Ratings for - RPGnet RPG Game Index

Statistics: Universalis

Core Game Ratings

Rating: 6.58 / Ranking: 398

These ratings are based on 17 ratings with 2.40 average weight and 5 reviews.

This is compared to an index-wide 3.64 average ratings and 1.98 average weight.

This rating earns a high level of trust because it is high weight and thus probably the result of knowledgeable raters weighing in.

Ratings + Reviews:

19%

10%

23%

35%

Index Ratings Only:

10%

18%

21%

26%

11%

RPGnet Reviews Only:

20%

60%

Core Game Comments

All User Comments

Rating	User	Comments
9 / 10	fifth_child	Universalis strips the concept of a 'roleplaying game' down to its core, to see what sort of bones are really there under all that meat. It's an excellent game, infinitely versatile, and the only one out there that really deserves the moniker 'universal.'
8 / 10	Seth Ben-Ezra	This game was instrumental in bringing about the current wave of GMless games. A truly universal game with simple rules, but customizable on the fly. The 2006 edition is preferred, though, because Ralph Mazza did an excellent job of organizing and streamlining the text, which was somewhat confusing in the original edition.
8 / 10	Halfjack	An interesting direction to take gaming with novel and fluid mechanics. The replacement of the GM authority with a simple economic model for narration rights is a stroke of genius.
8 / 10	Skiorht	One of the most intriguing games around. It does stretch the definition of a roleplaying game to its limits, but as the game works and is a blast to play, I'm not too hung up on the details. The first edition is not the easiest to grok, however.
7 / 10	Uruush	This game is a lot of fun with the right group. The rules were really hard for me to navigate though. I think they want a re-write. Find someone who knows the rules well to explain them to you and your play experience will likely be a "9".
6 / 10	Thanuir	Works well, as long as you have a lot to say. Otherwise the tokens just pile up.
6 / 10	Adrienne	I've played both one-shots and months-long games of Universalis. With a group that's willing to pitch in ideas, it can be a great game. The only thing that kept it from a higher rating is how little guidance the book provides for making a coherent, lasting story--in my experience, without some thought and effort, it's hard to sustain anything longer than a "kitchen sink" one-off.
4 / 10	Simple Man	The very essence of a storytelling game, with great amount of book keeping required. But also a lot of "what do I do with it" going on...
1 / 10	Zachary The First	Was disappointed with this purchase. Felt like an exercise for drama students more than anything.
0 / 10	Yokiboy	Haven't played it yet.

Core Game Reviews

All RPGnet Reviews

[ Link Reviews ]

Rating	User	Summary
4 + 5	Lael Buchanan	Universalis: The Game of Unlimited Stories. This game is all about Shared Storytelling. And it accomplishes its goal with style. [ Read Review ]
4 + 5	J B Bell	Universalis: The Game of Unlimited Stories. A potent story-game that can run from beer & pretzels play to serious drama, with innovative mechanics, well thought-out rules, and good presentation. [ Read Review ]
4 + 4	Jonathan Walton	Universalis: The Game of Unlimited Stories. While the game itself may seem best suited to one-shot sessions with little character immersion, Universalis is nothing less than a prophecy of what progressive gaming might become. Sliced bread better watch its back. Here's why. [ Read Review ]
4 + 5	Christopher Bradley	Universalis: The Game of Unlimited Stories. A truly innovative, subtle and wonderfully flexible and adaptable game. [ Read Review ]
2 + 4	matthijs	Universalis: The Game of Unlimited Stories. Universalis is hard to read, but its rules are clear and make perfect sense. It doesn’t tell you how to create stories. It helps you create interacting narrative elements, and decide who gets to say what when. [ Read Review ]