A Meme and a classic RPG - Top Secret
Have you ever seen a meme that takes you back in time and brings back a flood of memories?
That happened to me the other day, because I can relate to this particular one.
In 1995, I returned to the United States after spending 7 years in Europe, where I was deployed multiple times in support of Military Intelligence around the world, including two deployments in Somalia. Upon meeting up with old friends, someone suggested that I run a game of Top Secret for everyone. Knowing my audience's backgrounds and world experiences, I decided to create some relatable real-world props to add to the immersion. The end result was astonishing; the tabletop looked like the top picture. The realism and flavor added by the Classified Cover Sheets, Satellite Images, and a few hand-held props (which I won't discuss here) made the game incredibly authentic and hard to replicate - so much so that I have only played Top Secret once or twice since.
What is Top Secret RPG you ask?
Top Secret is a classic in the RPG genre, simulating global espionage in a near-current world environment. The game features two primary factions, the WEB, an international organization dedicated to world domination, and ORION, protectors of freedom and self-determination. Players can choose to align themselves with either faction, and engage in thrilling adventures that can take them all over the world.
One of the strengths of Top Secret is that the rules are not particularly innovative or original. This familiarity allows players to feel comfortable with the game mechanics, making it accessible to both new and experienced players alike. The primary attributes have an initial range of 20-79 and are used to save versus percentile dice and to calculate secondary attributes and bonuses to skills.
Players can choose from four backgrounds - professional, military, worker, or entertainer - and purchase advantages, disadvantages, and skills that are appropriate for their chosen background. Players earn Fame & Fortune points which they can then spend on improving skills, attributes, or on luck points. Luck points are used to protect characters from disaster, and players never know how many they have, even when purchased. Luck points are received 1d4 in quantity.
Combat is handled like any skill, with players rolling versus skill level. Damage and hit location are determined by a unique twist. On the combat roll, the tens digit equals the damage, and hit location is determined by the ones digit, referencing a body outline location chart. The game also includes rules for car chases, specifically aimed combat, and non-standard attacks/weapons.
One of the great things about Top Secret is that it is a cohesive and logical system that is easy to learn and use. The generic capabilities of these rules are hinted at in the Administrator's Guide, suggesting W.W.II, future, Victorian, and other settings. Sourcebooks published for TS/SI include Commando (military operations), Agent 13 (pulp adventures, including magic and sci-fi), and F.R.E.E.Lancers (future superhero, dystopia). The system is so close to StarChilde's Justifiers game that it could be used as a sourcebook for TS/SI for anyone wishing to explore anthropomorphic sci-fi space exploration.
In conclusion, Top Secret is a classic RPG that is worth checking out if you are interested in global espionage and thrilling adventures. Its familiarity and ease of use make it accessible to new players, while its cohesive and logical system make it a great choice for experienced players as well. Whether you are interested in playing as a spy, soldier, worker, or entertainer, Top Secret has something for everyone.
