Pyramid Review
The 1PG Companion: A Toolkit For Deep7's Beer & Pretzels RPGs
Published by Deep7
Written by James Stubbs
Illustrated by Sam Carlisle
24-page 445K b&w PDF Document; $3.95
When you consider that the original 1PG game, Shriek, took just four hours to create, it is amazing that the concept has come so far. Since the release of Shriek, it has been joined by another eight titles (one of which has been translated into Italian), and the core game engine has even been effectively "doubled" for use in the XPG line of games -- Mean Streets: The RPG of Classic Film Noir and Bloode Island XPG. Each 1PG title emulates a particular movie genre and is designed to have all of its rules contained within a single page for both the GM and the players. The bulk of a 1PG title is made up of movie inspired scenarios that again fit onto a single page and should last no longer than an evening's play. Further the incredibly quick to create characters are intended to be as throwaway as the games themselves . . . (This is not to denigrate the 1PG series of games, as they are invariably excellent throwaway games!)
Over the course of the nine 1PG titles, it has become apparent that there are things the rules have yet to cover, or are not allowed for within a particular genre. These include rules for vehicles and vehicular combat (hinted at in the Star Legion and Battleforce Bravo: Wartime Adventure RPGs) as well as rules to allow less deadly brawls, particularly suited for the pulp action of the Dime . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: January 31, 2003
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