When comparing Outgunned and Feng Shui, two tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) rooted in cinematic action, players are often caught between two very distinct gameplay experiences. Each system captures a different flavor of high-octane storytelling Outgunned with its streamlined, modern action and Feng Shui with its deep roots in Hong Kong-style heroic cinema. While both games prioritize fast-paced combat and thrilling set pieces, they approach narrative structure, character development, and mechanics from unique angles. Understanding the strengths and tone of each game helps players and game masters decide which system best fits their table and storytelling preferences.
Overview of Outgunned
Outgunned is a cinematic action RPG that embraces the tropes of spy thrillers, heist flicks, and Hollywood blockbusters. Developed by Two Little Mice, the game is rules-light and focuses heavily on narrative pacing and visual flair. Players take on the roles of larger-than-life action heroes capable of pulling off impossible feats, diving through explosions, and surviving overwhelming odds all with style.
Key Features of Outgunned
- Cinematic Dice System: Dice rolls are framed around dramatic, movie-style scenes. Success often depends on the flair and creativity of the player’s description.
- Action Tokens: These allow players to perform stunts or rewrite scenes, creating an evolving and spontaneous narrative.
- Archetypes: Characters are built from cinematic roles like ‘The Hacker,’ ‘The Muscle,’ or ‘The Face,’ keeping mechanics simple but thematically rich.
The simplicity of Outgunned makes it especially appealing for one-shots or short campaigns focused on action. It minimizes complex rules and encourages fast, reactive play ideal for groups that value story over stat crunching.
Overview of Feng Shui
Feng Shui, designed by Robin D. Laws and originally released by Atlas Games, captures the chaotic, explosive nature of Hong Kong action films. Inspired by movies like Hard Boiled, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and The Killer, the system blends martial arts, gunplay, mysticism, and time travel. Set in a multi-genre universe known as the Chi War, Feng Shui supports cinematic storytelling while also offering deeper lore and continuity for long-term campaigns.
Key Features of Feng Shui
- Chi-Based Universe: Characters battle over Feng Shui sites to control the flow of chi, which shapes reality itself.
- Time Jumps and Settings: The game spans multiple time periods, including ancient China, cyberpunk futures, and modern-day back alleys.
- Archetype Variety: Players can be everything from cyborgs and magic monks to everyday people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Feng Shui balances style and crunch. While it’s action-focused, the underlying mechanics require more management than Outgunned, making it better suited for players who enjoy both story and tactical decisions.
Combat Experience: Outgunned vs Feng Shui
Combat in Outgunned
Combat in Outgunned is fast and fluid. Players aren’t rolling initiative in the traditional sense; instead, action flows like a movie scene, with players jumping into the spotlight to describe what their characters do. This system rewards narrative flair, where diving through glass or sliding under a car to fire a pistol isn’t just allowed it’s encouraged.
Combat in Feng Shui
Feng Shui uses a more traditional initiative system, with shot counters representing timing in combat. This allows for a more tactical experience, where characters use special abilities, take cover, or prepare dramatic finishing moves. It’s not overly complex, but it has more structure than Outgunned, making each moment count in a different way.
Character Creation and Advancement
Outgunned’s Style-First Creation
In Outgunned, character creation is straightforward. Players choose a cinematic archetype and personalize it with flavor. Advancement isn’t deep or granular, which aligns with the game’s cinematic tone. The focus is on storytelling and creativity over number-crunching.
Feng Shui’s Layered Development
Feng Shui offers a more traditional RPG character system. While archetypes are still central, players can level up their abilities, manage chi points, and unlock powers. This gives Feng Shui more depth for long-term campaigns and strategic growth.
Setting and Narrative Style
Outgunned’s Flexible, Scene-Driven Worlds
Outgunned does not come with a single fixed setting. Instead, it supports various cinematic genres: spy thrillers, modern crime, over-the-top action, and even James Bond-style espionage. The flexibility makes it excellent for game masters who want to craft custom worlds or switch genres easily.
Feng Shui’s Rich Lore and Timeline
Feng Shui is built around a robust setting that blends mysticism, martial arts, cyberpunk, and more. The Chi War across different time periods gives players a reason to travel through history and explore wild genre mashups. This makes Feng Shui better suited for players interested in overarching narratives and world-building.
Ease of Use for Game Masters
For GMs, both games offer unique benefits and challenges depending on play style and group expectations.
- Outgunned: Ideal for quick-start games, minimal prep, and players new to TTRPGs. Rules are easy to teach, and scenes can be improvised quickly.
- Feng Shui: Requires more setup, especially when managing multiple timelines or balancing chi powers. However, it rewards that investment with a rich and deep world.
Which One is Best for Your Group?
The choice between Outgunned and Feng Shui depends heavily on what your table values most:
- Choose Outgunned if: Your group prefers fast, low-prep cinematic action with room for dramatic flair and improvisation.
- Choose Feng Shui if: You want a rich, story-driven universe with detailed mechanics and a blend of genres over a long campaign.
Both games shine in delivering high-energy stories. Where Outgunned acts like a summer action blockbuster with sleek pacing, Feng Shui plays like an epic saga that stretches across time and genre. If you’re looking for style, either will deliver but how deep you want to go with mechanics and lore will help you choose the right system.
Outgunned vs Feng Shui
In the end, Outgunned and Feng Shui are not direct rivals but rather complementary tools in a storyteller’s kit. One favors quick, stylish action with narrative control, while the other dives deep into a universe of interconnected timelines and explosive drama. Choosing between them isn’t about finding the better game it’s about finding the right experience for your group’s vision. Whether you’re diving through a window with dual pistols in Outgunned, or unleashing chi-powered fury in Feng Shui, both systems ensure players leave the table feeling like stars of their own action-packed movie.