Superhero 2044
A short game for sure.
Foreword
Traces the development of the game growing out of cross-genre science fantasy campaigns.
Introduction
Covers the first couple of pages and gives some brief gaming advice.
The 2044 World Almanac Excerpt is on page 2…Shanter Island, Inguria, Population 243,000 in 2040, 523 square km and runs on the NWC Pseudodollar. Has a volcano. It gives the history where a spaceport was opened in 2001 after the Indian-Australian war zone until the six-day war in 2003. Escaped destruction and renamed itself in 2029, joining the New Whole Commonwealth of Nations.
Ingurian supers [Uniques] spearheaded relocation of Fomaulhaut aliens in 2023 when signals were received. Teleporters! So the setting has advanced alien hybrid technology but a ban on atomic power. More background follows, including ‘to compete with other media, newspaper became computerised.’
Fomalhautians need energy pills and can’t eat Terran food. Bipedal humanoids from a 1.4g world and have grey body hair.
Then a background of Inguria and Bloomberg with maps through 5-6. Details of some organisations through 8 including the Science Police.
Page 9 has The Superhero Shop, run by the severely injured member of an old Unique group. Where it is suggested to the GM that anything can be had needed for a plot. Underdog would be set if he can out.
Character Design
Starts on page 10 with the note about the local team and the destruction of the prior Freedom League in 2042 by Doctor Ruby who suffered the good old perished in a volcano problem. You have to patrol 25 hours a week and maintain a locate and prevent score of 8 to be in the IPSP. Patrol rules. Free healthcare and a stipend if you do.
Abilities
Vigor – health and physical susceptibility
Stamina – includes HTH fighting and running ability
Endurance – ability to withstand punishment
Mentality
Charisma
Ego
Dexterity
Three Classes
Uniques – Have actual superpowers far beyond etc. [Superman is the example]
Toolmaster – High Tech [Iron Man is the example]
Ubermensch – Utmost Training [Tarzan is the exaple]
Prime Requisite Points
140 to divide among the 7, with a minimum of 1 in each.
Ubermensch -20 Men, +20 End, Vig, Sta, Dex
Toolmasters +20 Men, -10 Vig, Sta, End
Uniques +20 Cha
The book suggests less than 10 is a bad idea.
At GM discretion, up to 50 points may be added to represent an ability or skill. Like 50 points of bullet soaking. Unique powers are done like this with 50 points of transformation or a mental attack. Some powers are problems to adapt it says, so make up other ways to do it. Weaknesses get extra power. Players should _not_ know what is needed to gain extra points by experience! Gives examples of three characters, Apollyon a Ubermensch, Avenging Knight a toolmaster and Charmer a Unique.
Page 12 has the tables for the abilities and starts with the Weekly Planning Sheet you have to fill out. In the future, they still have timesheets unfortunately. There’s a form to copy, Patrol, Rest, School, Practice, Research and other. Location, Prevention. Space for money and prime requisites. Patrol results by the referee.
Combat starts on page 16.
Move twice, attack twice or move and attack. Highest Dex first.
Four attack types: Physical, Transformation, Mental, Projectile (all distance).
Universal Combat Matrix
Compares attack ability to Ego or Stamina and gives a 3d6 die roll (high).
Treatment for injuries, a basic weapon damage table, with class of weapon and also a four modification tables based on manoeuvres, circumstance and ability and class for each of the four attack types.
Four hit locations, which each have half of the total Vigor points. Out of Vigor in your head = dead, Jim.
A projectile weapons table, a movement table and we are on page 18.
Handicaps
Crime prevention type ratings given by the GM. 1-10 in Prevent, Locate, Stop, Capture, Convict, Leads and Damage. Timesheets and KPIs rule in Inguria.
Page 19 is an example Handicapping scenario for Captain Gravity, a Unique.
Page 20 has Patrol rules, crime density, areas and calculations.
Then a character sheet and Page 21 and 22 crime frequency and data tables printout sheets. Patrol finishes on 23.
Salaries, litigation, insurance, costs, gear and vehicles etc. go to page 26.
Solo rules on 27 and 28.
Optional training rules on 29. Hiring people up to 31 with more combat rules to specify things a bit more than the really simple generic ones. Transformation saving through for a Human is 12, but other Sentient Being is 6. Note, d20 saving throws. Percentage dice stuff in here too. Character bits, thug morale, supervillain crime data sheet through 35. A supervillain character and planning sheet on 36.
Two Uniques given on page 37, Sunburst and Multiplex. A Zocchi dice ad and the back cover is a fun superheroes playing a game homage/parody.
So as I think Christian Lindke also said, this groundbreaker had some good ideas and an interesting setting in an unplayable game system without a lot of work.
Which was pretty much my opinion as a kid, from memory.
Something like this to go with the others
* out of 10 Price (lower is cheaper per page)
2 out of 10 Length (lower is shorter)
2 out of 10 Complexity (lower is easier)
1 out of 10 Playability
4 out of 10 Artwork
3.5 out of 10 Overall