Afterthoughts - Power Rangers Hyperforce: Episode 02

Power Rangers Hyperforce: Tuesdays at 6pm Pacific
Source: @Hyper_RPG

Afterthoughts:

Power Rangers Hyperforce - Episode 02

Episode 02 has come and gone, but before I get into the actual afterthought portion, let's talk about the basics of the game system. Power Rangers Hyperforce uses a d6 system developed by the show's game master, Malika Lim. The exact details haven't been released for general consumption, though word around the water cooler is if Saban sees there is enough demand for it, it may yet be released commercially. And while we haven't seen character sheets yet for stats and the like, the following is what I've gathered about the rest of the system

The system uses a scaled d6 mechanic:
Roll 1d6 when unmorphed.
Roll 2d6 when morphed.
Roll 3d6 when in your zord.
Use all 15d6 player die when in the megazord.

Pretty straight forward there. It seems when perfoming a task or action, the players have to roll over a preset difficulty, while when attacking, they roll against their opponents roll. Before rolling, players can then amp up their rolls or damage (or both) by using either Super (+2 roll), Mega (+2 damage), or Ultra (+1d6 to both roll AND damage) boosts. On the show, these boosts are earned through viewer donations. It is unclear if these boosts would be a normal part of the system in some form, or a mechanic specific to the live show.

There is a team mechanic the players can use, where all the players involved in the team action roll, and the assisting players add a +1 to the main acting character's roll. However, it seems to be an all or nothing mechanic as well, where if one of the players in a team action fails, they all fail. Players also get a +1 to a roll the first time they use a skill or ability they have.

The system makes use of cards to detail different equipment and abilities the characters have, which, again, the exact nature of the cards is unknown, but they appear to have general info on the equipment, in game mechanics for them, and their damage. There is also an energy mechanic involved, which is used for morphing (seems to be a 4 or 5 energy cost to morphing), possibly for some weapon usage, for summoning zords (we haven't seen the zords yet, but it seems likely), etc. The energy, it seems, is given out to players at the whim of the GM, based on the players roleplaying in character well.

If more significant information regarding the system is released, or the game itself gets an official release, I'll be sure to pass that info on.

Also, I'll be posting fan art between article sections. I'll be linking to the source, but if you see your art on here, and would like it removed, you can leave a comment here or send a private message to the Mighty Morphin Super Sentai Facebook page (I'll likely see the private FB message before the comment here).

Spoilers!

Source: @evilspacewhale

This time around, both the players and the GM seem much more comfortable with their roles, and everything flows even better than before. The characters are definitely unique, which says a lot for the creativity behind them, given they are coming after 25 years of other Rangers behind them. There also seemed to be a better grasp on the system by all parties, which also helped things flow even better. These things will likely continue to improve as the show goes on and everyone gains more experience in their roles. There were also a lot of great character moments, and a nice twist in what felt like a typical episode of Power Rangers with a monster of the week taking a sudden, very serious, turn at the end.

I can't say I'm fond of episodes ending earlier than planned, but that is because I want more. As a GM, I understand that sometimes things reach a point where you have to end it, because you can't go on for another few hours to resolve everything in one go as players may like. And sometimes, early or not, a good stopping point has to be grabbed when it shows up. I imagine this is especially true when running a game as scheduled content as part of an entertainment channel, and not just a group of friends meeting in their free time.

If you'd like a summary of the episode, keep reading. If not, you can skip down to the next section.

Episode 02 begins with the Rangers still messing about their time ship, and the team accidentally discovers their Hyper Blade Blaster Ranger weapons. After some time, they realize they never took off, and Alpha and Vesper launch the ship into the time stream. The team soon arrives in 1994 Angel Grove on Halloween night. The team teleports out of the ship, and get caught up and confused briefly by trick or treating, with Chloe learning she absolutely loves candy corn.

Eddie realizes they aren't doing a good job of blending in since they are wearing normal 90's clothes, not costumes, and asks Alpha to synthesize costumes for them. Alpha can't, but the Rangers just happen to have arrived near a Party City, and costume up after some awkward interaction with the past and briefly working as employees to clean up the costumed chaos that is the sales floor.

Marv then has Alpha scan for areas where the enemy time ship could have landed, but there are a lot of possible places. While looking about, the team ends up at the Angel Grove Youth Center and Gym and Juice Bar, where they spend some time doing gymnastics and drinking liquid fruit until a news broadcast shows the rogue time ship is in the park (and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers nowhere to be seen). The team makes a plan, and springs into action, which includes getting a lot of the general public to rush to the Youth Center and out of danger by making up a lie about a costume contest going on.

A lot of the crowd goes to Ernie's, and while they're planning how to take the ship, the team sees a group of 6 Putties attacking a civilian. The Rangers spring into action to save the citizen, but have some trouble stopping the Putties due to the fickle nature of dice rolls determining the outcome of events. Marv calls on his Hyper Blade Blaster to take out a Putty with a well placed shot. Meanwhile, Jack throws Chloe at one of the Putties, but she flies to high overhead and misses. The fight goes on, much longer than anyone would expect from a fight with the Putties, but hey, new Ranger team and all that.

And as the Rangers finish the Puttie fight, a candy corn-themed monster named Candius Cornicus comes out of the enemy time ship, and the Rangers morph for the first time. At this point, it is, as they say, on.

The fight is long and hard, with Candius Cornicus melting candy corn all over the Rangers. Eddie runs off to grab smoothies from the Youth Center to use to try and weaken the candy monster. Back on scene, the Rangers keep fighting the candy beast. Vesper literally takes a bite out of the monster, while Marv fails to maul their foe and gets a candy coating with a burning sensation. The fight continues, Chloe gouging out one of the monster's eyes as it does and the tasting the sugary eye juices.

Jack becomes a whirling dervish of fist and feet and horns, but misses their foe. Around this time, Eddie comes running in with the smoothies, and notices the door to the ship is opening as he tries to cover the monster in sugar-softening liquids. He slips and makes a mess of the juice, getting it all over himself and the monster. An electric blast comes out of the ship, destroying the monster and seriously hurting Eddie as it surges through liquid and hits them both.

The mysterious dark baddie from episode one emerges from the ship, the ship closing behind him as it fades away and takes off. The Rangers all use their Hyper Blade Blasters against the dark figure as he nonchalantly walks towards them, and all five hit their target. Their foe stands their ground and took the blast, seemingly not being phased at all. The foe then says they are the leader of the Alliance, and will continue with their evil mission all through time, and continue to grow their legacy.

Jack tries to use the Time Force badge's capture sequence to feeze the villain, but their foe simply raises their hand to counter it, and grabs the energy from the badge. Manipulating the energy, they pull Jack towards them, and counter with a major energy blast, seriously hurting Jack.

The Rangers run.

Alpha starts teleporting the Rangers, but as they teleport, Jack is blasted yet again by their foe. They arrive on their time ship, Jack on the verge of death. As they get Jack set up in the medbay, their time ship comes under attack from the Alliance, losing power. And as all the Rangers are knocked to the floor, end episode.

- Highlights -

Source: Leanne Hannah

* Samurai Jack
* Burrito Button & BurritNo
* "The 90's would do that"
* "They're roleplaying." "Ooooooh."
* "The currency is force." *cracks knuckles*
* Tubucal, radiclar, Reaganomic
* "He has some value to his face."
* "I do a jump."
* Stone Canyon
* "Between Spring Cove and Fall Cove."
* "That is not how you throw a punch, your thumb should be right here."
* Repartee & Reconnoitre
* Udderly possible & moo-velous
* "Oh no, just Chloe."
* Catball special
* "They're mimicking us, so they should be fighting badly."
* A morphing sequence cutscene for the Hyperforce Rangers
* Eye candy
* "The juice is loose."
* "I try to arrest him."
* "You ain't got no feet, dude."
* And did I mention, a ******* morphing sequence cutscene for the Hyperforce Rangers?

- The Suspects -

Source: @inuitakumi23

If we continue to assume the threat is a known character from Ranger history, with an emphasis on the big bad figure have a white electricity based attack, my mind immedeiately goes to this handsome gentleman.

Lord Zedd

Not only would this fit the energy description, Lord Zedd is a good choice for a character who would have a goal of being evil and evil being their goal. Sure, sure, last we saw he had turned human, but a lot can happen in a few thousand years. And really, if Rita could regain her magic, there is no reason to think Zedd couldn't come back into power of his own.

Of course, my previously mentioned idea of Thrax could potentially still be on the table, as he did have lightning powers, and mentioned trying to restore his parents evil legacy. Again, sure, he appeared to be destroyed, but, you know...

It could of course, be someone else entirely, or an entirely new villain. But until their identity is revealed, I'll keep taking what little tidbits we get and go all over the map with them.

- Wishful Thinking -

Source: @regenesis0

* Taking place some time after the events of Power Rangers in Space, the team runs into The Phantom Ranger, and learn that Phantom Ranger is none other than Billy Cranston, who developed the suit to survive off of Aquitar. Ideally with David Yost being a surprise guest star.

* A trip to the distant past, fighting along side Sentinel Knight, before he became a disembodied spirit.

* The Hyperforce Rangers playing a secret, but important, part in the Legendary Battle.


Story-wise, Power Rangers Hyperforce is already shaping up to be the sort of anniversary season most fans wished they'd have gotten from Super Megaforce, and it shows no sign of stopping. If you missed the live show, you can subscribe to the Hyper RPG Twitch channel and watch the episodes again pretty much immediately after airing. If you'd rather not subscribe (though you totally should, they've a lot of great content beyond Hyperforce), you can catch up the following week when they post the latest episode to Youtube.

In fact, if you haven't seen the first episode yet, or would just like to watch it again, I'll leave you with this:

Afterthoughts - Power Rangers Hyperforce: Episode 01

From Saban Brands and Hyper RPG

Afterthoughts:

Power Rangers Hyperforce - Episode 01

Premiering on October 24, 2017 on the Hyper RPG Twitch Channel, Power Rangers Hyperforce is a 25 episode, weekly, live, tabletop roleplaying game, and a joint venture between Saban Brands and Hyper RPG. Before we get to the point, here is some more information about the game.

Not sure what a tabletop roleplaying game is?

The short explanation, a game in which a group of people play the roles of characters in a world mostly controlled by another player (often called the Game Master), and together they weave a story.

A more complete detailed description can be found from Roll20.net;

"...a Tabletop RPG allows a gaming group much more creative freedom in where they go, who they meet and what they want to do. The barebones essence of a Tabletop RPG is collaborative storytelling. It’s a story co-authored by everyone sitting at the table while playing the game. You and your friends fit themselves into the shoes of a character in the story. The decisions made and the plot twists that occur reflect the characters everyone is pretending to be.There’s no invisible walls to block exploration, no limits to what your character looks like and there’s no programmed restrictions on your character's behavior.

The setting of the game can be familiar, like a favorite TV show, or something entirely alien and new. The only limitations are the rules of the game and the collective creativity of the people playing it."

And what is Hyperforce itself all about?

Set in the year 3016, 16 years after the events of Power Rangers Time Force, a new team of Time Force Cadets will be called upon to be Power Rangers to defeat an ancient evil threatening all of creation.

- The Cast -

 Peter Sudarso as Marv, the Red Ranger

 Andre Meadows as Eddie, the Blue Ranger

 Meghan Camarena as Chloe, the Pink Ranger

 Christina Vee as Vesper, the Black Ranger

Paul Shrier as Jack, the Yellow Ranger

In addition to Peter and Paul, who are both Power Rangers alumni (the Blue Ninja Steel Ranger and Bulk, from multiple seasons, respectively), there will be special guest stars from the show's history showing up as well.

As we move on, it should't have to be said, but I'll say it anyway.

Spoilers!

So, my initial thoughts?

In a word? Amazing.

From the opening scene in a Time Force Academy class room with Erin Cahill reprising her role of Time Force Pink Ranger Jen Scotts, it was obvious this would be great. Each of the cast members absolutely killed it, creating a team of very unique and varied personalities. Outside of Erin, Paul Schrier stole the show. From not only the actions he had his character perform, but also the way he worded everything both in and out of character. When he was talking, the viewers got a real treat.

The story itself is off to a solid start as well. The threat, currently known only as "The Alliance," appears to be a danger rising from within the ranks of the Time Force agency itself. They claim infinite numbers, because time is infinite. And they are quick to tell you their goal is evil, and evil is their goal. Is this the rebirth of the United Alliance of Evil? They appear to be lead by a terribly mysterious cloaked figure who is first seen by the future Ranger team hurling energy blasts as the Pink Time Force Ranger.

In the end, the team saves Jen, the mysterious baddie flees into the time stream, Jen gives the Rangers a time ship and their morphers, and the ship's android follows the mysterious baddie back through to time... the year 1994.

A dark conspiracy from within a government agency?
A mystery figure shrouded in darkness?
1994?

That can only mean one thing for episode 02...

The Rangers want to believe.

- Highlights -

* DOUBLE HAMMER FIST!

* Marv putting his hand to his ear, yelling, "PROFESSOR SCOTTS," despite not having a comm-unit.

* Everything involving Erin Cahill. It was great seeing Jen Scotts back in action.

* Vesper rising to the situation despite her slacker beginning.

* Eddie's impersonation of the dean.

* "There is also a very robust construction industry."

* "Ay yi yi yi yi."

- The Suspects -

We don't have much of anything to go on for who the Alliance leader could be, though if we assume the original press release was truthful, and the ultimate threat is an ancient evil, here are some possible suspects (regardless of how unlikely) if the villain is a pre-existing character. I am looking at possibilities outside of totally possible choices of it being a fan-favorite like Lord Zedd or Rita returned.

Thrax

The time of Thrax's birth is somewhat of a potential plothole in the Power Rangers universe, but the son of Rita and Lord Zedd would have to be ancient to have been trapped by the Sentinel Knight when SK still had a physical body. After his only appearance in the series, Thrax was believed destroyed, but hey, this is Power Rangers. Evil can always return. And Thrax is a villain so under developed that Hyperforce could use him pretty much however they wanted with risking contradictions to established lore or personality.

Ivan Ooze

With absolutely no continuity ties to the Power Rangers TV franchise, this ancient foe of Zordon would be a great choice as the leader of the Alliance. What better way to bring a fan-favorite PR villain crashing into continuity with the TV series?

Another of these guys

Nothing says the cloaked baddies is THE big bad. Perhaps they are just a lackey, and another member of the Dark Spectre and Maligore's race is awake, trying to assert domination of existence as the big bad.

Queen Bansheera

Sure, sure, Queen Bansheera appeared to be taken care of, but ultimately she was dragged back to the demon world. Maybe she was destroyed, or maybe the demon queen simply gave the other demons a reminder of why she was, in fact, called Queen. And in a thousand years, maybe she found her way back out.

If we play a little loose with the definition of ancient, and just go with old (over a thousand years old, say), one other threat comes to mind.

Venjix

Venjix was never defeated by the RPM Rangers, and we know crossover between the primary Ranger dimension and the RPM dimension is possible, as both RPM Red and the Super Megaforce Rangers have crossover before. In fact, RPM Red crossing over would have been the perfect time for Venjix to hop worlds, since he was last seen hiding in a morpher. It would be nothing for him to stay hidden, plotting and planning, until technology reached a level in which his ultimate plans could be enacted.

Now, if the hooded figure is a lackey, and not the big bad, and is directly relevant to the Time Force story, I'd say Alex going rogue seems like a real possibility. Or much less likely, but would be highly entertaining, maybe Circuit, tired of being unappreciated, especially after Time Force moved on to a different style of android, got a killer upgrade.

- Wishful Thinking -

* Jason Narvy guest starring as Skull, and we either have Jack captured and Paul plays Bulk to Narvy's Skull for a episode, or we learn Jack in a descendent of Bulk's, and the Rangers keep having to save Skull who keeps getting himself in trouble trying to prove Jack is really a brainwashed Bulk.

* Yoshi Sudarso guest starring as Koda, if only to see Peter and Yoshi together as Rangers.

* Not only the inclusion of Thrax in some part of the story, but an explanation for how he is the child of Zedd and Rita and be as old as he would be to be trapped by the Sentinel Knight as he had been.

* The entire Time Force Ranger cast returning for a major crossover with the new Hyperforce Rangers.

* Ransik joining the Rangers for an adventure, showing them the power of redemption in action to turn a dangerous villain into a big damn hero.


If you're a Power Ranger fan, and haven't checked out Hyperforce yet, and you aren't subscribed to Hyper RPG's channel, episodes will be uploaded to their Youtube channel a week after airing. I highly suggest if you give Power Rangers Hyperforce a watch, great things are happening on it.