Rifts and Rebels: A World Gone Wyrd
Picture this: 1792 when a peculiar bell-shaped object materialized in the moon's orbit. Then, BAM! Rifts start popping up everywhere, like someone spilled reality and it's leaking into other dimensions. These rifts are two-way streets, letting humans explore parallel Earths with tech that'd make a DeLorean look like a horse-drawn carriage. But here's the catch: you can't just bring stuff back and forth without some serious side effects. This leads to the shady world of "Wyrd Tech"—futuristic gadgets sold on the black market. Alongside these technological marvels, a wave of radical new philosophical and religious ideas has swept through society, challenging long-held traditional beliefs and sparking social upheaval.
As Ishtar Associates, you're the first line of defense against this chaos. You're like the A-Team, but instead of a van, you've got steam-powered zeppelins. And just like those 80's heroes, you often work solo, but team up when things get hairy.
Nations at War: A Steampunk Cold War
The 19th century is a powder keg. Nations are eyeing each other like rival gangs, the great powers world threatening to plunge into open warfare as they desperately vie for control of potent Wyrd Tech. A steam-punked powered Cold War.
Suspicion and Sabotage: Every country is paranoid, fearing someone else will get the upper hand with alien tech. This deep-seated distrust fuels a shadowy underworld of espionage and sabotage as nations scramble to secure their own technological edge while simultaneously thwarting their rivals.
Economic Power Plays: Countries like the Netherlands are flexing their economic muscles, controlling trade routes and resources. Adding another layer of complexity are the powerful corporations, such as the Ütter-Krapp, which wield immense influence, controlling vast infrastructure and even carving out their own de facto provinces.
Colonial Chaos: The ghosts of colonialism are haunting everyone, with empires facing rebellions and unrest. The Dutch Empire, for instance, faces increasing scrutiny over its iron grip on the East Indies and its treatment of the local populations.
The Technological Revolution: New tech is flooding the world, changing everything from industry to society. However, this technological leap is unevenly distributed, with some nations and powerful corporations forging ahead while others struggle to keep pace.
Political and Social Earthquake: Old beliefs are being challenged, leading to political and social upheaval. Nations are desperately trying to adapt to these pressures, some succeeding while others face internal strife and fundamental restructuring.
Economic Tides Turning: The global economy is a wild ride, with new trade routes and powerful corporations like Ütter-Krapp. Some nations are thriving in this dynamic new environment, while others are on the brink of economic decline or instability.
The Siren Call of Wyrd Tech:
The allure of Wyrd Tech is undeniable. Nations and clandestine factions alike are actively engaged in a desperate race to acquire and reverse-engineer these alien technologies, hoping to gain a decisive competitive edge. This relentless pursuit of technological superiority is a major driving force behind the simmering conflicts, leading to a shadowy world of espionage, sabotage, and fierce competition for control of rift locations and the incredible alien technologies they yield.
How to Play: Rolling with the Rifts
When your Associate faces a challenge, Nightwatch uses a straightforward system of checks to determine the outcome. You'll roll dice and compare the results to a Target Number (TN) set by the Puppet Master (PM).
Traits and Skills: Your character's core physical and mental capabilities are rated on a die scale (D4 to D12), and skills, and learned proficiencies, give you an edge when making checks. It's like leveling up in an 8-bit RPG.
Resolve: Spend Resolve tokens to reroll dice or influence the story. It's like having a cheat code.
Boon Die: Roll an extra D6, and if it's higher than your Trait Die, you can use it instead. It's like getting a lucky power-up.
Surge: Roll the highest number on a die, and you get to roll again and add it to your total. It's like hitting a jackpot.
Debacle: Roll a 1 on both your Trait Die and Boon Die, and you suffer a Debacle. It's like getting a game over screen.
Combat: Fortune Favors the Bold
Combat uses Fortune Cards that inject narrative twists and provide unexpected bonuses or penalties, keeping every encounter fresh and exciting. The initiative is determined by drawing these cards, and each character gets three actions per turn, with penalties for extra actions. Defense is handled by the defender rolling against the attacker's TN. It's like playing a card game within a combat scene.
Nightwatch vs. Savage Worlds: A Quick Comparison
If 'Nightwatch' sparks a sense of familiarity, it's likely due to its roots in the Savage Worlds Adventure System RPG. While sharing that foundation, 'Nightwatch' doesn't simply rehash; it innovates, injecting its own distinct and flavorful mechanics.
Similarities:
Both use character traits/attributes.
Both use dice-roll success/failure mechanics.
Both use target numbers for difficulty.
Both feature skills to enhance actions.
Both have degrees of success ("Overkill" in Nightwatch).
Differences:
Boon Die and Fortune Cards for narrative combat.
"Surge" mechanic vs. Savage Worlds' "exploding dice."
"Debacle" mechanic for double 1s.
Defender rolls vs. attacker's TN; Savage Worlds: both roll.
Even pre-Kickstarter, 'Nightwatch' sparks excitement with its blend of steampunk and interdimensional intrigue. The Kickstarter campaign effectively positions itself within a rich setting, promising "Steampunk Mechs, Secret Cults, and Cosmic Mysteries," merging steampunk with cosmic intrigue and pulp action. The author's established community actively engages in collaborative world-building, discussing character motivations and societal impacts within the setting. This interactive approach highlights both the author's vision and the community's enthusiasm.
The Fortune Card combat system is a highlight, praised for its unpredictable narrative twists that empower players alongside the Puppet Master. Beta tester feedback is positive, with one experienced player citing 'Nightwatch' as "probably the easiest system to pick up and play" due to its quick action and character creation. Another alpha tester lauded its strategic gameplay and rewarding challenges. The richly detailed setting, a 19th century warped by alien influences, is a major draw.
The author's setting, clashing Victorian society with otherworldly phenomena, resonates with the community. Players appreciate the detailed historical grounding mixed with fantastical elements and the potential for diverse storytelling. Presented as "TTRPG Lite" to attract newcomers while engaging veterans, the game features well-received mechanics like the Fortune Card system and streamlined rules for drones, prosthetics, and vehicles. This positive early reception and Kickstarter anticipation underscore the community's excitement for this unique RPG.
My Take: A Wild Ride Through the Rifts
Diving into 'Nightwatch' evokes the thrill of a Jules Verne adventure directed by John Carpenter, a potent blend of wonder and grit. The Fortune Card system keeps combat dynamic and narratively rich, a significant departure from standard dice-rolling. The setting itself is a playground of possibilities, where a character like Professor Thaddeus Sprocket could easily find himself tangling with alien cults while navigating intricate political machinations. The world-building here is a major strength, crafting an alternate 19th century infused with advanced technology and mysterious anomalies, a place where steampunk aesthetics collide with cosmic horror and pulp adventure.
My own experiences mirrored the positive feedback from beta testers. The game delivers on its promise of accessible mechanics and engaging gameplay. It's a world where strategic planning is rewarded, and overcoming challenges feels genuinely satisfying. Even a chaotic moment, like a zeppelin crashing into a clock tower during a chase, translates into pure, 80’s cinematic action. "Nightwatch" isn't just a game; it's an invitation to explore a richly imagined world, and early impressions suggest it succeeds in offering a unique and captivating TTRPG experience.
So, grab your goggles and your gadgets, and get ready to explore the rifts!
