Review Submitted By: Mai
Author Status: Player
Started on In Nomine: R&D: 4 months ago.
Submission Date: Mar 22, 2009
TMC Listing: In Nomine: R&D
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Mai]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
In Nomine: R&D is a small MUSH where everybody knows each other.
That's not saying much, because the playerbase is pretty small at the
moment. The theme is In Nomine, an RPG by Steve Jackson Games, where
angels and demons secretly walk among humans and seek to manipulate
them to gain an edge in the war. Demons, angels and ethereal spirits
use 'vessels,' mortal bodies, to move around on Earth. These can be
injured or killed, but it just means that the spirit spends some time
in coma, and then has to bargain for a new vessel. The game is thus
less about survival and more about successfully manipulating mortals,
other celestials, and gaining the favor of your demon prince or arch
angel. Unfortunately their manipulations aren't always subtle, but
there are also humans, humans imbued with infernal or divine energy,
undead, and other beings, that can interact with the physical world in
a less noticeable way.
Despite the darkish undertones, there's a persistent tongue-in-cheek
humor in the game. The theme is more The Prophecy than The Omen
(although the mortal aspect could be compared to, say, The Boondock
Saints). Let's go over the good and bad parts of the MUSH.
Bad: * The playerbase is small. * A small playerbase means less RP
and conflict. * Growth is currently slow.
Good: * The players are pretty good. * The staff is laid back and
helpful. * Everyone seems to be willing to work together, rather than
against each other. * The setting allows for most modern concepts, and
the admin seem to be willing to work with applicants with somewhat
unconventional concepts. * The application process is very simple and
quick. * The rules are extremely easy.
The MUSH is not perfect, but I like the place, and I wish it'd grow.
I've had some great RP there, and I have no plans of leaving it
anytime soon. I don't think enough is done to distinguish the setting
from that of WoD, as that's something I've seen many guests worry
about. While WoD MUSHes have (in my 6-7 years of experience) been
focused on 'OOC masquerades' and IC hopelessness (it might have
changed in the last few years), In Nomine is a different animal
altogether. R&D is no exception. Any player would love to meet a
potential enemy, as well as an ally, and death is often a temporary
(if very inconvenient) setback. Without having to worry about losing
your character, most people take IC defeat with good humor, resulting
in significantly less OOC drama.
