Hey there, Internet! It’s your favorite curmudgeon, Captain Z, and today, as we enter Year Two, we take a look at an RPG that takes the d20 to places it’s never been. I’m talking about Third Eye Games’ Apocalypse Prevention Inc. (API).
API is a secret organization dedicated to stopping the supernatural from ending life as we know it. It actually happens a lot more than you’d think. Does this sound familiar? It’s because it’s kind of like Men in Black, right down to the uniform, which is a black suit and sunglasses. In the world of API, many different races are playable, including humans, burners (demons that can conjure fire), lochs (giant fish demons), changelings, and others. There are also some species that are deemed “illegals,” highly dangerous demons that consistently cause trouble on Earth.
This game uses the Dynamic Gaming System, an original system that you won’t find anywhere else. Characters are created entirely with point-buy, meaning complete control of what your character can do. There are six stats that can range from 1 to 10, with higher stats granting better abilities. Talents and fighting specialties can be purchased, and more points can be earned by taking disadvantages. Many of these abilities give a bonus to one of five combat stats: Strike, Roll, Dodge, Parry, and Grapple. These stats are used to perform different actions during combat, which are listed in detail in the book.
One fish, two fish, man fish, pantsed fish.
Combat initiative is handled in a very unique way. There are 20 counts in a single round, each of which represent 0.5 seconds. Every action you take has a Speed which dictates how many counts it takes, which lowers you down the track. When the count gets to your number, it’s your go. There is no AC like other d20 systems. Instead, attacks are opposed by reactions such as dodging or parrying with opposed rolls. It creates a new level of strategy, as you can dodge as many times as you have to without using actions, but it will keep lowering you down the count and you won’t be able to act. You have to choose when to take your shots and when not to.
This game, in presentation and execution, is an experience truly unlike any other. You’ll either really enjoy it or strongly dislike it, and I’m on the side of enjoying it. It’s definitely not the best point buy system I’ve ever seen, and the fact that you almost have to play an API agent for the game to work is not a plus, but if your group is looking for a change of scenery, this game is not a bad option.
THE VERDICT
Pros
-Non-random character creation
-Combat is fun and original
Cons
-Setting restricts scope of characters
-Better point buy systems exist
3.5/5 Stars
Stop by next week for more fun and games, see you then!
Zach Hagenbucher has been a surveyor of entertainment of all forms his entire life, and like almost everyone out there, he has a few choice words about quite a few topics. In Genre gives him a place to spout those topics in a semi-legitimate format on the interwebs. He thanks you for taking the time to read his work, because if you're reading this, you've probably done so. So thanks! He's currently based in central Wisconsin. 
Pingback: Press-Apocalypse Prevention, Inc. | Third Eye Games