I am currently in a group playing Cyberpunk: RED and, while I am enjoying the GM’s play style and plot, I feel like we’re not utilizing the system to its full extent. Particularly, we have dropped initiative, the XP system, and the very, very detailed way it handles “damage to body parts.” What might be a good system to switch to while still keeping the feel of the game? I’ve looked for any PbtA games, but there seem to be none in the cyberpunk genre. I personally would prefer a narrativist sort of game but I’m okay with a little bit of crunch in combat (and I think the other players/GM would agree with me).
I love cyberpunk and have run many different systems and settings over the years. A few years ago I picked up The Sprawl a PBtA book and it clicked. Of course very narrative but with the cyberpunk stuff you want- hacking, gear, cyberware but without a ton of book keeping.
Is it perfect? No, but it’s a good fit if you like to narrative games. It’s default is mission based gameplay, but have done several campains breaking out of that mission structure. Doing a Shadowrun campain right now :)
I can’t recommend it enought! DM me happy to chat more!
http://www.ardens.org/games/the-sprawl/
Hey! I’m looking at the system online and I’m liking what I’m seeing! I’m (very) broadly familiar with PbtA’s system and I am fairly sure that this will get a positive reaction! Our #1 gripe has been the over-complexity with the synthetic mechanics and weird hacking mechanics in RED’s system. Thanks a ton :)
Cool glad to help. I played Red as well and while its perfectly fine, I felt it was just too much mechanics that get in the way of the story.
Note on Sprawl: default system is deadly and high chance of body parts blown off or death it’s gritty but you can adjust to your taste. Embrace the chaos. Also stick to mission structure for first few games, a narrative will emerge naturally that just fits and you will know it, and that you can build into a campain around. Scary to start that way but it works well!
As for PBtA in general it (for me at least) took a bit to grok how to run it. Once it clicked and I realized I didn’t need a ton of detailed prep, just going with the flow in game, and then putting my prep into vectors of story and world-building, and character complications, I feel in love. Your not making plot details, your adjusting around player decisions and adding complications… It’s a very diffeent take for me.
There is a good actual play for the Sprawl that was a good primer to see how it works. Let me dig that up.
Also this video is good too! Adam is a dbag for other reasons but this advise is solid https://youtu.be/xBkMOsZ7KDo
Also I am very happy to run a one shot online for you and your group! I can do a solid one in 4 hours and should help you see if it’s worth your time. :)