Have you ever searched and searched for the perfect [insert something cool here] and finally found it? Well, I just did.
Note: This review is based on the PDF version of Pulp Era. An HTML version is also available, and both can be accessed from
http://www.memento-mori.com/main/
Although only 30 pages long, Pulp Era provides a clean and simple rules system covering multiple genres, all under the pretense of being "pulp fiction" roleplaying (gee, I wondered where they got that title from). In my opinion, it is one of the most well-written and simple RPGs currently available.
I wish I could get away with only saying that, but no, the suits (if they wear suits) at RPGNet want a little more than that. That said, here goes nothing...
The first thing I noticed about Pulp Era was its informal writing style. I have seen countless RPG products written from a "This game is your new god, and nothing else is worth mentioning" standpoint, and I must say that turns me off rather quickly. A good RPG shouldn't be afraid to mention other games, books, or movies in order to make its point clear. Even the most casual look at Pulp Era would be hard-pressed to miss references to The Green Hornet, The Shadow, Indiana Jones, and numerous others. This serves quite well as a hook to draw the reader in, using familiar examples to help one visualize the game.
Pulp Era's system is also a big selling point (assuming a free download is something that can be "sold"), using the following core mechanic: Multiply the appropriate Attribute statistic by the action (called Stunt here)'s Style value. Roll equal to or less than the result on percentile dice. That's it. No difficulty number set by the GM, no searching-through-50-skills-for-the-right-one. Just some simple math and a roll of the dice. Granted, some Stunts are a little more complicated than this, but for the most part Pulp Era is "fast and furious", to quote the rulebook.
And that, as they say, is that. Well, almost. The majority of Pulp Era's 30 pages go through the process of Character Creation. As with any good RPG, the decisions made here are logical and quite relevant to the game and whatever adventures happen along. Character descriptions consist of only a few details: 6 Style statistics, 5 Attribute statistics and accompanying Merits, a couple of Gimmicks (such as Signature Vehicle, Fortune-Cookie Wisdom, and many others), and a short list of your character's "gear". I managed to fit an entire character onto 1/3 of a written page - how many other RPGs can say that?
I believe I've finally run out of things to say about Pulp Era. I've discussed the main parts of the system, I've mentioned the Indy references... something seems missing. Ah, I've got it: flaws.
Anyone who has already checked out the end of this review will notice that I only gave Pulp Era a 4/5 for Substance. Why, you ask, would I do this to such a perfect game? Well, there's a few spots where the rules are kind of ambiguous (at least, they're ambiguous to me...). For instance, there is no mention in the Merits section of Character Creation that you are supposed to make up Merits yourself. I figured this out after reading it a few times, but that's really the sort of thing that should be said up front. Similarly, I had to read through the Styles section a number of times before I noticed that "only Masters of the Unknown may have the Arcane Style", which had been the source of much confusion while I was making my character. Again, that might just be me.
That said, I wholeheartedly recommend this game to anyone looking for a good non-fantasy RPG. Pulp Era embodies (well, just about, but I'm not allowed to talk about that in public) my Dream RPG, and is sure to provide me with many hours of two-fisted fun.
I have to go now - Ming the Merciless might actually get Flash Gordon this time...
Go to forum!
(Due to spamming, old forum discussions are no linked.)