Cold City

by Malcolm Craig

Berlin, 1950: World War 2 has been over for five years... ...but another war carries on in the shadows. As the Cold War rages in the full glare of the world media, the Underground War is fought in ruined bunkers, dank tunnels, building sites, and bombed out apartment blocks. In the divided city of Berlin, the Reserve Police Agency hunts down monsters left over from sinister experiments and twisted technology. Things from beyond our space and time, strange creatures altered by bizarre machines, the decayed corpses of undead soldiers, things that hide in the darkness. But the Reserve Police Agency itself is driven by suspicion, mistrust and political ambition. The four occupying powers of Britain, France, the USA and the USSR all see the need for the RPA, all contribute personnel, and all have their own agendas. In Cold City, players take the role of members of the RPA, those secretive Cold War monster hunters. Characters are defined not just by who they are and what they are like, but by the views of the other characters and the trust that they have in them.

Genres: Role Playing Games

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Paul Baldowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

By no means a complete review, I loved the concept and the execution of Cold City. The game element feels relatively unobtrusive and the background just enough to get you in on the game. I have already found myself Wikipedia-rooting for details about the buildings mentioned and the general post-war state of Berlin. Google Image search (and similar) definitely is your friend here.

I can see myself perhaps using as is, or adapting to the Trail of Cthulhu system, as it has that sort of feel - investigative horror with lashings of paranoia, but the driving need to try and stick together. Yes, you can't necessarily trust everyone else in your team, but when you're all faced by some occult nightmare leftover from the war, do you have a choice.

Impressed enough to pick up 'The Dossier' supplement that includes a bunch of atmospheric handout and informational materials - ideal for ramping up the atmosphere.

[Karlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a indie RPG ebook that I am toying with running for a few friends. The theme is 1950 Cold War Berlin. The PCs are tasked with getting rid of some of the nastier leftovers of the Third Reich's experiments. As the author states; think The Third Man meets Hellboy (and for my tastes, throw in a little Delta Green).