Gangbusters B/X is a roaring 20's tabletop game that uses the classic B/X D&D rules we love. This makes the game extremely accessible to OSR. The book is 64 pages and uses public domain art (which fits the setting). You can use it as written and play as reporters, criminals, private investigators, and coppers or you can use other B/X goodies and make the game more fantastic.
The classes are broad, but fit the genre well. You can be Brutish, Connected, Educated, or Street Smart. The alignments fit the system too: Law Abiding, Neutrality, and Dishonest. Since everyone in Gangbusters is human you don't pick races. Instead you pic a Type (such as Hoodlum or Immigrant) will will affect how others see you. The game has standard equipment charts and things. Like classic OSR weapons can do a flat damage rate or they can have varied damage based on type.
There are some great descriptions and rules on how to make the game feel authentic. There are discussions of the era, rules for crime, law enforcement, and starting your on gang. There are also details on investigation and the legal system (which characters will definitely be dealing with). I'm a pretty big fan of the court and bribing rules. A short discussion of designing settings is provided as well as rules for building adventures and rewarding players. I like that there are essentially magic items that are disguised as special equipment, such as "whiskey for medicinal purposes" that heals you 3 HP when you take a shot. There are simple, but effective vehicle rules.
I'm a really big fan of the adversary section. There are 26 allies and foes in this section, including Klansmen which have "slow-witted." I appreciate any excuse to kills racists in games, so my props to Mark for adding them. Combat is a bit more detailed than what you'll find in typical B/X with some cool optional rules, but really like what's here. My favorite additions are hurt bad which means your character doesn't immediately die at 0 HP. My favorite optional rule is "Shot in the Arm." Once per adventure characters can reduce the damage of an attack to take a wound to the arm that gives them some negative status until the rest and heal. This is a great way to emulate those awesome actions scenes in movies like Last Man Standing.
The books ends with a page discussing Mysterious Powers. This is perfect if you want to play something like the Shadow.
I really enjoyed reading the book and hope to get into some pulp action sooner, rather than later. You can get your copy
here.
