I played a session of this game this weekend. I really liked it. It's PbtA (Powered by the Apocalypse), so if you're familiar with Apocalypse World, Dungeon World, etc, you're familiar with the basic framework of the game.
The game peels back the curtain, you approach the session like you're building a TV show, though like real wrestling, unscripted things can happen, but every session starts with a plan. The Gamemaster role is called "Creative," they're in charge of booking matches (including who wins), picking some scenes before and after matches and helping to drive storylines between characters.
Each player plays a wrestler based on common archetypes. For example you can be a High Flyer, Monster, Hardcore, Technician or Jobber (or many more). This gives you some initial input on who you are and what kind of wrestler you are, as well as some custom abilities.
A match isn't about who is a better wrestler. During the match, one wrestler will have control, but both players will work together to describe the action. Control will pass back and forth, but the real question is how the match will impact your relationship with the other wrestler, and how much audience you gain during it. You're not trying to win the match, you're trying to get the audience to love/hate you as much as possible. To be top dog, you have to have the biggest audience.
I really liked it. The game has a narrative first focus, you don't pick your move, rather you describe what you do, and that dictates what move is activated. You'll learn what kinds of narration will trigger the moves you want, but this leads to exciting and memorable matches.
You don't need to be a fan of wrestling to enjoy the game. I haven't watched wrestling in nearly 30 years and I still had a blast. The game plays decent as a one-shot, but I would say that over 3-4 sessions it would really shine. You could play longer than that, but you have to start rotating through different characters; after 10-12 sessions, the continuity won't be relevant to where you started.
Reminds me a bit of the old Hong Kong Action Theater game...
Your comment on rotating characters amuses me,since it's something the actual industry has a hard time doing successfully most of the time.
It's partially just an issue with all PbtA games. It's not necessarily a negative, just something to be aware of. I think the multi-year campaign gets romanticized a bit, but it's not something that's really part of the gaming experience for a lot of people.
There are so many different games/campaigns I want to do, that personally I like the idea of a game being done after a few sessions. It means that I get to move on to another game that I'm excited about and try something new. I've been running a long PF campaign on and off, and it's fun, but even that I've broken into segments and have a definite end-goal in mind.
Good to see someone else that likes this game. I run it sporadically with the VGCW forums, filled with a lot of wrasslin' nerds like me. It's an awesome game. I know they are coming out with Season 2, which has more international wrestling playbooks, like the Luchadore, the Catch Wrestler, and the Purorasu,
Having taken it for a spin...
I don't think it would work as a mainstay game for too long (too much character turnover in what is a fairly limiting framework of character roles- but bear in my,my idea of "too long" is something on par with "two or more years"), but it's an AWESOME second game for any group to slot in on night when someone pivotal can't make it, or if everybody just wants a change of pace.
I'll be running more often now. I know they have International Incidents coming out soon, which will address longevity issues.
What is the catch wrestler?
I'll admit, I personally don't like wrestling, but I love that this is a thing, for those that do like (or love) it, awesome stuff!
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I'll admit, I personally don't like wrestling, but I love that this is a thing, for those that do like (or love) it, awesome stuff!
I stopped watching wrestling back around '86 or '87. I'm not a wrestling fan.
This game is still awesome and I recommend it highly. It actually works really, really well with a group of people who know nothing about wrestling.
A decent chunk of the rulebook is actually "so you like RPGs but don't give a toss about wrestling? Cool, here's how to have fun with it!"
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What is the catch wrestler?
It's more of the British style, with more submission holds and "real" wrestling. Treated more like a sport.
That’s what Catch-as-Catch-Can style was all about, “giving summat t’ get summat.” If Joyce offered an opponent his arm he wanted it to be taken because he was planning the counter, his next offensive, and the follow through. He was the master of the style.
Could be fun to try.
I confess being a big wrestling fan. Tried a few wrestling RPGs in my younger years...