Bubblegumshoe is advertised as an investigative and social game. And, for once, the talk walks the walk! Ironically, for a game that focuses on teenagers, BGS feels very mature. Instead of confusing social for asocial violence, it forsakes combat for drama instead. Here, clues are your swords, reputation is your shield, and self-perception is your "healthbar". BGS is all about the story, the characters and the setting, not your ahem "sword"... Very refreshing.

When I recognized the names attached, I had to grab this game. I had just finished re-reading GURPS Cops and GURPs Mysteries, so Lisa's Steele's name was on my mind, her work on both of those books was high calibre. Add Kenneth Hite and Emily Care Boss and I knew the game was a hit. I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover and none of those authors let me down. I need to play this game eventually because I love running a good mystery and this gives me all the tools. There is also enough of a framework provided that it would easily translate into older characters if you wanted, but I'm really looking forward to trying a Veronica Mars game with maybe a more supernatural tone by adding in Trail of Cthulhu's Rough Magick rules, which should work smoothly enough. Emily Care Boss has a voice I'll always enjoy reading, Lisa Steele always provides amazing inisght into the investigative process and Kenneth Hite once again proves himself as one of the kings of Gumshoe! The artwork and examples were full of inclusive and empowering imagery, reminding the reader that the high school experience should include characters of every orientation and race and physical capability at any table!