Amazon.com: Buck Rogers: Adventure Game : Adventure, Excitement, Thrills : High Adventure Cliffhangers, No 3587: Jeff Grubb, Steven Schend: Books

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Roleplaying Buck Roger's pulp roots, March 9, 2005

By	Waynes World Of Books "www.WaynesBooks.net" - See all my reviews

Unlike the earlier XXVc Buck Rogers game -- which threw out most of the traditional BR backstory -- The High Adventure Cliffhangers box set returns back to the pulp roots of Buck Rogers.

Set contains:
* 32-page Rule Book
* 32-page World Book
* 48 page Adventure Book
* 2 poster maps
* sheet of die-cut counters
* 10 six-sided dice
* 40 Experience Chips

Wayne Gralian
Wayne's World of Books

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Okay system, but the setting..., August 20, 2005

By	David Michael Cohen (California) - See all my reviews

When this game was published in 1993, most people associated "Buck Rogers" with the 80's TV series starring Gil Gerrard. A few people may have associated it with TSR's "Buck Rogers XXV" series. Buck's historic origins, however, date back to two pulp novels and a spin-off comic strip beginning in 1929. It is on this that the BR Adventure Game was based on.

Although most people in the late teen/young adult age bracket (the primary buyers of RPG's) would not have known it, the original BR was not out fighting aliens or interplanetary fascists. No, he was defending an embattled America against a world-conquering China. I can see that going over well in 1929 when "The Yellow Peril" was a staple in popular fiction, but in 1993? Didn't we renew China's status as a "most favored trading nation" that year? Frankly, in this day and age setting my players against "yellow foreign devils" (a quote from the comic strip) seems rather awkward and embarassing.

The game system is fairly simple and straightforward. There are four stats; strength, aim, brains and health. Each is given a descriptor with a ranking order; OK, good, better or best. Each level gives youm a certain number of dice for use when you make a check (OK gives you two, good gives you three, etc.). There are also skills which can be learned at basic or master levels, and experience chips you can earn in play, to give you additional dice.

The system is easy to learn and moves quickly (essential for a high action game). At the same time, however, it feels rather sparse. Plus, the descriptors way it down more than they enhance the feel. Why not just list an OK strength as "2 dice?" Sure it doesn't sound as pretty, but it's more useful.

My final analysis is this: the game system is good for simple, high action games, but not the best. I much prefer "Story Engine" (also descriptor based) or "Cartoon Action Hour." As for the setting, it may appeal to hardcore nostalgia fans or KKK members, but that's about all.

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