Gatecrashing explores the machines known as Pandora's Gates and the worlds they lead to expanding upon one of the larger mysteries of Eclipse Phase. A beautiful hardcover book in full color it's hard not to like it on sheer physical design alone. (You'll notice I am a sucker for full-color hardcover books.)
In a line that distinguishes itself with high quality writing, arts, layout and interesting ideas (and exploration of those ideas) Gatecrashing stands out. While I have enjoyed both the core book and the first supplement (Sunward) neither book left me coming away with any truly exciting story ideas. Gatecrashing has made up for that lack in droves. The basic structure of the book covers gatecrashing operations including the different types of missions that might be performed through the gates as well as the procedures for using the gates. The specific Pandora Gates for the Solar system are all detailed as well as how their operators manage them. Then the juicy stuff: 30 different worlds to explore or investigate. Naturally these are just a fraction of the available worlds that can be accessed through the gates and are meant as examples.
They are amazing examples. Every world listed is unique in some way that allows for stories that while sometimes seeming mundane on the outside instead provide interesting twists and surprises once the players scratch the surface. Much as I'd like to I won't detail any here, just trust that just about any type of story can probably be played out while crashing. What amazed me was the fact that all the worlds described were unique, it didn't feel like any two ended up being re-hashes of the same idea with just a different planet as the back-drop.
Mechanically the game provides new morphs and technology that would directly support gatecrashers. It provides even more plot hooks for the worlds described previously in the book. Finally, it also provides suggestions for creating new worlds and even some new flora and fauna to put into them.
This would be my first 10 out 10. I would argue a must have for any Eclipse Phase game (although if you never plan to have the players go through or anything come through a gate this would be much less true) as it opens up the entire galaxy and beyond for exploration. It also continues the hallmark quality in all areas that Eclipse Phase is known for.
Available in: Physical* and pdf
Links: Amazon, DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight
Next Up: Damnation View (Cthulhutech)
