Latest Review
CHANGED STARS
My most recent review is of the independent spacefaring scifi game, Changed Stars by DieselShot (you can find the team here: https://www.changedstars.com/ and here: twitch.tv/dieselshot). It is
a positive one. While there are some ideological issues that I have with the setting's usage of species and some terminology, I widely regard this as a major improvement on the genre, particularly in the TTRPG
space. Great care is taken by the game's authors to excise the imperialistic undertones of space travel. This is not always successful. But it is better for an author to try their best to make a statement than
it is to say nothing at all, for the most part.
The mechanics of the game are also intelligently designed. My personal preference for games is a focus on social systems but I am not so arrogant as I would say that this is the best way to make a game. Fight
scenes are also engaging and Changed Stars takes multiple steps to improve upon the neo-traditional game structure. Much more focus is given to the environment that fights take place in. Environmental hazards,
survival subsystems and robust ship to ship combat rules add new levels of tactical gameplay. Character creation is enhanced through special talents and archetypes, which allow even supporr type characters to
play in the space.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I have spoken to the team on Bluesky and they were very respectful and kind towards me. A summarized version of this analysis was reviewed by a member of the team. This is
a far cry from the treatment that I often find when speaking on TTRPGs from a critical viewpoint. Regardless of the content of one's work, the most important thing is how you treat other people. When it comes
to this metric, the team could not excel more.
You can click through to this review by selecting "Changed Stars" in the tab menu up top.