The End d20 RPG

The End is a d20 roleplaying game setting unlike any other. It uses Christian apocalyptic theology as the background but places the players post revelations, as the meek that inherited the earth. In this case the meek are those who were neither good enough to be brought into heaven nor evil enough to be punished in hell. Although this may seem like run-of-the-mill post apocalyptic setting, there are also supernatural beings that were also intentionally or accidently left behind. It is also not a roleplaying game that promotes religion as revelations is only used for its setting. 

The game also has three things that make the game more unique: "The Blues and ennui. "The Blues" is a global effect that degrades man-made faster, but affects items less that have had and continue to have more interaction with people. That means a library would have to have people looking at each book and reading from it to prevent "The Blues". This makes resource acquisition very important before the items become unusable. In addition to "The Blues, "The Green" effect has nature reclaiming the earth. Finally, Ennui is an effect where if people do not have beneficial interaction and companionship with other people they can lose control of their emotions and mental faculties. The player's score in ennui can decrease with triggering events like seeing violence or death.

For the above reasons, this game is recommended for mature audiences. This game was originally published in 1995 and received an update in 2002, which is this edition that I read through. The editing needs to be tightened up a little as some parts are followed by a rewording of the previous sentence or paragraph but that is a minor criticism. I will keep this game and use parts of it for others in particular settings, as I can see this being used just as well in a fantasy setting. The company is no longer in business it seems but follow the link at the start of this post for the DriveThruRPG page to order electronic copies.

Car Wars

 Car Wars has been around since 1980 and is a marvelous game for fun in a world setting where the second amendment of the United States is taken to the next level. That might not sound like fun but to a teenager like myself and my friends it was perfect. The main point of the game is to choose or build your vehicle and match them against other players with the same budget. With films like Death Race 2000, Mad Max series, and Damnation Alley around there was a lot of inspiration for vehicles and scenarios. It also improved my math skills and soon I was able, on long car rides, to build vehicles in my head by choosing the chassis, suspension, handling system, weaponry and gear, armour, and tires. Fun times were had playing arena duels with a bunch of friends. Hard choices always had to be made with maneuvering at high speeds as your handling score was reduced with difficult maneuvers.

There were additional supplements for additional vehicles frames, weapons, equipment, and doodads. Uncle Albert catalogues were always sought after for the latest and greatest. Over time it was like memorizing sport statistics but immensely fun. 

Additional pre built vehicle catalogues and Autoduel Quarterly magazines also added to the world of Car Wars. There were also a series of geographic area guides detailing who's who and what's what for making scenarios and story lines for friend to play in. I have not played it for a few decades, as Gaslands became easier to set up and play, but the system still holds a dear place in my gaming heart. 

The best of the scenarios is Convoy. Made shortly after Car Wars was released is one of the best miniature scenario books I have ever played. It got a lot of use by myself in my later teenage years, as I had moved far away from my friends, and is playable with 1-6 people.

I recently played it with a good friend and we finished the adventure in a day through a series of situations and combat. It plays like a choose your own adventure except combat is decided by playing a Car Wars game based on the adversaries and setup.

It was a hoot to play it through after so many years and to play Car Wars again. It makes me want to pull out my other solo and multiplayer adventures for Cars Wars. Great fun.