West End Games, 1996

The D6 System, $10.00

The D6 System is an omniversal game. The GM is to have total control over world, timeline, magic systems, etc. While I really can't argue with the concept (as I often find myself tweaking game universes, anyway), I do have a problem with some of the other categories... read on!

Take the Star Wars system (West End Game's only big hit) and throw out all the references to skills, races, and just about everything else! The GM then decides what attributes will be used. Per each attribute 3 points are added then divided amongst the attributes (each attribute could have 3 points and you'd have an average character). Or you could forget about trying to figure out all the attributes you need and go for the "No Attributes" option! The GM then makes up a list of advantages, disadvantages, and skills he/she wants in their universe. Sound long and drawn out? We've only begun the fun! The GM is also required to create the universe, all creatures, etc. with minimum input from the book (see "Writing").

I never really cared for the D6 system within the pre-generated worlds. In the system book, however they really muck it up! Multiple options are given for skill checks, with little explanation of each option. The game works off of a "target number" system, which is quite common, with the standard rule that rolling higher is better, however little is resolved in the manner of how a skill roll is to be done.

Nothing is crammed into the 79 pages of this rag... in fact just about everything is left out! The examples given are sparse, lame, or non-existent. Very little is done to prod the GM along through the grueling course of world design. Blah!

Highs - Hard to find on store shelves. Thin enough that people won't see it on your bookshelf and mock you.

Lows - It exists.

Final Call - If you're going to create a universe from scratch, you might as well create the system, too! (or use GURPS, CORPS, or even TWERPS!)

-Shadow Sprite