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dw_maintenancecashewCortex is a TTRPG system that's meant to be a universal system.
Ok, quick explanation: in TTRPG space there are two design paths. First path, design a system to represent relevant player actions in the setting which the game is meant to take place. This is exemplified by D&D, where the system accounts for magic and spells because the setting is meant to have magic and spells.
Second path, design a universal system meant to be used to resolve story conflicts that is setting agnostic. Systems such as FATE, GURPS, RISUS and Cortex are all such games.
And sure, Cortex Prime might have won tons of awards for game design and presentation, but also...no. So I'm going to vent about my problems with Cortex.
( Cortex is an over designed piece of crap with crunch in all the wrong ways. )
So. In conclusion, Cortex is an overdesigned piece of crap.
cashewAs much as I love Studio Ghibli material and worlds, I'm not very happy at seeing Obojima being officially collected on D&D Beyond. Mostly because the book is written by a bunch of white guys who seem to think watching some Ghibli movies means they can capture the nostalgic nature of Studio Ghibli's creation and fail to realize the magic of Studio Ghibli isn't something that can be reproduced through emulation. It's not the "vibe" that makes a Studio Ghibli film what it is, it's the themes, thoughts, personal experiences that Takahata and Miyazaki brings to the story that makes the works stand out.
Fundamentally, Studio Ghibli works center around personal growth and contrasting the mystical with the mundane. Magic is both whimsical and terrible in the Ghibli worlds, yes, even in a work like Kiki's Delivery, because magic is the domain of childhood. Because the purpose of magic in Ghibli works is to be a metaphor for childhood wonder. This is in direct opposition of what magic stands for in D&D, which is a tool to be used rather than a majesty of nature to be wondered at. The way magic is handled narratively is fundamentally in opposition of each other. So unless the system reduces access to magic as you level up (which it doesn't), this project is just a ... really shitty imitation.
In other news: It's been really hot and I'm melting. Plus, I've been going through some really shitty cramps for about a week now.
branchandrootdancing_serpent
