One of the things that seems to be endemic to the player base as well as the source material itself is how oppressively dark Eclipse Phase is. I understand that we have to establish what's at stake for the heroes, but when compared to say, a D&D manual, it balances out the darkness by then showing the amazing feats the heroes can do to fight back.
"The Illithid are the unholy spawn of Chtulu and Saruman that lobotomize their prisoners and consume their brains so that they can procreate from the shell of the victim's corpse."
BUT!
"At level 60, the party rogue or ranger can take the title "godslayer" for their blade or bow can lay low even the lords of the astral plane."
I mean, what does it say that a game that takes place in a world where many still live in cottages is more upbeat and idealistic than one of post-scarcity and widespread immortality? More to the point, why do we make it so? I understand Eclipse Phase is pretty hard sci-fi so much has to be extrapolated to it's logical conclusion, but why does that always translate into "we're screwed?"
In regards to the TITANs and other X-threats, the books seem to tell every detail EXCEPT how to beat them.
"The TITANs are smarter than any human ever born, transhumanity's ascension be damned."
Okay, and?
"The Exsurgent virus can infect flesh, software, and intelligence itself."
Okay, annnnd?
"Their is more for transhumanity to fear out in the blackness of the cosmos. Intelligences as inconceivable to us as a bacteria to the mind of a supercomputer!"
OKAY! AND?
"And what?"
Well how do the player characters fight something like that? Can we breach the Singularity and fight them on equal terms?
"No, Firewall won't let you."
Well then what's the point? Pulling swarm cats out of trees while the Four Horsemen ride?!
I mean, I guess it's supposed to leave it open so the GM and players can find their own solutions to these daunting tasks, but at least a nod to possible victory would be nice.
This is supposed to be "Transhumanism: the game" shouldn't the feeling of playing it be more like Pacific Rim or Exalted? Harnessing the amazing power of the human mind and channeling it into adamantine fists forged for the purpose of punching out Yog-Sathoth!
—
Your passion is power. Focus it.
Your body is a tool. Hone it.
Transhummanity is a pantheon. Exalt it!
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -Benjamin Franklin