Supervillains (role-playing game)
Supervillains is a superhero role-playing game published by Task Force Games in 1982.
Gameplay
[edit]Supervillains, set in New York City, is a combination of a board game and a role-playing game involving tactical combat between superheroes and supervillains.[1] It is a "generic" superhero game that is not associated with a line of comics such as Marvel or DC.[2]
The game comes with a board map and cardboard counters representing the pregenerated heroes and villains. A few role-playing rules are included.[2]
Publication history
[edit]Supervillains was designed by Rick Register and published by Task Force Games in 1982.
Reception
[edit]In Issue 56 of The Space Gamer, Steve List commented that "While super-powered villains are the stuff of comic books, a game about them must be designed at a level demonstrating more sophistication than a comic book. SV fails in this regard. Mr. Register has a vivid imagination, but has failed to translate his ideas into a coherent form. Coupled with this is the typical lack of care shown by [Task Force Games] in proofreading, editing, and organizing their products. The combination is deadly. Avoid Supervillains."[1]
In his 1990 book The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games, game critic Rick Swan questioned whether this was a role-playing game at all, writing, "there's a lot more board-gaming than role-playing, and it's dismal board-gaming at that." Swan found the rules were "so full of holes that the players are virtually forced to invent their own game." Swan concluded by giving this game a dismal rating of only 1 out of 4.[2]
Other reviews
[edit]- Different Worlds #23 (Aug., 1982)
References
[edit]- ^ a b List, Steve (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer. No. 56. pp. 29–30.
- ^ a b c Swan, Rick (1990). The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 200.