Pulp Alley or 7TV for a pulp adventure?

[Legionnaire]

I blame you lot! That pulp stuff looks very appealing and seeing there are several The Shadow minis out there,  I am VERY tempted to do some in this vein later this year/ next year.

It might be a strictly solo affair, but could also be something that's played at my LFGC.

I have to build up a collection of course but the question is which rules?

I have only a very brief passing experience of 7TV but Pulp Alley also looks very good fun. I want ONE ruleset that give me what I want out of the setting.

Probably most important: I want my rules to be nice and simple, don't want to have to cross reference tables, calculate a shot for a minute before rolling the dice and not too many things to have to keep tabs on (special abilities, statuses etc).

I could use Fistful of Lead but wanted something else to go with this venture.

So, recommendations? Pro's and con's?

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[wolfen]

I have no experience with 7TV but love Pulp Alley. Very simple yet engaging rules, no need to cross reference tables, has a great solo play set up, can be adapted to any setting. I play mostly with my kids (9-17) and they understand the rules really well.

[Andy in Germany]

I came into tabletop gaming through Pulp Alley, and I have no experience of 7TV, so I'm in no position to make a comparison.

I went for Pulp Alley because of the 20's/30's aesthetic. I'm much more interested in story than game mechanics; much of the on-board action is a springboard for narrative.

I find the rules are a good balance between giving lots of options and variety in individual characters and stories, while not being so complex that I can't keep up with them.

[LordBrentlake]

I prefer Pulp Alley, if nothing else because it is so flexible. If you want to see it played, Dave has an excellent YouTube channel with a live game on a Sunday.

[aircav]

Pulp alley for me as well

[Legionnaire]

A resounding majority in favour of Pulp Alley. 

I like what I hear and I have seen some AAR's that looked good fun.

I have my eye on some Crooked Dice minis for my initial "League". Thinking "Masked Crimefighter", "Plucky dame/ joirnalist", a "Mysterious Antiquarian" and if need be some capable odds-and-ends. Maybe a "chauffeur/ pilot"... wheels start turning.

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[d phipps]

Hi Legionnaire --

There is a free download for the Pulp Alley Quick Start guide, and it includes most of the rules you'd use for the game. It is an easy way to checkout the game without having to spend anything. Here is a link to the free download -- https://store.pulpalley.com/product-p/f100.htm

I enjoy playing Pulp Alley and we've played it regularly for over 10 years. And I designed the game. 

I'm not familiar with 7TV's rules, but I think they make some awesome figures.

[Legionnaire]

Hi Legionnaire --

There is a free download for the Pulp Alley Quick Start guide, and it includes most of the rules you'd use for the game. It is an easy way to checkout the game without having to spend anything. Here is a link to the free download -- https://store.pulpalley.com/product-p/f100.htm

I enjoy playing Pulp Alley and we've played it regularly for over 10 years. And I designed the game. 

I'm not familiar with 7TV's rules, but I think they make some awesome figures.

Thank you very much for your input sir! It seems very inspirational and most of all, people seem to have such fun with it.

Indeed, those Crooked Dice figures looks amazing, so I think I've settled on your rules, their figures.  Kind of best of both worlds  .

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

Agree on Crooked Dice miniatures, they're beautiful and it can be a real rabbit hole to go down. "Oh, they make a what? Is that even an option? I want it." Is what happens whenever I check out their site. "I didn't want a full-sized layout for a power generator before but I do now!"

You should check out Pulp Alley's minis too though, I think Crooked Dice and Pulp Alley are both on the same level in terms of cleanly cast metal miniatures.

[Legionnaire]

Agree on Crooked Dice miniatures, they're beautiful and it can be a real rabbit hole to go down. "Oh, they make a what? Is that even an option? I want it." Is what happens whenever I check out their site. "I didn't want a full-sized layout for a power generator before but I do now!"

You should check out Pulp Alley's minis too though, I think Crooked Dice and Pulp Alley are both on the same level in terms of cleanly cast metal miniatures.

I hold you to a certain extent responsible for this sir!  Having seen your wonderful take on PA in Japan I definitely thought: "I want to so something cool like that too!"

Pulp action will be my next project later this year, but I do have to almost start from scratch  . Not a big problem in itself, being fortunate to live in the UK with many producers of "stuff" here, it's really just a matter of putting my time in and get what I need, preferably so it could fill multiple roles.

Thank you very much for your advice regarding the minis. I can't paint like they show up on CD homepage but boy, do they look astonishingly good or what? I will buy the full rules first and go from there in terms of miniatures and scenery.

Exciting stuff!

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

I'm glad I could help inspire you! I love sharing games and stories with others and I'm glad you got something out of it.

My painting isn't the best either, so I feel you on the CD paint jobs.

[Triarii]

As above, the PA game writes the story as you go - its period and location neutral too.

[Legionnaire]

I'm glad I could help inspire you! I love sharing games and stories with others and I'm glad you got something out of it.

My painting isn't the best either, so I feel you on the CD paint jobs.

That's what the hobby is about isn't it? Getting inspired and finding enjoyment in the most unlikely places  .

Your take has made me think of a more Chinese angled one. I lived in China at a point in my life, so I was thinking along the lines of Chinatown in America, Beijing/ Shanghai and Lost Temple of (name under debate).

I want a Tong influenced League and a Masked Crimefighter one and know which minis I'm going to purchase. Terrain in mostly affordable MDF from TT Combat. Probably will buy the Starter Box as well.

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[Legionnaire]

As above, the PA game writes the story as you go - its period and location neutral too.

Thanks for the input. I do want a 30's style game and really considering a Chinese flavour to it, with same terrain in different milieu.

Regards,

Legionnaire.

[snitcythedog]

Our club plays both on a regular basis.  They both have their good points and they are both fun.  For the base mechanics I prefer how Pulp Alley works but that does not mean 7TV is clunky or difficult.  It is just a preference.  Both tell a story and both play well and I really wouldn't necessarily demand one over another.

Sorry, I missed the solo bit.  I have played Pulp Alley solo but not 7TV so my comparisons are based on player vs. games.