Start with a disdain for complex role playing systems. Add a ton of pop culture references, an understanding of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, a simple one die system that is flexible enough to handle every circumstance,  tons of humor, candy, bisexual cheerleaders, and the belief that player characters should be ‘naked and on fire’ and you get Hex Games’ Quick Ass Game System (QAGS).

Don’t mistake QAGS for a joke system. At first I thought it was a parody of Steve Jackson Games’ GURPS, but the more of QAGS I read the more I liked it. It is a legitimate system with a surprising range of possibilities. One of the first things that endeared this system to me was that they acknowledge that RPGs are devices for story telling. Their expert use of Campbell’s work is testament to the fact that although the text is light and full of jokes they do know their stuff. The mechanics of the system are a simple d20, ‘roll high without going over’ mechanic. Character creation looks to be simple, with an emphasis on the character concept and background. Every character has a WWPHITM (WHO Would Play Him/Her In The Movie) trait. Not only do they fill their book with film/TV/literature/historical figures but they want you to do the same when you create a character. They stress that this shouldn’t be used as a crutch but as description. I think this is a great idea. If nothing else it will help the other players envision your character.

The most unique aspect of the QAGS is the use of Yum Yums (YY). YY are candy handed out to the players by the GM. The players then can use it to bribe the GM. They can give the GM YY in order to improve die rolls, re-roll die rolls, avoid die rolls by auto succeeding, or alter reality in small ways to suit their character. The GM is encouraged to hand out YY to anyone who makes his job easier. YY are also spent to improve characters. A legitimate use of a YY is to eat it so you have to have a certain amount of willpower or you will always be out of YY.

QAGS is also a great system to teach new players about Role Playing Games. It describes how to role play as well as how to game master in basic terms with a good dose of humor. They use Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to help describe both the Archetypes that the PCs will be and the way to build a story arc for GMs. The mechanics are very simple and easy to grasp, at least to anyone who’s seen the Price is Right. They also include a lot of good advice for new Game Masters. QAGS is full of advice on how to tell stories, keep the action going, and keeping things balanced.

They don’t include any source material for a world to play in, or even a genre to play. They instead include ‘Qix Start Genre Guides’ for ten popular gaming genres. These include genre definitions, campaign and adventure ideas, as well as sample archetypes, gimmicks and weaknesses. I never thought of the Frog Brothers as Mentors.

And then, just as you think there is nothing left but boring tables and character sheets you get an example of Campbell’s Hero’s Journey using… Hudson Hawk! Now this might not seem as far fetched as using The Sponge Bob Movie or Rocky Horror (inside joke for old Round Table fans) but again they are pop culture references of things that I love. I mean what are the odds of referencing both Hudson Hawk and The Last Boy Scout in the same book. I’d say that they were intent on only using Bruce Willis movies that flopped except that they do make a John McClain reference on one of thie tables.

All in all I enjoyed the rules very much. They were an entertaining read and had some good gaming ideas in them. One of my friends said she’d be willing to run this so I can’t wait to play.