I think that the companion series is a clear blueprint for how a company should do a continuing line successfully. This one really worked for me because of ALL the original trilogy references, and the Battletech stuff.
@@booksbricksandboards783 RoS was a setting after an AI revolt. Instead of one Skynet, there are 12. And they have different ideas on how to deal with humanity.
Reign of Steel is what drew me into GURPS. What an amazing setting. Bought the updated version last year and really like the flavor. That tagline of "The war is over. The robots won" is excellent.
@@davidrobertson5996 it is really amazing how a line or an image can sell an entire line. That is what Rifts was for me. The art on the original core book hooked me immediately.
I am so excited for the Sci-fi Companion. Can't wait to get my physical copy soon. Thank You for sharing your thoughts on this beautiful Companion to the game system that I love so very much. 😊
It's good to hear the bestiary section is sizable and covers a wide range of styles. It's still a concern I have about the Fantasy Companion and, fortunately, I don't really need it to run a decent low-fantasy game. The fewer monsters I need to modify or create leaves me more time for adventure building, though, so I'm glad the sci-fi one has a lot.
Hey, you broke into the Five Buck Club - now we know one of the glitterati 🙂 To ask a dumbish question, what's the difference between SWADE and the vanilla SW? I have the core rules for that, and while I really like what you showed for this SWADE companion volume, I don't know if I would still need to buy the SWADE core rulebook, if it exists? Cheers dude for another great video!
Thanks David! Not a dumb question at all… my only beef with Savage Worlds at all is in their edition branding… I have a whole video on the different editions, but basically, SWADE is Savage Worlds Adventure Edition, and it is the new version… the prior versions had a few differences (like a Charisma derived stat), but they were pretty compatible still… as an example, all of the Lankhmar books were created for the prior edition, but the conversion document is only a couple pages… to cover 6-7 books worth of conversion. So they are mechanically very close. A close analogy would be BX D&D to AD&D… they are different versions of the same game, but for experienced gamers it is not hard to convert on the fly. The biggest change in editions for me, is that the new companions are covering a lot more ground, because a lot of what was introduced in the old companions was rolled into the SWADE core, which in turn left room for better use of the companion pages.
@@booksbricksandboards783 Thanks for the overview, Justin! I'll go watch your video that covers the versions. Good analogy using DnD versions to explain the difference 🙂
Swade works for every settings. This companion included. With one caveat. Swade is horrible at replicating really gritty settings as Blade runner, cause Swade is flashy, and Blade runner is not flashy. Swade us fast, fun and furious. You toss bennies, you explode dice, you scream a "ahhhh" when this happens! So if what you like is the gritty tone, pretty down to earth where heroism is not over the top Swade is to avoid. But that is perhaps more niche than anything.
Did you notice in one of the final art pieces in the book they show players around the table and one of them is using a D&D character sheet? It's a great book. I am not sure it is good for Star Trek with its grounded plot lines (not talking about the new stuff with the trek logo on it). But then I don't like Mophidius for that either. But for more swashbuckling adventure like Star Wars, it's perfect.
On my copy, Page 303, they have a Pathfinder for Savage Worlds character sheet. One thing that I thought was aimed at Star Trek(and to be fair I am JUST getting into Trek recently) was the Starships as outposts rules, and the different positions within the ship. Otherwise, I don’t know enough about ST to speak to how well it would do there… YET! Hey thanks for watching!
I think you are on the right track. I’d at least take dueling rules and some edges from Deadlands. But also, there are rules for scavenging that I did not mention in the video, which would go well in a Firefly game. Good question!
You absolutely could. The starship creation and customization tools, as well as rules for spaceships as a base are very extensive. Combine that with the scavenging rules and you have what you need.
Needs a hitchhiker background with a "Knows Towel Location" edge.
I need to read Aasimov. As a kid, Hitchhiker’s Guide was always the biggest and coolest looking book on the shelves at Waldenbooks.
The companions are so good - I can't wait to hold the physical copy.
You are not Tim, but you are absolutely correct. This one has some pretty killer art too.
It’s a great book. One of the best. Thank you for the review.
I think that the companion series is a clear blueprint for how a company should do a continuing line successfully. This one really worked for me because of ALL the original trilogy references, and the Battletech stuff.
Supported the Kickstarter. Waiting for the physical copy. I need to find my copy of GURPS: Reign of Steel.
Would that be a mech based GURPS expansion?
@@booksbricksandboards783 RoS was a setting after an AI revolt. Instead of one Skynet, there are 12. And they have different ideas on how to deal with humanity.
That seems cool. Similar to the Patron AI in Mutant Crawl Classics. I dig it!
Reign of Steel is what drew me into GURPS. What an amazing setting. Bought the updated version last year and really like the flavor. That tagline of "The war is over. The robots won" is excellent.
@@davidrobertson5996 it is really amazing how a line or an image can sell an entire line. That is what Rifts was for me. The art on the original core book hooked me immediately.
Thanks for reviewing this 👍.
Very welcome. It’s a very good addition to the library for sure!
I am so excited for the Sci-fi Companion. Can't wait to get my physical copy soon. Thank You for sharing your thoughts on this beautiful Companion to the game system that I love so very much. 😊
Physical copy will be awesome!
One day, I'll hop into the Savage Worlds rabbit hole and get all that sweet content physically (SWADE and all companions)
That day will be a good one I’m sure!
@booksbricksandboards783 yup, I'm sure of it too!!
Another great vid! Tha k you for the hard work and information and enjoyment you give us all. Again we'll done and thank you
Thanks Archon, appreciate it! Honestly it is the interactions with viewers that make the hours worth the effort.
I had no idea you went off and became a famous $5.54 interweb person. That’s sick!
Lol, yeah, if I can get a little bit more exposure I could afford a Pumpkin Spice Latte once a week! Thanks for watching!
I’ve watched a few of these. Completely outside of my gaming interests, but definitely interesting to learn about!
Appreciate it. I watch a lot of vintage toy collecting videos, which are beyond my scope, but I enjoy learning that hobby. I can relate.
It's good to hear the bestiary section is sizable and covers a wide range of styles. It's still a concern I have about the Fantasy Companion and, fortunately, I don't really need it to run a decent low-fantasy game. The fewer monsters I need to modify or create leaves me more time for adventure building, though, so I'm glad the sci-fi one has a lot.
Exactly! The more work they take off my plate the better.
Hey, you broke into the Five Buck Club - now we know one of the glitterati 🙂 To ask a dumbish question, what's the difference between SWADE and the vanilla SW? I have the core rules for that, and while I really like what you showed for this SWADE companion volume, I don't know if I would still need to buy the SWADE core rulebook, if it exists? Cheers dude for another great video!
Thanks David! Not a dumb question at all… my only beef with Savage Worlds at all is in their edition branding… I have a whole video on the different editions, but basically, SWADE is Savage Worlds Adventure Edition, and it is the new version… the prior versions had a few differences (like a Charisma derived stat), but they were pretty compatible still… as an example, all of the Lankhmar books were created for the prior edition, but the conversion document is only a couple pages… to cover 6-7 books worth of conversion. So they are mechanically very close. A close analogy would be BX D&D to AD&D… they are different versions of the same game, but for experienced gamers it is not hard to convert on the fly. The biggest change in editions for me, is that the new companions are covering a lot more ground, because a lot of what was introduced in the old companions was rolled into the SWADE core, which in turn left room for better use of the companion pages.
@@booksbricksandboards783 Thanks for the overview, Justin! I'll go watch your video that covers the versions. Good analogy using DnD versions to explain the difference 🙂
@ I have a Savage Worlds playlist, I cover the editions fully in the “Buyers Guide” and also more briefly in “One System to Rule Them All.”
Swade works for every settings. This companion included. With one caveat.
Swade is horrible at replicating really gritty settings as Blade runner, cause Swade is flashy, and Blade runner is not flashy. Swade us fast, fun and furious. You toss bennies, you explode dice, you scream a "ahhhh" when this happens!
So if what you like is the gritty tone, pretty down to earth where heroism is not over the top Swade is to avoid. But that is perhaps more niche than anything.
Thanks again Pral!
Did you notice in one of the final art pieces in the book they show players around the table and one of them is using a D&D character sheet?
It's a great book. I am not sure it is good for Star Trek with its grounded plot lines (not talking about the new stuff with the trek logo on it). But then I don't like Mophidius for that either. But for more swashbuckling adventure like Star Wars, it's perfect.
On my copy, Page 303, they have a Pathfinder for Savage Worlds character sheet. One thing that I thought was aimed at Star Trek(and to be fair I am JUST getting into Trek recently) was the Starships as outposts rules, and the different positions within the ship. Otherwise, I don’t know enough about ST to speak to how well it would do there… YET! Hey thanks for watching!
Also, how well would this do Forefly? Would i need to combine in with Deadlands?
I think you are on the right track. I’d at least take dueling rules and some edges from Deadlands. But also, there are rules for scavenging that I did not mention in the video, which would go well in a Firefly game. Good question!
This might be blasphemy, but could you run a game similar to Traveller with this companion?
You absolutely could. The starship creation and customization tools, as well as rules for spaceships as a base are very extensive. Combine that with the scavenging rules and you have what you need.