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And lo and behold (and several years later), Simon Washbourne of Beyond Belief Games comes along and writes a roleplaying game about the little pests.
Why Am I Reviewing This?
I did a short review for one of Simon's free games, Babewatch, a few weeks back. Simon and I got to discussing animal games, since I have tried my hand at a few (The Wild, Rodendom, and Animals in the City). He offered me a comp copy of It's a Dog's Life in return for a review. With class settling out of the way, I took him up on his offer.
The Look and "Feel"
It's a Dog's Life (2nd Edition) comes in a set of six PDFs. There are two versions of the main rulebook (print and screen). There is a character sheet, separate cover file, and two character samples. The main rulebook is 51 pages in length, with a few pieces of art scattered throughout.
The book is decently laid out, but it isn't anything to brag about. The text reads clearly in a single column on the right of the page with a gray column on the left for dispensing extra information and examples. New chapters have a sort of unconventional piece of header art with two prairie dogs holding a blank banner between them. A feather also comes down from the piece in sort of a strange position, dividing up the page into an irregular column. It's an unusual layout, but it isn't unmanageable.
The artwork throughout is sparse but solid. The cover art and header are both colored in a nice style, depicting prairie dogs with headdresses and war paint. The whole feel of the art mixes a nice slice of generic Native American culture in, which fits in the Great Plains tone throughout.
Creating a Prairie Dog
If you haven't figured it out by now, It's a Dog's Life is about prairie dogs. Players create their feisty little characters in an uncomplicated nine step process. Each character has four attributes - Size, Agility, Alertness, and Wisdom. Then, you choose a defining physical characteristic for your hero as well as a Dream (a large goal in life). Characters also begin with a single feather to show their entry into a Role in the tribe. Then, you calculate wound points (6 + your Size). Roles come in next. Your little warrior can be a Brave, Scout, Healer, Sentinel, Speaker, or Wildling. You pick up your starting Abilities and Barks (think cool powers and knowledge), and you pick a few more to personalize your hero.
Character creation mixes a little random die rolling in, but for the most part, the process is straightforward and dependent on your imagination.
What Do Prairie Dogs Do?
You might think - wow, I'll roll me up a prairie dog hero, then what?
Your heroes in the game are essentially part of a tribe of their own, which they must serve and protect. The Great Home is this larger town, where many tribes gather to survive. Since your character has a Role, you perform that function for your tribe. And from time to time, you are called out to be a part of a larger adventure, resolving looming troubles for Great Home or protecting your sacred homelands from evil plots. In essence, gameplay is centered around ol' fashioned adventuring, with investigation, exploration, and quick combat throughout. With your hero's Dreams, you can also broaden it to a long-term story of a single prairie dog's life, rising to become a great leader and champion for his people.
The Rules
The game system comes in next. When your prairie dog attempts some action, you roll a d20 and try to get below your Attribute + Ability + Modifiers. Combat is just as simple - opponents engaged in combat make Tooth & Claw rolls and use a nifty chart to determine how much damage was done. Since this isn't exactly an action movie rpg, fights are expected to be quick flurries, with one side retreating to safer ground quickly after the exchange (think real animal fights).
Along with the basic rules, abilities are listed and described (such as "Tooth & Claw" and "Healing"). Barks, which are essentially special powers, are also listed (like "Bark of Courage"). Finally, additional descriptions and modifiers are included, as well as examples and basic advice for GMs. Most of this is pretty straightforward; don't expect anything groundbreaking or "never done before".
The Extras
The game packs plenty of examples and solid material. There are a few legends to give you a place to start for characters and stories. There is a list of critters your heroes might have to outsmart, as well as four ready to go adventures. Additional information about real prairie dogs and the location of Thundertown (the mythical place where prairie dogs are from) are included near the end as well for extra inspiration.
As a side note, you can download a 4 page preview of the game and other information from the game's website: http://www.geocities.com/dogs_life2003/.
What Do I Think?
Overall, It's a Dog's Life is a solid indie roleplaying game. The layout could use improvement, but the game system and concept is solidly put together. It's unfortunate that this is truly a niche game. I've never heard any gamer ask me if there was a prairie dog rpg, and I doubt I ever will. However, this is the benefit of the small press market out there - these type of games can find a home.
Should you buy it? If you like unusual games, It's a Dog's Life should be in your game library. If not, continue looking elsewhere. With some additional work, the game could be fitted and expanded to your imagination's content. Or, you can simply rock out the life of a courageous prairie dog in the Great Plains, fulfilling its destiny to become a legend and bringer of hope to its people.
Overall, I give the game solid marks for taking a new idea and working it out well. The game is playable, easy to learn, and unique. However, it won't stun you with new ideas or rivet you with an amazing setting or story. The presentation appears to be the weakest aspect of the game.
You can buy It's a Dog's Life (2nd Edition) for $6.50 (discounted from $7.50) from RPGNow.com.
Happy Gaming!
