Customer Reviews

Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game (SAGA System)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Marvel Super Heroes Adventure game is part of TSR's Saga system, which is touted as being a diceless RPG. "DICELESS! ," you cry....yep, you heard me right, it's uses a special variant form of playing cards. I guess this is the Magic(tm) effect, in that all new games must be ground breaking and innovative, i.e. use some form of cards. Fortunately, this isn't always a bad thing, as it fits the nature of this product. TSR's old Marvel game was just a variant of it's Gamma World system, and it was an awkward fit at best. The Saga system seems to be a good match, as it provides for fast and fun play, more of a beer and pretzels RPG (just keep the beer away from the cards, please). Don't expect volumes of tables and modifyer charts, 'cause this is not a game for rule-lawyering; Characters only have four main attributes, experience is determined by the number of cards you are allowed to hold in your hand, and most everything based upon the Narrator's (aka DM) judgement calls. My only major quibble is how little you get with this boxed set: The rule book, a quite slim colection of stats for some major Marvel heroes and villains, and the deck of cards. It would have been nice to have a larger collection of stats, but at least those included are the classic versions of Marvel favorites, except for Wolverine, who is presented in his more current non-adamantium form. Overall, this is a nice little game, and is great for those gamers looking for a light bit of gaming, and for those new to the field who would like an introduction to the new world of non-traditional RPGs. Now, if you pardon me, It's clobberin' time....

This has got to be the easiest way to learn what RPG is all about. I suggest this game for the novice or beginner. But, I also give a strong vote for it for well advanced players since the only true rules in the game are self-imposed blocks on one's imagination.

I could go on and on with countless positive experiences I have has with this game system but I strongly suggest for you to check it out for yourself. Be patient and discover a new universe.

I purchased this game the week it first shipped, though I wish I hadn't. For someone who has never played the original Marvel Superheroes RPG, this game may seem adequate, but its greatest strength which is its tremendous detail, is also its greatest weakness. The card based system is a joke and characters tend to die way to easy. I am happy to see that marvel took a lesson from the old Mayfair DC system and allowed a way for even weaker characters to stand a chance, but they over did it and anyone can kill anyone else if they want to bad enough without any thought to the plausibilty of the confrontation what so ever. EX: In the first game we ran, just to bug out the system, a player playing Electra beat the Juggernaut. I have talked with several others who have purchased this game and they had similar ideas. To anyone considering to buy, do your self a favor and scour your local garage sales to find a copy of the old TSR sytem, it'll cost less and is a lot more fun.

I have been in roleplaying since the late 70's. You name the game I've played it. The marvel action game from TSR has a number of improvements over the 80's version. The new fate cards add realism and ease of play for characters. The new updates statistics and art work is great. The game system rocks. Easy to learn and awesome to use. The original was great but this is better. Don't worry there is a section for conversion rules if you like the old version. Overall As Stan would say, "hold on true beleivers."

Looking for a complete set of this game in good condition. Books and cards! Please comment if you have a set and we will talk price!

A new version of the Marvel Super Heroes game. This is where it gets annoying for the licenced properties and game thing, someone else gets it an does a completely new game.

One thing that was so great about the FASERIP version was the decade of support and heaps of stuff.

Planned obsolescence to sell new stuff is not fun, but the card mechanic here is interesitng.

A somewhat fast-paced role-playing system. It uses a deck of cards instead of dice, which makes an interesting change of pace. Another interesting quirk is that the gamemaster/narrator doesn't...well, _do_ anything. If an opponent/non-player character tries to hit your player, your _player_ makes the determination of success or not (by dodging). Kinda interesting in that it lets the gamemaster worry more about the story then endless die-rolling.

Despite several explanations and re-explanations, there are some parts of the rules that are still kinda vague. As someone else noted, character stats are rather...thin. Presumably the nice quality deck of 96 or so cards boosts the price up, but hey, I've seen it in bargain bins for much less (the game is out of print).

Basically, it's a nice "fast" game to pick up, and you won't have to spend a lot of time explaining to folks. Like the original TSR Marvel SuperHeroes RPG, it's fast-starting and players should catch on to it pretty quick.

I was skeptical about the new system, being a big fan of the older version. After trying the new Marvel system I was thrilled with it! I've yet to find a system so simple, and yet so much fun to play. My group won't go back to the old system! If you haven't tried this game yet don't hesitate you won't be sorry! If you like this system which stresses "Role Playing" over "Roll Playing" Try WotC/TSR's Dragonlance 5th Age game as well. The mechanics are similar and just as fun! After playing this game, your dice may well get very dusty!! Enjoy!

I think many of the early reviews on this game came immediately after people purchased the game. Better to play Marvel Super Heroes than just to read it and dismiss it as overly simplistic. MSH concentrates on roleplaying, not roll playing. The SAGA system does an excellent job of conveying comic-book-style storytelling without the burdensome mechanics of previous superhero RPGs. Give it a shot! You won't be sorry!

The new system is clever. It's strength is its weakness; it is easier to play than its predecessor, but some ways of calculating things seem counterintuitive. The rule book must be read from start to finish, no sense in trying to flip through and figure it out. The card system is much better than the dice, in my opinion, as it allows some degree of calculation and not mere chance. And the idea of trump suits are great. What they need is a booster pack with a theme. X-Men theme, Avengers theme, etc. Overall worthwhile and an improvement upon the former TSR game.