How I Lost My Sense of Game Loyalty

Back in High School, I met this game.  She was called Dungeons & Dragons: Third Edition.  You’ve probably know her; she got around.  She and I had a long and committed relationship.  I never strayed.  All other games were pale imitations of my love.  Okay, sure, I spent some time with her sister, d20 Modern, but it was a one time thing.

Sadly, she let herself go.  I mean really let herself go.  She got bloated, and confusing, and perpetually more expensive to keep, and so my eyes started to wander.  What follows is a chronicle of the games that tempted my heart.

Shadowrun: Fourth Edition

Shadowrun and I were friends when I was young.  Nothing intimate, mind you, but I always carried a small torch for her.  Then one day she shows back up with a new sense of style and some…  really exiting assets.  To say that I was attracted to her dice pools is an understatement.  But alongside her mechanical features, she has a deep and developed history.  A sordid past that always keeps me guessing.  I’ll be honest, if I ever decide to settle down with a single game, It’ll probably be Shadowrun.

Dungeons & Dragons:  Fourth Edition

I’ll admit it.  By the time 4e hit the scene, I was looking to ditch 3.5.  I’d had enough of her, and 4e came with so many promises.  She promised to be everything that 3.5 wasn’t–to shore up all her flaws.  I was captivated.

Turns out, I’ve never met a more demanding game.  It’s her way, or no way.  And her way doesn’t make any sense to me.  Plus, shes loud and always violent.  I can’t have that.

Savage Worlds

As fate would have it, I met this supermodel of a game called Savage Worlds.  She’s thin.  She’s flexible.  She’ll do anything I ask of her, and she’ll do it quickly.  She stays out of my way and costs me almost nothing.  And I love her.  So why?  Why are my eyes wandering to Pathfinder?

Pathfinder

This is my old, cruel mistress again.  Sure, she’s cleaned up her act a bit.  She’s made efforts, and she’s dressing better than ever.  But the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing but expecting a different result. I know she’ll burn me.  I tell myself that I just want to play a little.  A little fun on occasional weekends.  Rationalizations, all of these.  I simply can’t get her out of my mind.

Oh well.  At least I know my friends like her.