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kelsey (8 KP) rated Honey Heist in Tabletop Games
May 29, 2019
A Roaring Good Time!
I ran a one-shot of Honey Heist with my TTRPG group and had an absolutely wonderful time with it. The rules are extremely simple (one page long!) and don't need a lot of effort/studying to get a game rolling. Honey Heist runs on a D6 system that's very GM-hands-off. The players completely run this game, and the only time you need to step in is when providing some description, for NPC role-play, or if your players need you to step in and help them out.
My players had a wonderful time with this game, and I did too. Of all the games I've run, it's probably the one where I had the most fun. We couldn't stop laughing, and I really felt engaged in helping my players move along through the story. As with all TTRPG sessions, things never go to plan and even with a really simple one-shot laid out, we had absolutely no chance of finishing a story in one night.
The one thing I will mention that I don't love is the point system in the game. Players have 6 points which they allocate to two dimensions: Criminal and Bear. Dependent on rolls, you move these points (for example, a player wants to knock someone out, they succeed on a roll and move one point to Criminal, thus they now have 4 in criminal and 2 in bear.) I found that pretty quickly balancing was precarious, especially because my players wanted to do a lot that was roll-worthy. We employed the mechanics that allow you to counterbalance a little bit, but it still felt tough to help my players stay leveled (or at least in territory where they were "safe".)
Overall though, this game is a wonderfully good time, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a fun TTRPG to try out.
My players had a wonderful time with this game, and I did too. Of all the games I've run, it's probably the one where I had the most fun. We couldn't stop laughing, and I really felt engaged in helping my players move along through the story. As with all TTRPG sessions, things never go to plan and even with a really simple one-shot laid out, we had absolutely no chance of finishing a story in one night.
The one thing I will mention that I don't love is the point system in the game. Players have 6 points which they allocate to two dimensions: Criminal and Bear. Dependent on rolls, you move these points (for example, a player wants to knock someone out, they succeed on a roll and move one point to Criminal, thus they now have 4 in criminal and 2 in bear.) I found that pretty quickly balancing was precarious, especially because my players wanted to do a lot that was roll-worthy. We employed the mechanics that allow you to counterbalance a little bit, but it still felt tough to help my players stay leveled (or at least in territory where they were "safe".)
Overall though, this game is a wonderfully good time, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a fun TTRPG to try out.
Enjoyable but forgettable
Sadly for Artemis, it isn’t a patch on The Martian but I suppose it did have very big shoes to fill.
Despite not living up to expectations, it’s still a very fun and enjoyable read. Jazz is a loveable scoundrel as the main character, and the rest of the supporting characters are endearing too. To the point where there doesn’t appear to be a main antagonist, at least not one that appears in the flesh. The city of Artemis is well thought out and well written and it’s a great setting for a story. The main problem is with the heist itself, it’s just not a strong enough storyline and I feel like a much better concept and plot could’ve been spun from the first city on the moon.
It’s definitely an entertaining read, but sadly not one id tell people to rush out and read, and is mostly forgettable.
Despite not living up to expectations, it’s still a very fun and enjoyable read. Jazz is a loveable scoundrel as the main character, and the rest of the supporting characters are endearing too. To the point where there doesn’t appear to be a main antagonist, at least not one that appears in the flesh. The city of Artemis is well thought out and well written and it’s a great setting for a story. The main problem is with the heist itself, it’s just not a strong enough storyline and I feel like a much better concept and plot could’ve been spun from the first city on the moon.
It’s definitely an entertaining read, but sadly not one id tell people to rush out and read, and is mostly forgettable.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ocean’s 8 (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019
Forgettable
Apart from the first one, I’ve never been particularly enamoured with the Oceans films, so I never really saw the need to make a new one with only women. Sadly after watching it, i still don’t think it was necessary.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ant-Man (2015) in Movies
Jun 9, 2018 (Updated Jun 9, 2018)
Long-in-the-works Marvel movie gets around lack of big names and (if we're totally honest) significance to the ongoing MCU meta-plot through sheer good humour, inventiveness, and charm. Loveable rogue gets recruited by curmudgeonly ex-superhero to take on his mantle as very tiny special operative Ant-Man. Possibly most famous for the fact that original writer-director Edgar Wright was fired from the movie, allegedly for refusing to stick with the Marvel house style - his influence over the movie is still very noticeable to the discerning, though.
Absolute originality probably isn't the movie's strong point (it is sort of vaguely reminiscent of various other movies in the series), but the caper-heist plot structure is at least a little bit different, as is the 'people get really tiny' schtick. Also, compared to the movies on either side of this one it's a relief to see something not in danger of buckling under its own weight. Doesn't take itself too seriously; piles of fun.
Absolute originality probably isn't the movie's strong point (it is sort of vaguely reminiscent of various other movies in the series), but the caper-heist plot structure is at least a little bit different, as is the 'people get really tiny' schtick. Also, compared to the movies on either side of this one it's a relief to see something not in danger of buckling under its own weight. Doesn't take itself too seriously; piles of fun.
Alina Diaconescu (2 KP) rated Six of Crows in Books
Dec 13, 2018
Loved the story (2 more)
Loved that every character comes from very different backgrounds
The plot and intrigue
Awesome!!
Six of Crows is taking place in the magical universe created by Leigh Bardugo, the Grishaverse.
It follows the story of a crew hired to kidnap the creator of a very powerful and very dangerous drug from a fortress that's never been breached before.
Kaz, the leader of the crew, selects five people, each with a particular set of skills designed for completing this impossible heist.
I liked the complexity of the characters, the way they all have they're background stories and different relation with the people in the crew, which influences every action and the way they react to the others.
I also enjoyed the fact that this is not your usual superhero story where good wins over evil. Instead the powers come with a lot of complications and internal struggles and the line between good and evil is blurred out.
Definitely recommend this book!!
It follows the story of a crew hired to kidnap the creator of a very powerful and very dangerous drug from a fortress that's never been breached before.
Kaz, the leader of the crew, selects five people, each with a particular set of skills designed for completing this impossible heist.
I liked the complexity of the characters, the way they all have they're background stories and different relation with the people in the crew, which influences every action and the way they react to the others.
I also enjoyed the fact that this is not your usual superhero story where good wins over evil. Instead the powers come with a lot of complications and internal struggles and the line between good and evil is blurred out.
Definitely recommend this book!!
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