Reply To: Dumbing Down RPG's

[limburger 21708xp 0]

@coxjul there is a definite difference in systems/settings that are better/more fun as a one-shot.
At the very least there is a different progression through the story as you rarely worry about the aftermath in a one-shot session.

And there are systems like Fiasco that can never ever be multi-session, because the scenaries tend to fall apart when you try to extend them.

@kiranamida I disagree. The worst thing to happen in RPG’s is trying to fit a single set of rules to multiple systems, especially if they are thematically different.  The phrase “jack of all trades / master of none” comes to mind.
D20/D&D is the one that made some of the worst mistakes by trying to force it into genres that simply didn’t match the intent of the system. The concept of classes and levels works in a high magic medieval fantasy themepark setting. It breaks down real fast in either horror or ‘realistic’ modern settings.
At least I’ve got enough problems trying to explain why a 1st level character is terrified of combat with a goblin when x levels later he barely registers them as a threat. The less said about Call of Ctulluh D20 the better …

The best games have mechanics that reinforce the theme/setting
It’s why Call of Cthulluh has the sanity mechanic.