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Dragonslayer Role-Playing Game
Publisher: OSR Publishing
by Matthew [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 02/14/2024 12:43:49

There are so many OSR-likes on the market, and yet it is still difficult to find one that does 'everything' in terms of a basic D&D feel with enough character detail so as not to feel sparse. Hyperborea and ACKS are my choices for fantasy gaming in the traditional realms. Dragonslayer now comes in equal to those. It achieves a sense of being very much like AD&D but without all the extra weight, and numerous addendums that have gathered over the years. Dragonslayer is not so simplistic as other rules-sets which sometimes lose all feel due to their sparseness. The authors house rules achieve a nice blend of simplicity and flavour without sacrificing elements of classic Dungeons & Dragons. The artwork is superb and conveys the feel of the genre, I particularly appreciate the class and race art. My only criticism would be the absence of a Bard class. It would be nice to see this feature in a future supplement... Overall, a stellar entry into the field, and one worthy of it's title.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Dragonslayer Role-Playing Game
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Superluminary
Publisher: Signal 13
by Matthew L. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/10/2018 10:02:51

Superluminary is the sci-fi companion to Other Worlds. To put it short: it's fab. Packed full of content in the same style as it's parent title, it offers a fantastic set of resources for anyone running or gaming in a sci-fi setting. The material can also be readily adapted to other settings and genres. It has a similar layout to Other Worlds, replete with those cool little campaign idea themes scattered througout its pages. Plus, Storn Cook artwork!

I recommend picking this bad boy up if you enjoy Other Worlds; heck, even if you don't play using that system, it's still worthy of your wallet due to its applicability across the board. I can envision using this alongside Stars Without Number, or even the up-coming 40K title.

Mark has a knack for puttting together games of genuine substance, evident in Other Worlds, and this is a real gem of a title; proving that quality is oft found by looking beyond the beaten track of well-known publishers and mega-tomes. We can only hope that he turns his hand to the realms of fantasy and super-heroism in due course.

Arm your assault suits and venture forth into the epic singularity that is Superluminary!



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Superluminary
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Creator Reply:
Thanks for the review Matthew, very glad to hear that you enjoyed it! May all of your future timelines remain non-apocalyptic. Regards, Mark
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Guardians
Publisher: Night Owl Workshop
by Matthew L. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/04/2016 15:17:57

Guardians!

This is an absolute dazzler of a game that packs in more detail and flavour into its humble 97 pages than I've seen in many supers rpgs more than three times it's size.

Based on the OSR, players are encouraged to 'roll up' their traditional set of six stats (you know the ones!), picking a superheroic origin (which each grant different numbers of powers, gifts and issues) and then a class (Bruiser, Gadeteer, Super Agent & Power Wielder). From here they can choose or roll from tables of gifts (what would be considered 'perks' or 'advantages' in other supers games) and list of powers, which are all arranged into themes for convenience and inspiration. Struggling for an idea? Just make a roll and see what the dice decide. The number of powers available is very extensive; you're covered for most every idea you could conceive of including all the standard popular options. In addition to this, you'll find a selection of power advantages which tweek the way that a power works. This is the area that I thought may be lacking in such a small book, but I was happy to be proven wrong.

On top of an excellent character generation system there are ideas for supers campaigning and a selection of NPCs which could be used to get a game going straight away. Is there anything I forgot to mention? Characters also have a number of issues (disadvantages), rules for NPC creations, gadget creation rules, equipment lists and a brilliant apendix which has tables covering base design and scenario creation.

I simply can't find any fault with Guardians. It is a concise, detailed and well-written rpg that easily stands up to most other popular supers rpgs on the market. It's easy to understand and allows for creation of well-rounded characters with none of the headaches associated with point-buy systems. I'd recommend it even if you're not particularly an OSR fan. For this price you're getting a lot of mutants for your money!

I look forward to seeing more from Night Owl Workshop.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Guardians
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Godbound: A Game of Divine Heroes (Deluxe Edition)
Publisher: Sine Nomine Publishing
by Matthew L. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/07/2016 12:13:56

I'm hard-pressed to think of an independant (and solo) game designer who puts as much love and hard work into this craft as Kevin Crawford. Godbound is a sterling example of what happens when an old-school rule set is combined with a modern-day approach to play; the result-magic! Player's are the demi-gods in a broken land, mortals imbued with words of creation who set about forging their own paths in a setting rich with conflict and plenty of room for growth. The rule-set also supports less mythic heroes, right down to average mortals and turnip farming adventurers seeking to better their lot in the world.

Godbound provides a rich setting, ripe for plunder, havoc, rule, destruction, conquer; whatever the pc's desire! True to Sine Nomine form, this book is packed to the gills with options to help a GM get a sandbox campaign off the ground and running. This is especially useful given the power level of pc's; anybody who is unfamiliar running games for super-beings or demi-gods have nothing to fear as Mr Crawford provides excellent advice and guidelines for constructing a setting and challenges which will make for entertaining and lasting campaigns. The setting has enough information without becoming bogged down in senselss detail, and the book has plenty of suggestions for alternate campaigns and ideas which break from the standard game. It is clear that the book's strong focus does not diminish it's utility as a toolbook for demi-god's in a fantasy world, no matter which system you use. It is a book designed to be used and played, not just read.

For fans of a certain rpg which will remain nameless, Godbound also supports themed demi-gods including elemental scions, shapeshifters and god-walkers; huge war engines capable of massive devastation. I will say no more!

I could say much more about this game; it's excellent and tasteful artwork, clear layout and font and the author's excellent narrative voice and prose. However, I'd much rather you go and pick up a copy and see for yourself.

Sine Nomine is a class act in a market flooded by mediocre and expensive titles. I only hope that this game and future releases receive the recognition amongst gamers that they deserve.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Godbound: A Game of Divine Heroes (Deluxe Edition)
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The Hero's Journey Fantasy Roleplaying (First Edition)
Publisher: Gallant Knight Games
by Matthew L. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 03/16/2016 14:23:53

I have long been seeking what I would call, my ultimate version of Dungeons & Dragons. I have tried many, many systems ranging from the various editions of D&D (from 2nd to 5th editions) all the way to the indie clones (Dungeon World, White Hack, Torchbearer), the OSR systems (including Swords & Wizardry and Labyrinth Lord) and modern takes on the genre of traditional fantasy (Pathfinder, Fantasy Age, Dungeon Crawl Classics). I can say, with all honesty, that they pale in comparison to this marvellous work by Mr Spahn. The Hero's Journey manages to capture that "feel" of D&D fantasy that other systems have tried to nail but haven't quite managed. The writing is concise, friendly and informal without being bogged down with colloquialisms or excess chatter. The rule system is simple and, once grokked, intuitive enough for old hands and beginners alike. The layout is crisp with some lovely artwork by none other than Mr Larry Elmore (I adore the front cover art; a Tolkien-esque tribute if ever I saw one!). A perfect selection of races and classes is presented along with a profession system which harkens back to secondary skills of earlier editions. I like it. I like it a lot. Alongside this there is an ample bestiary, a modest spell selection and some very spot-on advice for getting a game off the ground applicable to both veterans and rookies alike. James pitches at just the right level; inclusive and useful with no wasted words or dry prose. Moreover this is not a game that attempts to overwhelm readers. It keeps things simple and then enourages readers to journey towards the campaign of their desires; be that epic or modest in scope.

What else can I say? If I had any wishes for this book it would be information on creating specialist clerics, a larger spell list (including magic missile!) and more beasties. Then again, it is already so well packed that I have no complaints, only requests for more! I would love, love to see a companion volume to this along with extra rules options, more spells, beasties & deities.

To summarise: Mr Spahn has knocked this one completely out of the park. A wonderul piece of work, a terrific game; not just an homage to old-school D&D but, dare I say it, something that takes the old torch and re-lights it, paving the way through dungeons anew and then passing it forward for a whole new generation of adventurers to enjoy.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
The Hero's Journey Fantasy Roleplaying (First Edition)
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