TabletopGame A rant masquerading as a roleplaying game
This game might be worth reading just for the somewhat terrifying look at what the world looks like through the eyes of a far-left activist. Because let's be honest, that's what this is. The game is theoretically set in an alternative 1980s, but there are so many references to contemporary leftist bogeymen like "nazi hooligans" and "fake news" that it might as well have made it explicitly about the modern day. Among other things, the fictional USA of the game is a hellish police state that for some reason still bothers to build border walls to keep immigrants out. You'd think it would be building them to keep its own citizens from bolting, since that tends to be something oppressive regimes with more amiable neighbours have to worry about, but of course that would ruin the comparison.
This isn't subtext, by the way - the author comes straight out and says that the game is meant to teach people that resistance movements are always the good guys, unfairly and maliciously slandered by the evil governments they heroically rise up against. The actual text of the game is constantly interrupted by the author complaining about one gripe or another. And then there's the afterword, which moans about how a real-life Regime is absolutely right around the corner and the author knows that for sure and people are mean and stupid for not believing him.
Occasionally the author seems to remember that he's meant to be creating a game here and adds some mechanics and useful setting information. But it's clear his heart isn't in it. It's all barebones, a one-size-fits all encounter system with very limited room for strategy or roleplaying. The main appeal of the game is pretty clearly meant to be the breathless fantasy of "hey, wouldn't be awesome if Antifa had superpowers and could totally fuck up all the nazi scum?"
There are a few good bits, mind you. The divide of attributes into approaches you can take to a generalised situation (power through it; circumvent it; cautiously hang back; or support and protect others) rather than specific skills is interesting and makes for a game where your personality is more important than your education and training. The four factions of the Resistance are also interestingly flawed, and the meta-game of trying to keep them all happy, while also preventing them from ruining things for selfish reasons, while also trying to stay on the good side of both the common people and the international community, looks like it could be a lot of fun if attached to a better turn-to-turn resolution system.
All in all, the best reason to get this game is for Bile Fascination. Because it is weirdly captivating... but you won't want to play it if you don't have a burning hatred for 50% of your fellow citizens. Of course, if you do, then, er... enjoy?
TabletopGame Any game that cites Joseph P. Martino can't be all bad
Alright, let me out myself first. 1. I got this game for free through a sale. I don't recommend you go out and buy it unless you're really interested in the premise. 2. I own a MAGA hat and have worn it sincerely in the past. I know I'm probably not this game's target audience. 3. I haven't actually played this game yet. The mechanics could be absolutely terrible for all I know. With all that out of the way, this game isn't the Antifa screed some have made it out to be.
Don't get me wrong. It's definitely written from a left-wing slant. From the POD being Joe Mc Carthy having more success than OTL leading to a fascist 1980s, references to fake news and interment camps for immigrants, and the pearl clutching about Nazis having, gasp, 1st amendment protections like everyone else (well, maybe not in the game) shows exactly who this RPG was written by and aimed for. If that stuff is too annoying for you, I more than understand.
But the game is deeper than it initially appears. The main focus of the game is on fighting an ethical insurgency (translation: attacking people who are actually violent, not those who are just talking) and organizing a resistance made up of differing opinions. Only one of the resistance factions is actually left-wing; the Party. The others are on the right, the Old Men and the Makers, and the other is neutral, the Faith. All of these factions have strengths and weakness and they're all treated with, if not complete accuracy, at least respect. This type of nuance is pretty dang rare in general, let alone from these, ahem, strongly opinionated developers. It also makes for a really compelling set up. A game where a libertarian, a socialist, an Imam, and a self-made millionaire can team up to fight tyranny lends itself to a lot role-play and story possibilities
More importantly, it shows a willingness on the Devs' part to acknowledge their own side's flaws and excesses and a willingness to accept that not everyone on the right is a monster. There's a quote near the beginning from a member of the Party that says something to the effect of "we're partially to blame for this situation because, while we may have been right, we alienated everyone with our intolerance and drove them into the arms of the State". I don't know if that's how the developers feel about their side in real life, but it's a message that comes through in the rest of the game, even when the rants get close to being unbearable. Maybe it's not much, but it's an attitude I think should be encouraged. They're extending a hand in solidarity against totalitarianism.This right winger is willing to meet that hand half way.