Dark-Gritty feel and Rules Light?

[Mike Holmes]

Yes. Soak is something I'm slowly coming to dispise more and more. IMHO, hit points aren't any better. Both foster a "I'll just walk through the minefield. I can take it" type of environment which riddles with bullets what suspension of disbelief you've established.

Well, then, JJ, Jake's game The Riddle of Steel is definitely one that you might want to check out. Characters are always in danger. They can survive, but only by tackling things that they care about, and picking thier fights wisely. Heroism is neither diminished by the invulnerability of HP or Soak, nor is it made impossible by a too lethal system. The system is lethal, but only if you are not being a hero. Get what I'm saying?

You might not use exactly that sort of system, but it might get yu looking inthe right direction.

Mike