Cthulhu Punk Rules from Steve Jackson Games
Review by Greg Kessler
Although H.P. Lovecraft looked remarkably like the original bass player for The Cramps (the late Bryan Gregory) I never took him or his writing for being particularly punk (or for that matter Cyberpunk). But someone did. The new GURPS CthulhuPunk from Steve Jackson Games brings the Shadow over Innsmouth to the world of Neuromancer.
Based on the original Chaosium game, Call of Cthulhu, the new game is part of the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System) system from Steve Jackson Games. SJG have taken the Lovecraftian universe and injected it with the world of computers and filth and morals gone wrong (usually referred to as Keanu Reeves). In fact this is the updated version of the game that SJG released several years ago, and is based on the now out of print, GURPS Cyberworld.
For those not familiar with the world of evil that H.P. Lovecraft created in the 1920′s and 1930′s; the Cthulhu mythos are a race of super evil beings that have long lived in the bowls of the earth, the ocean deeps, and the vacuum of space. Cthulhu is actually the name of the most evil of these beings, so he gets to have his name in the title. Although not read as much now as in the past, references to Lovecraft and his universe can be found everywhere in popular culture. The Evil Dead movies, Batman, and WWF superstars the APA (Acolyte Protection Agency) who wear the emblem of Cthulhu on their tights, all owe homage to Lovecraft. The new book contains extensive material on the conduct and history of the gods. It also addresses their followers and how they will conduct themselves in the game world.
The book also includes comprehensive information on:
Fictitious texts that augment Lovecraft’s universe (the Necronomicon being the most famous)
Places of import in this universe (Miskatonic University and Arkham Asylum)
A chapter outlining the world created in the Cyberworld book (although not as useful than if you had the original book)
Chaper 7 includes information on using this book in conjunction with the Chaosism, Call of Cthulhu game.
A Chapter on character generation and skills and abilities
A chapter on the creatures and populace that inhabit the CthulhuPunk World (those in the cults, creatures, and things that generally lurk about) which in many ways is as important as the conduct of the Evil Ones themselves.
It is great to see Cthulhu Punk join the GUPRS family. The Lovecraft universe is too big for one game company or one set of rules.
Steve Jackson Games
http://www.sjgames.com
Chaosium Games
http://www.chaosium.com/
Arkham House (Home of H.P. Lovecraft)
http://www.arkhamhouse.com
GK