Pros: Simpler system; familiar to CRPG/MMO players; production value
Cons: CRPG/MMO feel; hard to suspend disbelief; inflexibility; poor writing
Rating: 3 out of 5
Archive for the ‘Tabletop Roleplaying’ Category
“A Thief’s Tale,” by Gabe Ivan, Guildhouse Games
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007First published 5/2/2002; last edited 1/5/2005; published to the reviews blog 2/13/2007
Pros: Great use of the small supplement form; good production quality; fun material
Cons: Could use better editing; some slow history
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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“City Guide: Coffer of Coins,” Dark Quest Games
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007First published 9/19/2002; last edited 1/5/2005; published to the reviews blog 2/13/2007
Pros: Detailed descriptions; useful items; inexpensive
Cons: Lack of variety; lack of NPC and story material
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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Review of “Red or White,” by James Herring, Guildhouse Games
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007First published 5/21/2002; last edited 1/5/2005; published to the reviews blog 2/13/2007
Pros: Interesting characters
Cons: Lack of plot hooks and information; focus on the wrong things; filler
Rating: 2 out of 5
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“The Succubus Bride,” by Gabe Ivan, Guildhouse Games
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007First published 10/6/2001; last edited 1/5/2005; published to the reviews blog 2/13/2007
Pros: Interesting background and characters
Cons: Wasted space; inconsistency; plot holes; focus placed on the wrong things; designer bias; binary outcomes
Rating: 2 out of 5
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“A Green Place to Die,” by Casey Clark, Guildhouse Games
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007First published 10/6/2001; last edited 1/5/2005; published to the reviews blog 2/13/2007
Pros: Sensible, consistent, fun, well-considered
Cons: Some designer bias in places; use of in-voice prose to describe factual information
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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“Stargate SG-1 Roleplaying Game,” Alderac Entertainment Group
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006Pros: Versatility, depth of information, thoroughness, playability, style
Cons: Editing job (what editing job?), not-so-amazing index, confusing charts
Rating: 4 out of 5
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“Terra Incognita: The NAGS Society Handbook,” for FUDGE, Grey Ghost Games
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006Pros: Great atmosphere; fun; quick and easy to learn
Cons: Umm… Having trouble thinking of any…
Rating: 5 out of 5
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“The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game,” Decipher
Monday, June 19th, 2006Pros: Strong “feel” of Middle-Earth; good advice; clear and flexible system
Cons: Applicable primarily to a certain type of player
Rating: 5 out of 5
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“Game Mastering Secrets,” Grey Ghost Games
Monday, June 19th, 2006Pros: A great store of information; variety of viewpoints
Cons: One author’s obsession with the “authority of the GM”
Rating: 4 out of 5
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