Alright, I know it has been a week since this particular Kickstarter project closed, but I felt I needed to say a few things about it, once I got a chance to really consider it fully.
Someone made a tabletop roleplaying game based on the 1980’s animated adventure “Thundercats”.
Now, I’m sure you’ll note that – unlike other TTRPGs being funded via crowd sourcing – I waited until this project was closed to post about it. Why? Because I really, really, dislike this idea.
It isn’t that I have a problem with the setting, mind you. I was a fan of the cartoon back in the 80’s. I didn’t have access to anime where I lived, so I had to make due with shows like “Thundercats”, “Thundarr the Barbarian”, and so forth, instead. I wouldn’t call any of those shows ‘classics’ by any means, but they were fun, and did inspire some of my D&D games I ran here or there.
Yes, one of my players got the Sword of Omens. Yes, they were stoked. Yes, it got old, fast.
What bothers me is that this is all so, unnecessary. Why make a dedicated TTRPG for the “Thundercats” IP, when there are already plenty of games on the market that can do the same job? For example, “Barbarians of the Ruined Earth” is an amazing TTRPG that can recreate all manner of post-apocalyptic/fantasy adventure. It is basically “Thundarr the Barbarian” the TTRPG in all but name.
Now then, you are correct: BotRE would require a little bit of modification to recreate “Thundercats”. So if you are looking for a seamless gameplay experience, maybe this new game is exactly what you’re looking for? Personally, I’d rather modify an existing game that is a known quantity, and a game I know is of excellent quality, than back something that may be more specific but also… an unknown.
No, wait, that isn’t fair. This “Thundercats” TTRPG isn’t really an unknown quantity. They are using the D&D 2024 Edition rules, so… We already know it will suck!
Okay, low blow, I get it. But hey, they just raked in around $300,000, so I doubt they care what I have to say about the system they chose. But my point is this: D&D 2024 is a horrible choice for basing a TTRPG on. There are plenty of other games this company could have chosen to use as a basis for their game, ones that actually have an upside. If they wanted a D&D-like feel, they could have used “Shadowdark” or other Old-School Revival games. If they wanted exciting action and suspense, why not Modiphius’ 2D20 system? For team cohesiveness and base-building, something “Thundercats” could really use, why not Free League’s “Year Zero” system?
The point is, going with D&D 2024 was a rather short-sighted choice, considering the game is struggling compared to other competition like “Daggerheart”.
Anyway, “Thundercats” made it’s funding goal in one minute, so at least a few people are on board with what they are selling. I’m just not one of them.
