Great work on this. :) I feel like you really pulled together a strong system in a small space! The system feels pretty solid in spite of being both minimal and setting agnostic, which is not an easy thing to do.
Favourite details: This is really formatting nerdy, but I just really like your simple palettes and clean design. The rules and character sheet are just nice to look at, and the text blocks are spaced out well. It just looks good! Mechanically, I really like the idea of Gear as a non-modifier; just something that broadens what's possible. It's a great way to contextualize "stuff" as a whole, and also a subtle reminder that some things are impossible (so don't make zany rolls, just don't do it).
Maybe next time, consider: Page two is DENSE! I love all the extra work that went in to providing jumping points, but it gets to the point where you'd need a magnifying glass if you printed it.
As a last point, I feel like Pocket Adventures is juuuust flirting with a fantasy theme. You're clear that it could be setting agnostic, but there's still hints here and there what you had in mind. I don't think this will apply to everyone, but I would have loved to see you either lean into theme or take pains to be totally setting agnostic. Especially since there are little hints of how well you do theme already (see the Prestidigitation description on the first page).
ANYWAY. I'm grading you on a curve here because this is so well put together, haha. Reads great and you made a very cool piece; something to be proud of. I hope you got a chance to play it! And that it went great!
You are quite correct - Pocket Adventure is actually a full-featured game that has an extensive rulebook for world building that I attempted to squeeze a portion of into a single page for this jam. Perhaps I was too ambitious!
Comments
Great work on this. :) I feel like you really pulled together a strong system in a small space! The system feels pretty solid in spite of being both minimal and setting agnostic, which is not an easy thing to do.
Favourite details: This is really formatting nerdy, but I just really like your simple palettes and clean design. The rules and character sheet are just nice to look at, and the text blocks are spaced out well. It just looks good! Mechanically, I really like the idea of Gear as a non-modifier; just something that broadens what's possible. It's a great way to contextualize "stuff" as a whole, and also a subtle reminder that some things are impossible (so don't make zany rolls, just don't do it).
Maybe next time, consider: Page two is DENSE! I love all the extra work that went in to providing jumping points, but it gets to the point where you'd need a magnifying glass if you printed it.
As a last point, I feel like Pocket Adventures is juuuust flirting with a fantasy theme. You're clear that it could be setting agnostic, but there's still hints here and there what you had in mind. I don't think this will apply to everyone, but I would have loved to see you either lean into theme or take pains to be totally setting agnostic. Especially since there are little hints of how well you do theme already (see the Prestidigitation description on the first page).
ANYWAY. I'm grading you on a curve here because this is so well put together, haha. Reads great and you made a very cool piece; something to be proud of. I hope you got a chance to play it! And that it went great!
You are quite correct - Pocket Adventure is actually a full-featured game that has an extensive rulebook for world building that I attempted to squeeze a portion of into a single page for this jam. Perhaps I was too ambitious!
Simple but robust system at first glance. I'm intrigued. Your writing is also very clear, and I like that example of prestidigitation :)
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate you checking out my game :)
I love the way focus works, and those tables are epic!
Thank you!