Number Three

[ThiagoMartell]

OK. We all know FATAL is the worst RPG ever written. We also know World of Synnabarr comes really close and gets 2nd spot. No one is arguing that.

Who takes third place, though?

My guess is on Haiiii-ya! (http://www.goodman-games.com/4390preview.html).

[Anderlith]

Iron Claw (extra words i needed to post this to post this)

[ThiagoMartell]

Iron Claw (extra words i needed to post this to post this)

What is that about?

[Anderlith]

What is that about?

Talking animals doing adventuring things, with really terrible mechanics. I think there's a book series "Redwall" that is it's inspiration

[Vitruviansquid]

Haven't read it myself, but I've heard deadEarth has a character generation system in which you can die before your character is completed.

[TuggyNE]

Haven't read it myself, but I've heard deadEarth has a character generation system in which you can die before your character is completed.

Several times over, in fact. Details at Dyson Logos' blog (http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/top-5-reasons-you-should-be-playing-deadearth/). (A truly hilarious read, by the way.)

[Amphetryon]

Spawn of Fashan.

EDIT: Link (http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_6157.html)

[comicshorse]

Cyberpunk 203X (or Cyberpunk 3rd edition)

[Kadzar]

I haven't actually read World of Synnibarr, but is it actually that bad? From what I've heard, it's just full of really random stuff, like a certain species of frog-people who start out with something called "heal spring melons", a police car that can go thousands of miles per hour while using only something like 1/100,000th of its fuel tank, and a timeline full of events that have absolutely nothing to do with each other and in some cases don't seem all that noteworthy. Whereas FATAL is racist, misogynistic, vile, contains no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and is a blight upon the name of RPGs. Even if World of Synnibarr is very poorly designed game, it doesn't deserve to be grouped together with FATAL.

And even if it did, it wouldn't deserve 2nd palce, because Hybrid (http://www.insolitology.com/other/hybrid.htm) exists. Hybrid is, for the most part, utterly incomprehensible. The parts that can be understood either show a complete lack of understanding about science or the world in general, or they are racist or misogynistic (though not to the degree of FATAL for the last two, but definitely beating it on the first). Also, like FATAL, it is obviously the product of an unwell mind.

[ThiagoMartell]

I haven't actually read World of Synnibarr, but is it actually that bad? From what I've heard, it's just full of really random stuff, like a certain species of frog-people who start out with something called "heal spring melons", a police car that can go thousands of miles per hour while using only something like 1/100,000th of its fuel tank, and a timeline full of events that have absolutely nothing to do with each other and in some cases don't seem all that noteworthy. Whereas FATAL is racist, misogynistic, vile, contains no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and is a blight upon the name of RPGs. Even if World of Synnibarr is very poorly designed game, it doesn't deserve to be grouped together with FATAL.

And even if it did, it wouldn't deserve 2nd palce, because Hybrid (http://www.insolitology.com/other/hybrid.htm) exists. Hybrid is, for the most part, utterly incomprehensible. The parts that can be understood either show a complete lack of understanding about science or the world in general, or they are racist or misogynistic (though not to the degree of FATAL for the last two, but definitely beating it on the first). Also, like FATAL, it is obviously the product of an unwell mind.

OMFG, it is indeed worse than Synnibar. :smalleek:
I guess Synnibar takes 3rd place, after all.

[yosimoshe]

And here is your number three (or two?)
http://web.archive.org/web/20080212094700/http://atrocities.primaryerror.net/rahowasucks.html

[Kadzar]

^^^Okay, yeah, that's at least #2, probably #1. I never thought I'd say this, but, as bad as FATAL is, at least it doesn't encourage genocide against real people.

[AuraTwilight]

Incorrect, they say if you read FATAL all the way three times, you literally become Hitler.

Also, Racial Holy War is definitely number 2. As bad as Synnibar is, it's completely non-malicious and pleasant-hearted.

[Averis Vol]

Am I the only one who got a nose bleed from reading that link....no seriously, I think I have brain damage, everything's turning a little tie-die in the room right now.

[ThiagoMartell]

Main, that monstrosity and Hybrid tie at 2nd place.
OK. Synnibar is far from number 3. Far, FAR from number 3.

[Craft (Cheese)]

And here is your number three (or two?)
http://web.archive.org/web/20080212094700/http://atrocities.primaryerror.net/rahowasucks.html

I giggled when I read "Latrino."

I'm going to hell.

[Grinner]

I've actually been meaning to post about the worst RPGs ever (whereafter I would attempt to purchase and read copies of each, rather than just talking about how bad they are, without even reading them). I'd like to add Wraeththu to the list of contenders for #3.

[Randomatic]

Main, that monstrosity and Hybrid tie at 2nd place.
OK. Synnibar is far from number 3. Far, FAR from number 3.

The people that did one of the RPG.net reviews for FATAL revised their position that Synnibar was the worst RPG ever. They said they were mistaken about how bad an RPG could be, and upgraded Synnibar to quirky and quaint, with really bad mechanics. So it has that going for it. :smallsmile:

[IdleMuse]

Iron Claw (extra words i needed to post this to post this)

The newest Ironclaw is really good? If talking animals aren't your thing, then sure, but I might dislike vampires, it doesn't make VtR a bad rpg. And the system for Ironclaw is quite good? Pretty innovative merging of racial and professional abilities, faaaairly balanced, interesting and varied options.. It may not be the most polished work, but it's no FATAL.

[ThiagoMartell]

The newest Ironclaw is really good? If talking animals aren't your thing, then sure, but I might dislike vampires, it doesn't make VtR a bad rpg. And the system for Ironclaw is quite good? Pretty innovative merging of racial and professional abilities, faaaairly balanced, interesting and varied options.. It may not be the most polished work, but it's no FATAL.

being "no FATAL" is enough to be the 4th or 5th worst RPG ever, methinks

[LibraryOgre]

http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Worst_RPGs_ever

That's a fairly good description of the current title holders.

[ThiagoMartell]

How can Haiii-ya not be on that list?!

[hiryuu]

How can Haiii-ya not be on that list?!

Have you read "Haiii-ya!"? Have you played in a campaign of it yet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJcJTs9NUl4)?

[ThiagoMartell]

Have you read "Haiii-ya!"? Have you played in a campaign of it yet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJcJTs9NUl4)?

Yes, I read the Quickstart. No way I'm paying any money for this crap.
The math makes no sense. It's a 'martial arts' game that has four styles, being that they are actually only two. "Choose +1 Offense or +1 Defense" is a lot more honest than "Choose a style! Karate or TKD, +1 Offense" without even explaining what the hell Karate or Tae Kwon Do are.
The Signature Move mechanic does not reflect the source material. Usually, the most powerful attacks have short names.
The system uses big numbers for no reason whatsoever. There are no tactics involved and no semblance of balance whatsoever (Weird Warping of Space is better than all other powers, period). It uses a hex grid for no reason, as well - there are no rules for cover, stickiness or attacks of opportunities, making it a system with abstract positioning disguised as a system with tactical positioning.
It sucks. It sucks bad.

[Susano-wo]

haven'r read haii-ya, but it bills itself as a game on the promo page...never says RPG. So I had hoped it was more of a 'fun' martial arts battle game. Please tell me it never says that its an RPG...please!:smalleek:

[Dimers]

I don't "do" schadenfreude. My natural response to seeing something terrible is a feeling of empathy, not "I'm glad that's not me!" But after reading about these systems, I'm really really glad I have a little more sense than their authors did. My homebrew system is too complex and (ten years into the design) STILL too derivative to publish, and I'm so happy I have the brain cells to recognize that.

I solemnly swear, should I ever get the itch to publish, I will begin by posting arrogantly and insultingly on RPG.net and pay attention to what the forumgoers tell me in response.

[ThiagoMartell]

haven'r read haii-ya, but it bills itself as a game on the promo page...never says RPG. So I had hoped it was more of a 'fun' martial arts battle game. Please tell me it never says that its an RPG...please!:smalleek:

It says so, but it makes clear it is a very lighthearted game, even mocking more serious games when it talks about motivations.

I thought that link for a campaign of Haiii-ya would be, ya know, a link for a game of Haiii-ya. No, it's just a cartoon's opening. :smallconfused: I thought that guy was defending the game.

[hiryuu]

I thought that link for a campaign of Haiii-ya would be, ya know, a link for a game of Haiii-ya. No, it's just a cartoon's opening. :smallconfused: I thought that guy was defending the game.

Psht, no.

But someone has to fight for right for might of the Dragon. To live the code the code of the Dragon.