Review of the Metamorphosis Alpha 3e

My First Glance review of Metamorphosis Alpha 3e:

Positives so far:

• Art - A lot of art displaying items, robots, androids, aliens, and the starship Warden.
• Format - Good index. Good flow. Easy reading.
• RPG Background - Good start. More details given than original MA.
• New system to learn - RPG system doesn't look too complex, should be able to pick up quickly. Can't be as hard as d20 and systems uses all d6s.
• RPG Material - Looks like I can use Gamma World items, characters, bots, and mutants without a lot of problem(s) and converting.
• Phases - Looks good for one shot games and an a lead in to a longer campaign. Good way have "Change of Pace" games inside a campaign.
• Central elevator - Background and diagram will make for a good template for other things in MA and Gamma World campaigns.
• Epsilon City - Sample city was interesting. Good solid base to start creating your own cities and campaign.


Negatives so far:

• Size of Rulesbook - Gamers' always want more. But price is not bad for what you get.
• No MA gaming material on WWW site - I assume it's in the works. Bummer in that I would be going there immediately to find new stuff.
• New system to learn - Always a pain to learn new systems. But as mentioned above offset by complexity. Does not look like a system that is that hard to master or convert to say Gamma World ;-)
• Could have used more in-character examples - Always want more to get into the spirit of the game. The page describing the bot, android, and soldier's log left me wanting a lot more. More damn it more...

As an experienced GW player/GM I could modify and or use MA and get rolling quickly with what I have seen.

Current Score: 3.5 out of 5 (Looks promising! At worse, it will give any Gamma World player/GM a ton of ideas!)


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More detailed review to come.. Things to look forward to:

• Artifact Resolution table - No I mean Item Complexity Chart. Woooooo.. This button can't be that dangerous?? That's what my guns are for! Crap.. Run!!
• Playing an Android without waiting for module GW10 to come out. - No, I mean the rules are already there for them and bots! Woo woo.
• Blowing a Mutant er Alien up with a Torc Grenade - No I mean an Onande AI Grenade. Uh, how many can I throw in a turn again?
• Ripping up Aliens in Powered Assault Armor. - No I mean Duralloy Armor.. Sweet.. Let them eat vaccum! The bots can plug all the holes in the hull, right?
• Killing my enemies with Micro/Mini-Missiles - No, aw hell, I will just have to use Major Missiles! Nuke'em till they glow! The bots can clean up the mess, radiation, holes in the walls, floors, etc.. I am wearing Duralloy Armor. Sweet. When doubt, let them eat plasti-steel, baby..."Lock and Load!"
  

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Part II of Review of Metamorphosis Alpha - In-depth review:

• Over all the rules book is well written. There are a lot of suggestions and advise offered that are not noticed at first glance.
• FastForwardGames has released some online material. This is a plus. There is a clear need for more support and material. I have been working on more material for others to use.
• Good open framework of rules. The rules are open, allowing for GMs and players to easily extend and expand as needed. Major plus in my eyes.
• The rules book as it stands is not for new people getting into RPGs. It will be harder for new people coming into RPGs to create the needed material for a long standing campaign. This should be fixed as more source and adventure material is released by FastForwardGames.
• The new rules are not Gamma World or the older MA. But as noted above, conversions by players and GMs is very easy to do. This will allow for a large number of items, bots, and creatures to be converted for use with the new MA immediately. As more material is released, this will add to what is available for MA GMs and players to use.
• MA is not a d20 system. This is a good and bad thing. The current trend is to use the d20 mechanics as everyone is already using them and it will be easier for players and GMs to pick up. As noted, by the author is this an update of the old MA rules. There is an audience that already knows the rules system, including most Gamma World 1st and 2nd edition players. Using a d6 based system now, may work out for FastForwardGames. Time will tell.
• As noted in my own attempt to create Character types for MA, characters are easy to create and use. If the GM and players want more attributes, they can be added or modified quickly and easily. I am sure as more material is released for MA more information, skills, and character possibilities will come out.
• The equipment in the rules book is a good starting point. Most people can use them as a template to create and design more. I know that future material and fans will provide a lot more in this area.
• Mutations as noted by others is just not enough. I wish more mutations and opportunities to use and create them were given in the rules book. Maybe this will be dealt with in future material? Mutations go hand and hand with MA and Gamma World. I would assume that one could convert mutations from other sources for use with MA.
• Creatures are another weak area. There are too few creatures for the beginner GM to use successfully. This is another area were converting creatures from Gamma World could be used till more creature and creature templates are released. I think more advanced players could modify what creatures are given in the rules book to provide more entertainment for thier players.
• Epsilon City and the Warden level layout deserve another mention. Both are full of ideas, places, and things to do. Well very thought out and descriptions for the space used in the rules book.
• The art used through out the rules book was great. Provides the GM and players with a good look at the items, creatures, and bots used in the game.
• Androids and Bots are both described and provided as character options. This is a major point as it provides more flexibility for players from the get go. Quite a lot of detail and information is provided in the space given to these subjects.
  

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The new Metamorphosis Alpha deserves a look. Even, if you have never played Metamorphosis Alpha or Gamma World. If you have played MA or Gamma World, then this rules book is for you. Especially, if you are a 1st and or 2nd edition Gamma World fan. Conversion possibilities are endless and if you are not a d20 fan, Metamorphosis Alpha is a good change from all of the d20 sci-fi games and supplements that are being released.

The Warden awaits....

Overall Score: 4.0 out of 5 (Release of promised MA material by FFG and a good solid base of material offer experienced players and GMs a wealth gaming of opportunities. Future releases will make the system even more usable to new GMs and players.)

01/23/06: Updated

I was updating the web site and decided to update this review of MA 3e. MA 4e is coming hopefully sometime in 2006. FastForward Games is no longer with us. Jim Ward has been working with Craig Brain and others to bring a new MA 4e to light. It has been a long run for many of us Jim Ward fans. I came late into the MA 4e testing and won't be playing a noticeable part. That is fine, with me. I will support MA and GW, in my own way, as I have for many years. I know, I am eagerly awaiting MA 4e. I am sure that Craig, Jim, and crew will do a most excellent job making MA an even better product than it was before.

If you are a Gamma World fan, please don't discount Metamorphosis Alpha. MA 3e can be had for a good price these days and it is not a D20 product. MA 4e is a new hope for GW and MA fans. I look forward to reviewing MA 4e upon its release. I hope one day that Jim will get the license back for Gamma World as well, and do some much needed updating.