ERRATA: Mars isn’t very fully terraformed in this fictional universe. Support the channel by joining my Patreon! www.patreon.com/thaumavore Newsletter sign-up: bit.ly/ThaumavoreNewsletter
I’m fairly new to your channel, but I have to say your reviews are my go to for expanding my rpg horizons now. You obviously take care in your presentation and it shows on screen. The way you break down the history and systems is extremely helpful to understanding a product. It’s a matter of time until your channel blows up and I’ll be here for it.
I love The Expanse ttrpg and have a copy of all the books and supplements they have put out so far. I really loved the novels and the TV series and when this came out from Green Ronin I jumped on it right away and the AGE system is so perfect for this game. Thank you for the review.
The expanse novel's and audiobooks have over the last couple of years become my favorite works of fiction to experience that I return to again and again (I do a lot of driving since I live in the middle of nowhere and the audiobooks are particularly well done), my tabletop group has a campaign that is in the end game and close to wrapping up and I will be suggesting this game as something for me to run for our next leg of tabletop.
Thanks for a review of the game and how to play it. I appreciate a "heads-up" on the system having recently gotten the game. Just discovered you and appreciate your smooth (Shiny) and informative guide to the game, and a couple of others I've watched you do.
Really great review. I'm late to the party but I really enjoy the books and series. Recently bought the rpg and am excited to give it a shot thanks to your review!
Just a thought... have you heard of "Cepheus Deluxe" by Stellagama Publishing? It is a game designed from the Traveller RPG (the Mongoose Publishing version), with a number of tweaks to make it a bit less crunchy, depending on the mood or setting.
Another fantastic review! Thank you for unpacking this game. I backed it on Kickstarter and my hardcopy has a prominent position on my RPG shelf, but I've never played it because I haven't convinced my gaming group to try it. On a tangent, I'm wondering out loud if you have reviewed another sci-fi game called Eclipse Phase 2e. It's a fantastic RPG steeped in tech, hard science, sociology, and mystery. If you are unaware of EP2, give it a peep. Love to see you give it a review someday. Cheers, --Bo
Kinda sad I let that bundle go by, but I've already got too many books to read. Still, I want to find a way to home brew that drama die system into my game.
Stunts are just a variation on critical hits, just giving that more interest than "extra damage" or "automatic success." Its actually not as novel as it seems, as the Modipheus system (Conan, Dune) and even 2nd ed The One Ring delve into this territory. That said, AGE was an early face for the mechanic, and they have definitely used it the most universally. Absolutely love it.
Hi Dave, thanks for taking a good look at this one. I was a backer and I'm a huge fan of the novels, I also enjoy the TV show. The game is largely a cut and paste from AGE Modern, it shows and it's a shame. This is a rush job. On the topics you mentioned, Stunts border on the unusable, try having a seat-of-the pants combat when the game stalls while players choose a stunt. Also, no one uses Fortune Points for anything other than Hit Points, because, er, they're Hit Points. I found the writing to be dry and a struggle to get through. Finally the adventure included in the book and others are so clinical and, I can't face any of them. If you examine the first adventure, for example, you might notice that the entire mission, including interactions with NPCs, can be completed without any role-playing, every thing can (but shouldn't) be handled by a dice throw. I know the referee can put his or her own spin but why would the designers create a scenario designed with a no-play option? Aaargg. I'm ranting. One final thing...the skills, oh dear. The sense of smell (a skill) carries the same weight as Piloting a ship it makes no sense - on the plus side, the sensory skills aren't available to characters through the generation rules. A tighter edit and more play testing was needed. LOTS more. A missed opportunity from my point of view. However! We actually enjoy playing the game with some mods: there are 12 "drives" too few to be useful mechanically or as a role-play tool, they're out. Fortune Points? They're just Hit Points; we call them Hit Points. Stunts? We don't use them but I'm working on a way to use the drama die as some kind of Fate Points. Character sheet? Useless, it's out. What's left is enough but as a backer, the entire package is a great disappointment. Egad! I'll shut up now. :-)
Any chance that you could do a review of "In Harm's Way: Wild Blue" i've been looking for a fighter pilot ttrpg for my friends, but the pdf is giving me headaches trying to sort out how you play this game, exactly.
I have yet to watch the show (so I'm a bit ignorant with this) but I can't pick up any unique vibe or theme in this world. It's just a rpg in space with space rules. What is the draw in this world over other RPGs in space?
It’s largely about playing in the Expanse universe, which is starkly realistic near-future sci-fi. Watching or reading The Expanse first is kind of assumed if you’re going to jump into this game.
Nice overview. Although, I vehemently challenge the idea that it's a GM's job to be "sadistic." That kind of Gygaxian thinking isn't what makes for effective GMs. It's what holds them back.
Here I go, editing a TH-cam video. SPOILER ALERT FOR BOOKS AND SHOWS... . .. ... .... Good Content. Several rereads, rewatches, and TH-cam videos under my belt and 0 experience with the TTRPG so I regret that I feel compelled to edit your video in comment. Here we go anyway. Mars was never terraformed. They began the process but never completed it. It was barely underway by the time the gates opened. This contributes to its downfall as a result of Duarte's treason and Marco's bribery. Does this play into the TTRPG? I have no idea. Good video either way.
im sorry, but i've been trying to find a system better/easier to learn/simpler to play than Modiphius 2d20, and i just cant find one. sorry, im out. change everything to 2d20
found one, finally. Powered by the Apocalypse. Seems like The Expanse took PBTA and made it more complicated. if I ever GM this, I will just make it PBTA lol
Lol, there are lots of people with the last name Epstein, and the child molester is not even one of the first that comes to mind for a lot of people (myself included).
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
ERRATA: Mars isn’t very fully terraformed in this fictional universe.
Support the channel by joining my Patreon! www.patreon.com/thaumavore
Newsletter sign-up: bit.ly/ThaumavoreNewsletter
I’m fairly new to your channel, but I have to say your reviews are my go to for expanding my rpg horizons now. You obviously take care in your presentation and it shows on screen. The way you break down the history and systems is extremely helpful to understanding a product. It’s a matter of time until your channel blows up and I’ll be here for it.
Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying. I hope you’re right about the channel growth. It’s been a sleepy couple of years so far!
I love The Expanse ttrpg and have a copy of all the books and supplements they have put out so far. I really loved the novels and the TV series and when this came out from Green Ronin I jumped on it right away and the AGE system is so perfect for this game. Thank you for the review.
Beyond the Ring just dropped for anyone who wasn't aware!
@@jczerzzz I preordered my hardcopy last night, got the pdf too.
Wow! I was hoping there were a review of the Expanse made by you! Really good reviews, short but thorough.
The expanse novel's and audiobooks have over the last couple of years become my favorite works of fiction to experience that I return to again and again (I do a lot of driving since I live in the middle of nowhere and the audiobooks are particularly well done), my tabletop group has a campaign that is in the end game and close to wrapping up and I will be suggesting this game as something for me to run for our next leg of tabletop.
Thanks for a review of the game and how to play it. I appreciate a "heads-up" on the system having recently gotten the game. Just discovered you and appreciate your smooth (Shiny) and informative guide to the game, and a couple of others I've watched you do.
I can't believe a such awsome review like this! Don't give up, Dave
Thanks!
Glad you put out a review about the Expanse TTRPG. I trust your opinion.
Really great review. I'm late to the party but I really enjoy the books and series. Recently bought the rpg and am excited to give it a shot thanks to your review!
Just a thought... have you heard of "Cepheus Deluxe" by Stellagama Publishing? It is a game designed from the Traveller RPG (the Mongoose Publishing version), with a number of tweaks to make it a bit less crunchy, depending on the mood or setting.
Nice review mate.
I think you are spot on about the strengths and weaknesses of the system.
Thanks!
Man, I love AGE games. I'm honestly thinking about reading these books just because of this game.
Really good run through. 👍
Great flow and explanation. Really a hidden gem channel.
Another fantastic review! Thank you for unpacking this game. I backed it on Kickstarter and my hardcopy has a prominent position on my RPG shelf, but I've never played it because I haven't convinced my gaming group to try it. On a tangent, I'm wondering out loud if you have reviewed another sci-fi game called Eclipse Phase 2e. It's a fantastic RPG steeped in tech, hard science, sociology, and mystery. If you are unaware of EP2, give it a peep. Love to see you give it a review someday. Cheers, --Bo
Oh yeah, I’m familiar with EP2. It’s a sci-fi classic. I’ll look into reviewing it. Thanks for watching!
@@DaveThaumavore fantastic news!
Awesome review! happy holidays Mr. Thaumavore
And to you as well!
Another book coming out is supposed to expand the ship section
This is great. I've been curious about the game as I'm a huge fan of the show and books. Thanks!
I searched your channel yesterday (Dec. 19) for a review of 'The Expanse' and hoped you might cover it in the future. Great minds think alike?
I got your mind message and cranked out this review as fast as I could.
A well made expanse MMORPG could be fucking amazing
Kinda sad I let that bundle go by, but I've already got too many books to read. Still, I want to find a way to home brew that drama die system into my game.
I think if there's one thing to shamelessly rip from the system, it's the drama die concept. Maybe an abbreviated version.
Stunts are just a variation on critical hits, just giving that more interest than "extra damage" or "automatic success." Its actually not as novel as it seems, as the Modipheus system (Conan, Dune) and even 2nd ed The One Ring delve into this territory. That said, AGE was an early face for the mechanic, and they have definitely used it the most universally. Absolutely love it.
Hi Dave, thanks for taking a good look at this one. I was a backer and I'm a huge fan of the novels, I also enjoy the TV show. The game is largely a cut and paste from AGE Modern, it shows and it's a shame. This is a rush job. On the topics you mentioned, Stunts border on the unusable, try having a seat-of-the pants combat when the game stalls while players choose a stunt. Also, no one uses Fortune Points for anything other than Hit Points, because, er, they're Hit Points. I found the writing to be dry and a struggle to get through. Finally the adventure included in the book and others are so clinical and, I can't face any of them. If you examine the first adventure, for example, you might notice that the entire mission, including interactions with NPCs, can be completed without any role-playing, every thing can (but shouldn't) be handled by a dice throw. I know the referee can put his or her own spin but why would the designers create a scenario designed with a no-play option? Aaargg. I'm ranting. One final thing...the skills, oh dear. The sense of smell (a skill) carries the same weight as Piloting a ship it makes no sense - on the plus side, the sensory skills aren't available to characters through the generation rules. A tighter edit and more play testing was needed. LOTS more. A missed opportunity from my point of view. However! We actually enjoy playing the game with some mods: there are 12 "drives" too few to be useful mechanically or as a role-play tool, they're out. Fortune Points? They're just Hit Points; we call them Hit Points. Stunts? We don't use them but I'm working on a way to use the drama die as some kind of Fate Points. Character sheet? Useless, it's out. What's left is enough but as a backer, the entire package is a great disappointment. Egad! I'll shut up now. :-)
Fair enough!
The system seems interesting. I'm gonna study the game for a while, it seems like I can use it to write a Gundam setting and rules
Great vid
wow too many turning wheels gor me. good review thanks
Any chance that you could do a review of "In Harm's Way: Wild Blue" i've been looking for a fighter pilot ttrpg for my friends, but the pdf is giving me headaches trying to sort out how you play this game, exactly.
I have yet to watch the show (so I'm a bit ignorant with this) but I can't pick up any unique vibe or theme in this world. It's just a rpg in space with space rules.
What is the draw in this world over other RPGs in space?
It’s largely about playing in the Expanse universe, which is starkly realistic near-future sci-fi. Watching or reading The Expanse first is kind of assumed if you’re going to jump into this game.
8:19 Wait that's really Avasarala ? ?
It sure is, in this book.
Starts at 1:25 . You’re welcome!
Nice overview. Although, I vehemently challenge the idea that it's a GM's job to be "sadistic." That kind of Gygaxian thinking isn't what makes for effective GMs. It's what holds them back.
I was joking. It's hard to tell with my flat affect and utterly deadpan delivery.
So I just guess when a character levels up ?
Yeah, it’s a pretty common paradigm in RPGs called “milestone” leveling. Takes out the bother of awarding, calculating and tallying XP.
Here I go, editing a TH-cam video. SPOILER ALERT FOR BOOKS AND SHOWS...
.
..
...
....
Good Content. Several rereads, rewatches, and TH-cam videos under my belt and 0 experience with the TTRPG so I regret that I feel compelled to edit your video in comment. Here we go anyway.
Mars was never terraformed. They began the process but never completed it. It was barely underway by the time the gates opened. This contributes to its downfall as a result of Duarte's treason and Marco's bribery. Does this play into the TTRPG? I have no idea. Good video either way.
Cool, I added an errata note in the pinned comment. Thanks.
im sorry, but i've been trying to find a system better/easier to learn/simpler to play than Modiphius 2d20, and i just cant find one. sorry, im out. change everything to 2d20
found one, finally. Powered by the Apocalypse. Seems like The Expanse took PBTA and made it more complicated. if I ever GM this, I will just make it PBTA lol
Wow, Epstein drive. That didn’t age well
Lol, there are lots of people with the last name Epstein, and the child molester is not even one of the first that comes to mind for a lot of people (myself included).
The TV series is okay, the books are freakin' terrible.