Rifters 47, 48 & NORAD info

[DtMK]

Given that both these Rifters have articles dealing with Chaos Earth and Rifts Earth versions of NORAD, could someone tell me what they think about them, and if they're worth picking them up for them? Thanks!

[jaymz]

Given that both these Rifters have articles dealing with Chaos Earth and Rifts Earth versions of NORAD, could someone tell me what they think about them, and if they're worth picking them up for them? Thanks!

I thoroughly enjoyed them and they are definitely worth the get IMO. Then again I typically enjoy every Rifter and find something useful in each and every one so i may not be the best source

[Lord Z]

I thought that these were two excellent scenarios. There are some rough spots, but overall I can see a new GM running these games and players having a lot of fun with it.

Here's the bad: They don't match eat other in pacing. The first game could easily be resolved in two or three sessions (five days in game). The second game is structured as a very slow expedition which works more like a campaign (probably several weeks in game). There are a few nitpicky bits I didn't like such as the dinosaurs with animal-level intelligence who cast Armor of Ithan. All the nitpicky stuff, however, is in the little details. These games are basically dungeon crawls -- very linear storylines, so a GM will need a lot of buy-in from the players, especially in the second game. A couple of the items which most needed illustration were not drawn in favor of stuff that we already knew pretty much how it looked. Lastly, there is an unclear motivation for the player-characters in the second game, so a GM might get a little frustrated with players wanting to back out part-way through the adventure. I don't want to go into too much detail on that last point due to spoilers, but a good deal of the events detailed along the way dissuade (directly and indirectly) the characters from going further to the point where the wise thing to do would be cut their loses and leave.

Here's the good: The games are moody, action-packed, suspense-building fun. There are several new monsters in each game (yay!) along with new character classes (eh) and new equipment (groovy). I really liked some pieces of new equipment while other seemed a little pointless. In the first section, the author organizes his areas of the dungeon crawl chronologically so that each room is different when it is visited on a different day. This builds both familiarity for the players and efficiency of maps. I thought it was a brilliant way of presenting a well-structured story. The artwork is of mixed quality, but most of it is good. The spatial demon is great.

[kevarin]

i loved the fall of norad ran it over the holidays with my brother and his kids
man was fun but one of the kids died wanted to go with the heavy armor group
at the end of the campain and couldnt talk him out of it

[DtMK]

Good input, thanks everyone!

[DtMK]

Good to know. I'll have to save my pennies and consider it for my next purchases.

[The Galactus Kid]

Yes, They are great. I love both adventures, and I agree with Citizen Lazlo. They could very easily have been turned into a 64 page sourcebook...and may be yet.

[Bood Samel]

What would be great would be a joint rifts & chaos earth book on famous real and semi-mythical American military bases.

[Lord Z]

Kevin has been rather public about his disappointment in sales of adventure books. He seems to be down on the entire concept of an adventure book. The N.O.R.A.D. Duology has a saving grace of featuring new O.C.C.s (which seems to be something very important to Kevin), so it's not impossible, just unlikely.

[Xar]

As of the most recent Gateway to the Megaverse podcast, Kevin doesn't seem to be too hip on new O.C.C.s anymore. He kept talking about character archetypes.

[jedi078]

Been running The Fall of NORAD adventure over on www.rpol.net and it is working out quite well as a starting adventure for a Chaos Earth game. I have added a few of my own twist to the game, but hey most every GM does that.

I have looked at the Return to NORAD adventure and debating if I should run the game whether it will be a CS military game, or as a game with Rifts: New West characters.

[Lord Z]

If you are enjoying the Chaos Earth camapign, why not stick with that?

[jedi078]

If you are enjoying the Chaos Earth campaign, why not stick with that?

With play by post games, I can (and do) run several games simultaneously.