When comparing Heroes Against Darkness vs Icar, the Slant community recommends Heroes Against Darkness for most people. In the question“What are the best tabletop RPGs?” Heroes Against Darkness is ranked 33rd while Icar is ranked 52nd. The most important reason people chose Heroes Against Darkness is:
The game uses a single "d20 + modifier ≥ target" mechanic for everything. Characters can be created in less than 5 minutes. The writing is concise and clear.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Focuses on simplicity
The game uses a single "d20 + modifier ≥ target" mechanic for everything. Characters can be created in less than 5 minutes. The writing is concise and clear.
Pro Deep, without being cluttered
A lot of meta-tools such as templates, etc, that make combat encounters incredibly simple to construct. Great tools for creature-building. A lot of good information on world-building. You can make any type of game efficiently, from hack-and-slash to role-playing. If you have played in a D&D campaign, this is a great choice for your first outing as a GM.
Pro Super strategic hand to hand combat and piloting rules
Cons
Con Requries prior knowledge of RPGs to completely understand
Some knowledge will be required to understand the rules as there are some unexplained conventions that are presumed to be understood.