Alternity: Science Fiction Adventure Game : The Adventure Begins Now

Alternity RPG

by William W. Connors, Sean Reynolds

This introductory set introduces new players into an exciting science fiction universe where they control the action! This is the perfect gift to expand the horizons of those interested in the science fiction genre or to spark interest in kids of all ages. Each game comes complete with everything needed to play, including an adventure book full of exciting scenarios, pregenerated heroes to begin playing fast, and dice to keep the action moving. Experience the power of science fiction roleplaying! Customers can use this boxed set as an entry point into the whole family of Alternity game products or continue their experience with the Alternity Fast-Play, Incident at Exile. No previous experience is required for learning the Introduction to Alternity Adventure Game. Just open the box . . . and exercise your mind!

Genres: Role Playing Games

64 pages, Box Set

Published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Benjamin]

How? Found a complete box at the local Half-Price Books! A missing product from my near-complete Alternity set.

What? It's one of those starter boxes loudly proclaiming "Includes everything you need to play", which is

* some quickstart rules
* some dice (and a little vinyl bag)
* some pregenerated characters
* some adventures

Yeah, so? Big sigh here. I like quickstart rules because they're trimmed down versions -- not enough to do everything the game offers (like make characters, hence the included pregens); and this product makes a pretty smart move in the quickstart rules by giving a simple skirmish and asking the players to go over it. I say that's smart because combat can be some of the most complex part of a game like this.

And then they go and add some adventures that are nothing but this, in the dumbest and least believable way. Like: it starts with a prison break (or something) but instead of any clever planning, all you need to do is fight off three waves of villains coming at you as if this were a video game from the 80s. And then there are two more "adventures" that are just like that.

It really gives very little scope to the game and highlights the weakness of the Alternity game line (which as near as I can tell is (a) completely dead, now that the company that was going to do some work with it has pretty much collapsed and (b) in some ownership limbo where you can't even buy the pdfs) and the weakness of its signature Star*Drive setting. Ah well, it was pretty cheap.