Serenity Role Playing Game

by Jamie Chambers and Margaret Weis

Here's How It Is... The Earth got used up, and we found a new solar system and used terraforming technology to create hundreds of new Earths. The central planets formed the Alliance and decided that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931567506
• ISBN13: 9781931567503
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Margaret Weis Productions
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 1.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.7" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

An encyclopedia to the verse

If you're like me, you don't have the time or know the types of people that would play an RPG. Nevertheless, this book will really be of great resource for any Firefly/Serenity fan. A wealth of details and descriptions of items of the Verse from planets to ships is present. Which is great for the average browncoat to a hardcore roleplayer. To roleplayers, which I am one, just don't get a chance to do it as much as I'd like. I really like how they've done the character creation system. Character's are required to at least have one positive and negative trait and many more if you choose so willing. I think the depth of the characters from the shows has really been captured and attempted to be recreated rather well in this form. Again, to roleplayers and non-roleplayers alike, if you're a Firefly/Serenity fan, you will love this book.

Quick to Learn, Fast to Play

Having gotten my hands on a copy of this shiny rulebook, my standards for the RPGs I play jumped a few notches. The core rules are simple and efficient, and the primary mechanic---the use of Plot Points---allows for a lot of fun, drama, and good storytelling without removing the gritty, life-on-the-line feel of the series. To put myself in perspective, I'm a long-time gamer and gamemaster, and actually contributed to the playtesting and design of the Serenity Roleplaying Game. Up until just now, I was refraining from posting a review, as I considered myself biased....however, the reaction to the game that I've recieved from my friends (who did not get to contribute or playtest) assures me that my views are far from unusual. After showing the book around briefly, I've got more than 20 people wanting to play, some gamers with no Firefly experience, some gamer Browncoats, and some Browncoats who never touched the funny dice before in their lives. And they all love it. After doing character creation---unusually easily, compared to d20 or AD & D, or even White Wolf---and a few brief sessions, everyone is having fun with the game. The dice system (rating each attribute and skill as a die-type like 'd4' or 'd8', rather than an abstract number) made it easy to get the non-roleplayers into it, and my gamer-geek buddies love the atmosphere of the game and characters, the way they can control the story with Plot Points instead of just getting 'experience points'....the list goes on. To draw this ramble to a close, everyone whom I've shown the book to has gotten something fun out of it---the setting, the rules, the chance to sail the black. The chance to spit in the eye of the Feds, or turn tail and run like a bitty little bug when the Reavers come callin'. That's what makes this game so worth it, whether you're just a fan of the show, a gamer who never heard of Serenity, or someone without experience in either.

Great game for RPG players and/or Serenity fans

ok so who am I, its good to know a little bit about the person your reading a review of. I am a firefly/serenity fan at least once I saw it. I missed it when it was on TV but watched it a couple a months back and fell in love with the show and its concept. I have been a gamer (both GM and player) for over 15 years and have played just about all the games out there (D & D in all its versions, Deadlands, 7th Sea, Spycraft, Silver Age Sentinals, the list goes on and on). So I write this review as an experienced gamer and a fan of the show. If you're a fan of Firefly/Serenity or an RPG lover that's looking for some space action then this is the game for you. Having played the game at this years Dragon Con and read through the book a couple times since I can speak some degree of experience. The rules are simple and easy to understand, which is good for both first time players and those like me that are a little tired of some of the other more rules heavy games. I also am a believer that the rules system captures the spirit and shininess of the verse very well. Jamie Chambers did a fine job here is that respect. He made the game different while still capturing the spirit of the show/movie. In the open gaming license age that we live in its nice to see some games out there that have not bowed down to the all mighty D20. Not that there is anything wrong with that I am a big D & D/d20 fan. It is however nice to play different systems some times and as good as the d20 system is its not the best for every game. For Serenty this system just works better then D20 would have in my opinion. As for the book it's self; the layout, art work, graphics are awesome. Its great that they were able to use many pictures from the movie without spoiling it, so don't be afraid to pick it up now it will not spoil the movie for you. You can learn a good deal more about the verse from the pages of this book, but there isn't an answer to everything. I am sure/hope that if the first book is successful there will be future books to go into greater depth about the world of firefly/serenity. The fiction that was written by Margaret Weis is awesome and really captures the characters from the show and gives you a better idea of how the game plays. The only negative is that I want more, which is a good thing, lol. The book is so good I am already looking for the info on the next book, supplements, web enhancement, adventures, etc. Well its time to get a move on, I need to go convicne a local theater that a midnight showing on Thursday the 29th is a good idea, lol. Have fun with the book and make sure to see the movie.

Your Gateway to the 'Verse

Here's the way it is: this is one VERY shiny game. I've been a professional both in novels and game design. I'll tell you straight up; Margaret and I go way back and that's a lot of words on the page. So maybe you'll think I've got a bit of a slant to my review. That's fine - but it doesn't make this game any less shiny. This is the game that after twenty years of rules-smithing brought me back to having fun in an RPG. This is the game that actually made me want to PLAY an RPG just for the fun of it for the first time in years. I love `Firefly' and will be ahead of you in line for the `Serenity' movie. This game, however, has brought me a gateway to experiencing the `Verse first hand - to feel like I'm a part of it. This isn't your Daddy's RPG - from cover to cover this book is a feast for the eyes. There's substance here, both in the graphics from the film and the details of the `Verse, Serenity and her crew- all supported by a rules system that is easy to learn, fast in action and infinite in its application. It's all here in the finest presentation I've ever seen for a game or any other book for that matter. For `Firefly' fans, `Serenity' fans or those of you RPG fans looking for the best game out there - this game is a must. I've got my four copies for my family and the dice are rollin'. Maybe I am biased - but that don't change the fact: this is the one you need.

Role playin'- Browncoat style....

I am not a role player but I bought this book on the strength of learning how to play. The book is covered with beautiful photographs and design layout of the various ships. It also has a geography for the known 'verse. The book has dossiers on all the crew members with their strengths and weaknesses if you choose to play as a crew member. For the more creative fan, the book walks you through creating a new character. Like all role playing games, the background history is given as well as rules to follow. If you are a gamer and loved Firefly this is right up your ally. IF you are a Firefly fan and do not game , this is right up your ally because of the history and insight to characters is wonderful, along with photos, diagrams, etc. For any fan of Firefly, this is a must have.