Star Patrol
Star Patrol (originally known as Space Patrol) is a role-playing game published by Gamescience in 1977.
Description
Star Patrol is a science-fiction space-adventure system.[1] In the initial release, Space Patrol, the brief rules cover character creation and abilities, psionics, alien creatures, gravity, and combat with superscientific weapons.[1] In the re-release, Star Patrol, the rules cover character creation, 25 skills, psionics, monsters, robots, 32 alien races, starships, starship combat, and more.[1] Professions include soldier, engineer, scientist, astronaut, trader, rogue/thief, and spy/diplomat.[1] Star Patrol also includes five introductory miniscenarios.[1]
Publication history
Space Patrol was designed by Michael Scott Kurtick and Rockland Russo, and published by Gamescience in 1977 as a 32-page book.[1] The game was revised and re-released as Star Patrol in 1980 as a boxed set containing a 68-page book, a large deck plan sheet, a large hex sheet, cardstock miniatures, and dice.[1] A second edition of Star Patrol was published in 1982, which included a "Mission Master" accessory.[1]
Reception
Eric Goldberg reviewed Star Patrol in Ares Magazine #11 and commented that "Star Patrol is a failure as a game, largely because of its incompleteness. The designers display flashes of brilliance and a talent for elegant development, but much too infrequently to make this a useable game. It is an excellent collection of ideas for sf role-playing, and I would recommend it highly to someone interested in an accessory for Traveller, Space Opera, or Universe."[2]
William A. Barton reviewed Star Patrol, Second Edition in The Space Gamer No. 47.[3] Barton commented that "Overall, Star Patrol is a valid alternative to Traveller. Relatively complete – and playable."[3]
Reviews
- Different Worlds #16 (Nov., 1981)
- Dragon #58 (Feb., 1982)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 317. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
- ^ Goldberg, Eric (November 1981). "Games". Ares Magazine (11). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 25-26.
- ^ a b Barton, William A. (January 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer (47). Steve Jackson Games: 25–26.