Cthulhu Live

by Robert H. McLaughlin

Book Overview

Cthulhu Live: Second Edition is a live-action horror role-playing game set in the universe created by Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937.) The game allows players to match their skills and wits... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568820410
• ISBN13: 9781568820415
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Chaosium
• Length: 155 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great Role-Playing in the Lovecraft Universe

Cthulhu Live is an excellent role-playing system for the Lovecraft Universe. The rules are explained very clearly, and are easy to remember and follow during live action play. I would highly recommend this to fans of the Cthulhu Mythos, or anyone who's tired of "The Same old LARP".

A Great Experience!

And they said it couldn't be done! The Great Old Ones themselves are stirring in their sepulchers over the first official live-action version of Chaosium's acclaimed Call of Cthulhu role-playing game. Based on the short stories of Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) and the expansive group of writers known as the "Lovecraft Circle," Call of Cthulhu took the gaming world by storm when it first appeared in 1981. Over the years, several organizations have created their own systems to bring Cthulhu gaming to life. This has been a challenging proposition at best.Cthulhu Live is the first officially licensed live-action role-playing system for Call of Cthulhu. The book contains a tremendous amount of information, ranging from the game mechanics of character creation, skill use, and combat, to the more challenging tasks of make-up, costuming, monster building, prop construction, and running a live-action game.Although it took 16 years for an official live-action Cthulhu to appear, it seems to have been well worth the wait. The basic rules structure is top-notch, streamlining the Call of Cthulhu rules into a simple, fast-playing system that is quickly mastered. I would rate the combat system as fair. It is one of the better non-contact systems I've seen for live-action gaming, but it's certainly the hardest element of the game for a new player to learn. We tried running a couple "practice battles" with all the players before starting the actual game, which seemed to help everyone later in the adventure.The greatest challenge gamers might face is assembling a large enough group to run many of the adventures proposed in the rules. Eight to 10 players seem to be about the absolute minimum for Cthulhu Live, and some scripts call for 12 to 20 players. Obviously, such games lend themselves well to a convention setting, but some gamers may find a challenge recruiting that many players outside of a larger city or a college environment. Some challenges may also arise finding a suitable area to play the game, but the book includes tips on finding game locations and preparing houses and apartments for game play. Quite a bit of preparation is required for the games, and the game master, or "Keeper," needs to have not only a good imagination and narrative skills, but some leadership and organizational abilities as well. This said, a well run session with a good Keeper and NPCs is a great experience.Fantasy Flight Games has published a second edition of Cthulhu Live that has rules updates and additions, an optional new combat system, and several new adventures. Several other projects are also in the works, to include a game support website and players' network. A lot of gamers will be looking forward to the continuing development of the Cthulhu Live system. I know that I am one of them.--Bob Apelt for Skirmisher Online Gaming Magazine

Greatest game avaliable

For all those who have said that the game is cheezy and doesn't lend itself to the Cthulhu atmosphere doesn't know how to play right. With the right amount of effort and this book, you can make a cardboard Byakee, yet surround it with such an spooky story, some good lighting and surprise, and you'll have your players screaming at the top of their lungs. Those that complain about the combat system seem to LIKE combat. The change from the first edition simplified the combat making the dice-like battles simpler. This is not a combat game, it is a game of learning and discovering the horrible truth of the universe around you. If anyone want's to run a LARP, yet is sick of seeing guys in trenchcoats chasing each other with stakes, then this is the perfect game for you.

Faithful to its source and unlimited in potential!

Cthulhu Live is so clearly a labor of love by those involved in its creation. There is a real sense of energy and enthusiasm throughout the entire book. The author obviously believes in the potential for the book and wants to pass that energy along to the readers. The creature creation and costuming tips inspire confidence that a truly memorable gaming experience is not only possible but easily achieved with this book's guidance. H.P. Lovecraft would be proud.

CthulhU LARP is one of the best LARP's around.

It is hard to compare this book to any other role-playing system, LARP or other. When compared to it's mother system, Chaosium's Call of Chtulhu Role-playing, it is barely more than adequate to convey the richness of the setting and the sheer amount of terror that comes with that system. But then again, comparing LARP to table top role-playing is like comparing apples and pears. So it would probably be better to compare it to other LARPs. And it is in this comparison that Cthulhu really shines. The most important reason I like this system, is for it's accessibility to inexperienced players. Unlike the PC's in ohter systems, like those of the Mind's Eye Theatre, here they are normal, regular every day people, and thus are not such a stretch to play as, say for example, Vampires, Ghosts, and Werewolves. Maybe playing mere mortals might not sound like an exciting idea, but wait till you find out what they are up against. This, the relatively easy system, and the good suggestions for props, monsters and make-ups. Make this the system for every starting LARP group, and I'm speaking from personal experience.