M&M Noir opinions?

[Just Joe]

I'm not interested in Mutants & Masterminds per se, but I am interested in Noir, particularly Noir combined with something alien to the genre. Can anyone tell me whether M&M's Noir book is any good for someone not using that system? (And can you recommend any other Noir gaming sourcebooks I might like?)

[tkdguy]

I liked it, actually. I don't play Mutants & Masterminds, but I got the book because I also like film Noir, and I thought it would be a good resource. It is mostly true to the feel of the genre, set in the late 40s to 50s. It discusses topics such as racism and sexism of the time. It also does a good job of explaining what Noir is and isn't and how to convey the right atmosphere during the game. It also has a few suggestions on how to create a noir character. It does go on a few tangents, since M&M is a superhero game. Aliens and mutants are out; magicians, brawlers, and gadgeteers are in. It also has a well-developed city that unfortunately remains nameless; it is just refererd to as the noir city or the city. Maybe you can name it Noir City, although it just doesn't sound right to me. All in all, it's pretty good.

Edit: I have it listed as a resource in my campaign setting here:

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28841

[Just Joe]

It also has a well-developed city that unfortunately remains nameless; it is just referred to as the noir city or the city.

Thanks for the reply. Does it have good maps? Any relatively detailed maps (e.g., of a single building)?

BTW, I enjoyed the adventure seeds on your linked thread.

[tkdguy]

Unfortunately, the only map is that of "the City," and even that one is pretty generalized. It has some good descriptions of the different areas though, narrated by a cab driver giving the reader a tour of the City. If you want to show your players a few visuals or blueprints, however, you'll have to fill in the blanks.

One more note: The artwork isn't all that great either. Some are drawings inserted into photoshopped backgrounds. This is probably the weakest feature of the book.