gods”  preview of the Alien RPG by Free League.

The first is a blank character sheet to use for the provided pregens and NPCs
AlienRPG_CharacterSheet

The second is a Player Reference that includes all the useful tables and modifiers
AlienRPG_PlayerReference

Share

Episode 222: Interview with Cass Suwinski from Tomb Guardians Miniatures for Dwarf Mine Quest RPG Dungeon Tiles

We talk to Cass Suwinski about his latest Kickstarter for the Dwarf Mine Quest RPG Dungeon Tiles. His company, Tomb Guardians Miniatures, has created a series of metal miniatures for their dungeon crawl RPG. This project is for high resolution 3D printed dungeon tile for the first part of the adventure, the Dwarf Mine. The tiles use an innovative magnet system to connect them, as opposed to clips, and also feature LED lighting details. Check out this immersive and affordable project for your next dungeon crawl!

Check out the Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tombguardians/dwarf-mine-quest-rpg-dungeon-tiles

Tomb Guardians website:
https://www.tombguardians.com/

Share

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/

Share

Episode 220: Interview with Lou Agresta from Iron GM Games for Grimmerspace

We were lucky enough to get some time with Lou Agresta in the middle of the Kickstarter for Grimmerspace, a scifi horror setting for the Paizo Starfinder RPG. We discuss the choice of the system, playing horror in an RPG, Sean Astin’s involvement in the project, the Grimmerspace setting and setting-specific character classes and technology. We played the free starter adventure available on the Kickstarter page called Abbatoir-8 and we recount a little of our experiences. #grimmerspace #starfinder

Grimmerspace Actual Play:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhQFfQIUD0Q

The Kickstarter is in its final week.
Check it out if you are a Starfinder player or just Starfinder-curious:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agrestasaurus/grimmerspace

Iron GM Games website:
https://www.irongmgames.com/

Share