I know a few authors that would like to answer this with multi-volume series of Fantastic Military Adventure.
Or, to put it another way, we've got this playable already and it's smarter than GATE ever was.
(You can buy that here.)
But recently we've seen a fresh take on the other go-to for this sort of thing.
This is how to run Rifts the correct way. pic.twitter.com/YbQ0PSwzof
— JDSauvage 🏴☠️🎗🏵⚡️⚡️ (@jd_sauvage) July 10, 2025
Quoting Brain Leakage:
"100% agree.
Five sessions in, and my impression of RECON 1e is that it could be used as a core system to trim the fat off of Palladium/Megaverse.
Only 3 main attributes. Combat uses the same percentile mechanic as the nonweapon proficiencies. Impact grid for area effect weapons.
Minimal tinkering, and it could handle almost anything in the setting."
It's Palladium. Not only is this permissible, it's necessary because Uncle Kevin can't be bothered to make a complete and coherent product- nevermind a real game. Quoting JD:
"Word to the wise, AD&D 1e this is not.
There is 0 support for 0 prep play.
Do your homework."
And yes, this does mean that Tabletop's been doing this scenario better for decades. AD&D1e + Gamma World 1e is a good enough mix to do this premise, and there's plenty of other past products published that address the premise directly. Some of them are even playable.
It also means that, given the same prompt, hobbyists will ROFTstomp the Del Ray Empire flat within weeks and then celebrate.
Harmony looks so happy in that clip, doesn't she?
In the meantime, go read Forgotten Ruin. They even made their own tie-in game.
In my opinion; Gate is better than both Rifts and Torg as a concept for mass consumption precisely because of its limited scope compared to them.
ReplyDeleteThe Gate opens to one world i.e. D&D land. And focuses on that contrast and conflict. So you don't have the gonzo genre mashing that Torg and Rifts tout as a plus.
Far more straightforward a concept for Normies to grasp and follow.
Forgotten Ruin works along the same principle. And it is a good thing.