Ironsworn: Starforged

by Shawn Tomkin

Genres: Role Playing Games, Science Fiction, Games, Reference, Fantasy, Gaming

404 pages, ebook

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[XX · Rating 5 out of 5]

This game and the original Ironsworn are directly responsible for my reading-books-time taking a massive hit in the past two weeks, though an argument can be made that any "game" that inspires one to be creative has equal value to passive reading (possibly more?)

I love roleplaying and TT/P&P RPGs. I know how to hack systems to be single or solo play, but with Ironsworn/Starforged you can do solo play 'out the box' ('out the book'?) with no adjustments to the system necessary. I have seen some people augment this system with their own Oracle tables or additional mechanics, but while that's definitely another layer you can add, it's strictly not necessary.

I'm not in a situation where I can easily keep on schedule to play RPGs with others right now, and hacking systems can sometimes be a bit of a headache. The IS/SF system provides just the right level of simplicity vs complexity, action vs narrative worldbuilding, and is also just really dang fun.

I really want a hardback copy of this book for my RPG module collection but the first print run sold out almost immediately!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ironsworn: Starforged" excels at making tabletop RPGs approachable without sacrificing depth. What impressed me most is the didactic structure. You can start playing quickly with a session zero and learn the rules gradually as you go. The game introduces mechanics intuitively, with each concept building logically on the previous one. Rather than overwhelming you with comprehensive rules upfront, it guides you through its systems naturally.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawn Tomkin and his team did a great job writing and organising this book. I haven't had a chance to jump in and play yet, but just reading through the information was rewarding and inspiring on its own.

Looking through, the various design elements work together to clearly communicate what you need to know. It is an excellently prepared source book.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been excited for this one for a long time. I haven't started playing yet, but it looks like a solid, fine-tuned system for creating exciting adventures. I have to admit that a lot of the options for the setting didn't really excite me, but it's meant to be customizable so I can't take off any stars for that.

[Skander · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the clearest RPG manuals I've ever read. A really nicely conceived system, maybe a bit rules heavy at times, but probably a good into to PBTA style play for people coming from other games. I'm having fun using it solo as a writing exercise in Arabic, and I've had a lot of fun in Ironsworn and Starforged duets.

[yacoob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solo RPG with a space setting? Sign me up! More seriously: I've initially found Ironsworn, and was enchanted by its simplicity. The only thing that was unappealing was the setting. And then I've found Starforged :)

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very solid iteration of the already incredible game Ironsworn set in space. Incredible systems to generate setting and space systems.