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Würm — Roleplaying in the Ice Age
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 3, 2022
I'm a bit torn on this one. I think there's a great idea here. Delving into the Middle Stone Age, where Neanderthals and modern Humans scratch out a difficult life on the very different tundra-like lands of Europe. I'm all in. However, the book leaves something to be desired in terms of execution.
For example, the rules seem fine. Nothing jumps out at me upon first reading as being a problem. However, they're spread, almost haphazard throughout the book. I expect that it will be difficult trying to find a specific rule at a specific time while at the table. In that way, it reminds me of a lot of tabletop RPGs that came out in the 80s, where you really needed everyone sitting around the table to dig into the book and help figure things out together. I think you could set up a game where the GM and the players all learn the rules together, but you need players willing and able to do that.
Also like all too many 80s RPGs, this is clearly written by men, with the assumption that men would be playing the game. There's the occasional "or her," but those seem tacked on at best. If I didn't already know it was French, I'd assume it was yet another game written by straight white dudes from the Midwest (this is hammered home in the "humorous" adventure).
Another problem is that, while it implies you can dial up or down the more fantastical side of things, it's pretty clear that it is intended to be a game that features spirits, curses, and mystical stuff. As presented, it is a fantasy version of historic Europe. Cutting out the mystical stuff would not be an easy task, and upon brief skimming of supplements, it would be a real challenge with the adventures they've provided.
On the plus side, I think there's a lot here to work with. If you've got a group that's into the idea and up for the work it will take to get the rules figured out, I think this could be the basis of a great game. It seems like a system that is not too complicated, but has enough structure to hang your hat. I've got what I think would be a really cool campaign already sketched out. The book also has gorgeous artwork throughout.
There really aren't many games out there that focus on anything like this, which is too bad. I'd love to see a better organized, fleshed out, and updated with more modern sensibilities second edition of this game. A version where it would be easier to dial the magical aspects to your group's taste would be nice. Alas, I don't think it sold very well, which was part of why I was able to score a copy of it and all its supplements on the cheap. And Chaosium, who was distributing it in the US seems to no longer carry it. Sigh. Maybe someone else will create a good Stone Age game at some point.
For example, the rules seem fine. Nothing jumps out at me upon first reading as being a problem. However, they're spread, almost haphazard throughout the book. I expect that it will be difficult trying to find a specific rule at a specific time while at the table. In that way, it reminds me of a lot of tabletop RPGs that came out in the 80s, where you really needed everyone sitting around the table to dig into the book and help figure things out together. I think you could set up a game where the GM and the players all learn the rules together, but you need players willing and able to do that.
Also like all too many 80s RPGs, this is clearly written by men, with the assumption that men would be playing the game. There's the occasional "or her," but those seem tacked on at best. If I didn't already know it was French, I'd assume it was yet another game written by straight white dudes from the Midwest (this is hammered home in the "humorous" adventure).
Another problem is that, while it implies you can dial up or down the more fantastical side of things, it's pretty clear that it is intended to be a game that features spirits, curses, and mystical stuff. As presented, it is a fantasy version of historic Europe. Cutting out the mystical stuff would not be an easy task, and upon brief skimming of supplements, it would be a real challenge with the adventures they've provided.
On the plus side, I think there's a lot here to work with. If you've got a group that's into the idea and up for the work it will take to get the rules figured out, I think this could be the basis of a great game. It seems like a system that is not too complicated, but has enough structure to hang your hat. I've got what I think would be a really cool campaign already sketched out. The book also has gorgeous artwork throughout.
There really aren't many games out there that focus on anything like this, which is too bad. I'd love to see a better organized, fleshed out, and updated with more modern sensibilities second edition of this game. A version where it would be easier to dial the magical aspects to your group's taste would be nice. Alas, I don't think it sold very well, which was part of why I was able to score a copy of it and all its supplements on the cheap. And Chaosium, who was distributing it in the US seems to no longer carry it. Sigh. Maybe someone else will create a good Stone Age game at some point.
December 18, 2022
Interesting concept, but use of dubious terminology and cheap puns in the sample adventure significantly mars it; if the game is meant to be a serious take on its subject matter, why is the sample scenario a big joke? Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews