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If you've ever watched the news and wondered just what those anti-globalization protesters at the WTO are afraid of, then perhaps you'll learn a thing or two by reading DYSTOPIA, the deliciously antiestablishment RPG from Politically Incorrect Games. One of PIG's less prominent titles, and one not authored by PIG regulars Brett Bernstein and Mark Bruno, DYSTOPIA is as provocative as an AGAN flyer and as subtle as a bunch of bottle-throwing rioters. In short, DYSTOPIA is as politically incorrect as it gets, and that's a good thing.
Nearly a third of DYSTOPIA's 39 pages are taken up with an overview of a world dominated by capitalism-turned-oligarchy. The game's title is appropriate, as the future (circa 2155) is a nightmare of human rights violations, unequal distribution of wealth, and outright tyranny by the corporate bodies that dominate all aspects of life. By the time a reader reaches the plain, but functional, char-gen rules, they'll be ready to take the streets themselves.
Players build characters from their almost uniformly miserable childhoods into devotees of one faction or another. The latter are termed "lifestyles" by the game, and range from the relatively harmless (Hippies) to the lethal (Veterans). All these folks are looking to stick it to "the Man," and with eco-warrior PCs rubbing elbows with religious fanatics, things are bound to get a little interesting.
DYSTOPIA doesn't follow through with the promise of its extensive setting and evocative character types. It's pretty clear that PCs are meant to rebel against their faceless corporate masters and Mother, the artificially-intelligent tool of the oppressors, but the lack of a GM's section or even a sample adventure is bothersome. Even when a sample adventure goes unused, it at least provides a blueprint for the sort of thing the designer had in mind when he wrote the game. Experienced gamers will probably be able to do without - anyone who's read Edward Abbey's THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG will have no trouble getting started, for example - but the absence of a GM's section is still a black mark.
It's possible that more insight into the setting was meant to follow in a supplement. DYSTOPIA's full title is DYSTOPIA - THE CORP. SERIES: AMERICA 2155AD. Given the radical rightward shift in American politics over the last couple of years, perhaps it's not surprising that a follow-up never materialized, particularly when this initial release is liable to polarize its readers.
DYSTOPIA is by no means a bad game, however. Its challenging premise is welcome break from generic dark futures where everyone's angry, but no one ever disturbs the status quo. DYSTOPIA's coarse language evokes the anger of the setting and characters quite well. The game's straightforward, skill-based mechanics are perfectly fine for what DYSTOPIA wants to do and the combat system is fairly brutal. There's a lot to like here, even if it isn't politically correct.
The continuing popularity of dungeon-crawling aside, many gamers claim they want something different from the RPG mainstream. If this is true, then these gamers will not be disappointed with DYSTOPIA. Resist Mother!
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