"This game feels like we're play testing it" - My GM

This is a PbtA game where they take out a lot of the PbtA feeling and charm and then even some of the tools for the GM IE fronts, and replace it with what feels like unfinished organizational systems; debt (no moves based on debt for the GM) and Factions (no faction types or moves for the GM). These GM tools are just there and are not integrated into the rest of the game much at all.

Very few moves lead to "hard choices" as defined by the moves themselves. In fact most of the moves for the players are not even moves at all in the traditional PbtA sense but rather things you can do in certain specific situations with out rolling.

Not being aware of the kickstarter it brings me some unhappiness that it sounds like "supplements" that were stretch goals that could possibly finish up some of these rules problems I am having (not sure if they would or not) and it feels like I purchased an incomplete game. Especially "sitting on my self" of other PbtA games.

The front cover has a blerb which sold me on buying the game, it's about how the game is a back and forth between you racking up debts and being forced to go explorer new worlds but few of the rules actually support this back and forth for both the player and the GM. In retrospect I would pass on this one.

[rewritten review with a few corrections] UNCHARTED WORLDS is a generic science fiction game based on the Apocalypse World rules engine, and does a good job of explaining these rules.

Players define what their characters want to do, and these intentions are analytically classified into specific Moves. Players then roll 2d6 plus a Stat for each kind of Move. Rolls of 10+ succeed outright and definitely, but rolls of 7-9 succeed with some kind of cost or consequence. Players pick an Origin and two Careers for their character which grant the character various Skills, which define or enhance the 2d6+Stat roll. The Game Master presents the setting and story as usual, but must decide on the complications and setbacks, presents foreshadowings, and decides how unsolved problems get worse. The Game Master NEVER ROLLS DICE THEMSELVES. The Game Master is also encouraged to write games with elements that remain undefined, and turns these questions over to the players.

The way the rules are structured, the dice-rolling and Stat/Skill adds resembles Traveller on the front-end but the outcomes are non-numerical and reminiscent of Fate rules. The Game Master decides the meaning of "successes at a cost" and on occasion flips a question back to the players. Damage, for living beings and machines, is on a five-tier system, where untended conditions may get worse and turn into permanent "Debilities" that affect ability.

On some good skill-rolls, the player may define something about the game that is absolutely true (and the GM must run with that), or can collect and spend Data Points that improve the roll on informative Moves by +1 each.

The rules have skills to cover both exploration of unknown planets and urban adventures with political intrigue. There are chapters for qualitatively described medical operations and healing, weapons and gear, vehicles, trade and Debt (players take note of fulfilling Debt but there is no credit-counting in this game), factions (wealthy and powerful groups which have the function of Patrons in Traveller), starships and starship combat, and a sample adventure illustrating the loose plot-style that allows player input.

There is no game setting or star system generation scheme detailled here, although Kickstarter backers were said to have received additional material about planets and factions.

The author is fond of slipping in movie-quotes in the text, so I say to him, "A beginning is a delicate time." --Princess Irulan, DUNE. I encourage him to develop more adventures or material to demonstrate the game and bring out the strong points of the system.

I didn't have much to go on from the preview, but the description on the first page mentioning traveller as inspiration sold me on picking this gem up! While Dungeon World takes the AW engine in a direction closer in line with dungeons and dragons, I feel Uncharted Worlds stays closer to the design of apocalypse world, which I love. But at the same time it takes the effort to create new moves that really drive towards the core of what you want in a space opera game. I'm thoroughly impressed and plan to use this game for some campaigns in recently released or soon to be sci-fi video game properties...

I haven't taken this game out for a spin yet, but from my first read through I can only say that I am thoroughly impressed. This is a great interpretation of the Apocalypse Engine, and one that is a lot clearer stated than at least Dungeon World, which is the AE-game I have experience with. Compared to that game, the wording and set-up of this one shows a lot more clearly how it is intended to be played. Anyway, the system seems robust enough that this could probably be played in a more traditional way, due to the way equipment, character concepts, moves and everything works. For somebody not familiar with the AE, I will just say that this system is flexible enough so you can do most anything with it, and it covers a lot of ground through simple but robust mechanics.

Quite simply, this game has me stoked, and I really can't wait to try it out. It's the space rpg I've been waiting for. Amazing book. Recommended.

An Apocalypse Engine space opera, vividly drawn in primary colours and chock full of good ideas and nice flourishes.

The game achieves a Traveller style vibe with a rules light, 'Move based', approach. I'm still finding my way through it, but recommend you take a look. It makes me want to spin up some starter sandbox elements, shed my prep heavy behaviours, and blast off on some adventures, where I as a GM will discover the plot with the players. Build a tasty framework with the tools provided, close eyes, and start 'prompting'.

For those that know Apocalypse Engine better than me, you have a well written toolset that is wide open and eminently hackable.

Shiny.