Paranoia

by West End Games, Greg Costikyan, Ken Rolsten

136-page paperback rulebook with foldout section
"The Compleat Troubleshooter" – 16-page booklet

Genres: Role Playing Games, Gaming, Science Fiction, Humor

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Miguel Angel Pedrajas · Rating 3 out of 5]

El juego de rol que acaba con el concepto de unión de jugadores contra los retos que arroja el máster con sus tramas. Aquí el director de juego plantea el escenario, los problemas (y muchos)... pero los jugadores ya se encargarán de generar más para sus compañeros. Haz la pelota, dispara por la espalda, conspira contra tus compañeros... todo sea para ganar el beneplácito del Ordenador para subir de Credencial de Seguridad dentro del Complejo Alfa, o para borrar de tu historial ese punto de Traición. Incluso a lo mejor sirve para ganarte el favor de tu sociedad secreta (las sociedades secretas están prohibidas y pertenecer a ellas es traición). La cuestión es no quedarse atrás. Cumplir como esclarecedor con la misión que os han encomendado. Pero si de paso puedes denunciar a tus compañeros por ser mutantes (tú también lo eres) o ser unos traicioneros comunistas, seguro que el Ordenador te lo agradecerá... Bueno, no es del todo seguro.

Una ambientación en un futuro distópico, rodeado de máquinas, donde tu personaje lo forma seis clones idénticos (para cuando te maten, tener el repuesto rápido) y donde subir de credencial roja a naranja puede ser un sueño bastante difícil de alcanzar.

Un juego divertido pero no para todos los públicos. Hay que ir predispuesto a que tu personaje muera, pero también a hacer mucho daño conspirando contra el resto de jugadores. Después de más de 25 años que tiene esta edición española, el juego sigue siendo muy jugable con la misma mala leche de siempre.

Puedes encontrar una reseña mucho más extensa del libro en este programa del podcast La Base Secreta que le dedicamos en febrero de 2018:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/labases...

[S. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed my science fiction steeped in dark humor and satire, so it's no wonder that Paranoia was the first role-playing game I really got into. Set in a dystopian future in which vast underground complexes are run by an insane computer, Paranoia satirizes not only the "Big Brother" totalitarian element of the science fiction genre, but also the communal team building element of role-playing games as a whole.

As most RPG gamers know too well, playing immersive fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons or Top Secret (showing my age here) with a large group of people will more often than not result in personality clashes within the game itself, often leading to backstabbing and bitter rivalries. Paranoia takes the extra step towards chaos by not just embracing the backstabbing and bitter rivalries, but making them an integral part of the game.

As Troubleshooters (they, you know, shoot trouble), player characters are dedicated to fighting underground elements that threaten the integrity of The Computer's rule, such as citizens with mutant abilities and members of secret societies. Needless to say, all Troubleshooter player characters have mutant abilities and belong to secret societies. The web of lies, deceptions, alternate mission goals, and dual allegiances adds countless conflicts adds to the dangers already inherent in an environment rife with incompetence, madness, and... you guessed it, paranoia. In fact, life is so perilous as a Troubleshooter in Alpha Complex that players start every game with six clones of their character just so they have a chance at surviving until the end of the game. It isn't uncommon for a player to lose one or two clones to misfortune - either deliberate or accidental - before their mission even begins. Actually, it's very common.

Paranoia is the ideal game for role-players who enjoy a little self-aware humor and chaotic mischief in their dungeon (complex) crawls. Just remember. The Computer is your friend.

[Lachlan Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those games where, as the DM, you enter a sadomasochistic contract with your willing victims, the players. If you ever wanted to be the HAL 9000, SHODAN or GLaDOS of your table, this is your golden ticket.

Maniacal fun, but probably only good for a session or two before it wears thin.

[nooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the newest edition players handbook. It has some really neat ideas. It is set up from the start to have characters mess with each other and you get XP for just reading the book.

[Arthur B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The peak of the West End Games era of the line. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...

[Alexander Lenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friend Computer says this is a great book and I won't say no to Friend Computer.