Which ruleset do you think would suit this sort of game? I need it to be fun and quick-moving.
Sharp Practice the original version was written exactly for this type of game and it includes RN landing parties, characters such as Hornblower and Sharp etc and was very much scenario and narative driven with interaction with civilians/ maidens/spys, rescue missions, blowing things up etc.
The updated rules I haven't played yet, so am not sure how much they follow the original style. From my looking at the various threads and battle reports they seem less about the characters and more about the battle.
Sharp Practice the original version was written exactly for this type of game and it includes RN landing parties, characters such as Hornblower and Sharp etc and was very much scenario and narative driven with interaction with civilians/ maidens/spys, rescue missions, blowing things up etc.
It maybe worth sourcing version one and seeing how you get on.
The new version still has all the adventure stuff, probably more in fact
If you like SP, its worth picking the "complete Fondler". A set of scenarios for SP following the adventures of Richard Fondler RN the Too Fat Lardies character as he fights his way through the Napoleonic Wars.
Also you might want to have a look at Matakishis Napoleonic rules found here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=75952.0
1840s, ready to fight the dastardly Arab slavers on the Horn of Africa.
::sets out lawn chair, waits patiently::
While I'd also highly recommend SP for your game, if you've not played it before I'd jump right in with the new version - it still has all the derring-do of the original but there are many changes from the original mechanisms, making it clearer, more streamlined, intuitive and, above all user-friendly.
The availability of ready-made card decks and counters makes it easier to get started (though I've always enjoyed making my own character-specific cards).
There's talk of some supplementary rules being released to cover naval landing parties, cutting-out and other water-borne actions but you'll find the rules give a great game as they stand.
I hope to make my coastline terrain next week so there'll be a naval landing game report shortly after that using my Napoleonic rules.
(http://www.matakishi.com/webstore/OTHAFA%20cover%20600.jpg)
(http://www.matakishi.com/Napoleonic%20landing%20party%20British%203%20600.jpg)
http://www.matakishi.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6954206
The new version still has all the adventure stuff, probably more in fact. It's just that the reports are tending to focus more on a battle style. I think the introduction of Army Lists, which a lot of people were asking for, has opened up the rules to players who prefer a 'balanced' points based game. I just ignore the lists.