This Is The Way: A review of a Mandalorian TTRPG

This is the Way is a two-page RPG by Emmeryn based on Disney’s The Mandalorian.

I’m entirely sure they don’t have permission to use the IP, and I’m strongly divided on whether Geek Native should therefore be giving it any publicity. I want to support indie RPG creators such as Em. I also want to protect the rights of creators, even big ones.

However, This is the Way is a Name Your Own Price download, thus available for free, and so I’ll let that tip me into writing up a quick review of the simple game.

It is a simple game using a template we know so well. The template is the rule system. We’ll get to what the RPG says about the setting shortly.

There are three stats;

• Armor – which determines whether you take damage and which can be sacrificed to stop you from taking damage.
• Blaster – which determines whether you do damage and which can be reduced so that you can use some other excellent weapon for a while.
• Creed – which determines whether you’re following the Way and which can be lowed by being a bit more flexible.

As you’re a tough as nails Mandalorian, these stats all start at 5. The system rolls 1d6, and you’re trying to roll under your score to succeed.

As for the setting, you lost your home planet during the Galactic Civil War, which now spreads across the galaxy. Your people are known to be bounty hunters of talent and so earn their living as such.

This bit is my favourite;

Your abilities are possibly overstated, but your stoic demeanor and metal helmet make it impossible to see if you are sweating. This is the Way.

The second page is a table of quick roll up missions; a biome (swamp), interesting character (smugger), wants (to get money) and complications (crime syndicate involved).

I paid $2 for This is the Way and don’t regret it.

I don’t really need the second page, nor the first. As I said, I think we’re all now familiar with the system where you have a stat that’s named thematically and reduces and rises as the story ebbs and flows.

But! I’m happy with Emmeryn’s write up. It’s neat. It’s tidy. It’s punchy and easy to follow. Easily worth $2.

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• This is the Way