2 comments about Classic Battletech: Guide to Covert Ops (FPR35008).

1. This book mostly deals with the intelligence and paramilitary organizations (both government-sanctioned and anti-government) of the many Battletech houses, but does not deal with special forces units. Furthermore, the equipment section is scant, with only a half-dozen items--though these are mostly electronic infiltration and information-extracting aids instead of weapons, specialty uniforms, and the like (let alone specialty 'Mechs/battlearmor). That said, the information they do give is quite exhaustive and thorough, but I was more interested in the things that they ended up leaving out when I bought this book.



2. Good background on most of the IS intelligence agencies, however, the life path section leaves much to be desired. Some lifepaths are missing and it's painful to try to put the pieces together when large gaps are left in the lifepath system. This of course is the problem with lifepaths. It's BASIC (the programming language), for character creation but when 10 can't go to 20, or Free Skye Affiliations can't go to Rebel Operative (the required next path), the whole system comes to a screeching halt.
   
   Since I purchased this product for it's integration with the Classic Battletech RPG, the flaws seriously disappoint. If you are looking for a generic source book on intel agencies, this might work for you. If you are looking for specific lifepaths and MW3/CBT:RPG info, wait for the errata to come out.
   
   PS: I've heard that a new life paths system is in the works, which may correct these errors. Hopefully that will be released soon. At that point, I'll update my review.

No comments about Career Building Through Alternate Reality Gaming (Digital Career Building).

1 comments about Forgotten Futures: The Scientific Romance Role Playing Game.

1. This is the main rulebook for the Forgotten Futures game, a line which offers historical fiction (with novels and stories by authors like Kipling and Conan Doyle) along with game rules, adventures and worldbooks to play in the "Scientific Romances" genre (i.e. the speculative fiction, or Science Fiction, if you prefer, of the Victorian and Edwardian period).

   The book covers all rules for "generic" adventuring in the period, detailing both the standard RPG topics (like combat and skill advancement) and specially designed systems for covering genre-specific stuff like "lost-world" dinosaurs and wondrous scientific discoveries.

   The game system was developed just for this line, and has been available by electronic distribution for years, ensuring a good playtesting. It has been used either as a standalone product or as a sourcebook for other game lines (like Space 1889 or Castle Falkenstein).

   If you like the idea of adventuring in the worlds of Wells or Verne, Forgotten Futures is a must-buy: it is very playable, well-researched and comes with a lot of period-specific material.

5 comments about The Living Dead (Dungeons & Dragons Novel).

1. The second book in the Dungeons and Dragons series that feature the Iconic characters from the 3rd Edition Player's Handbook, "The Living Dead" pits our heroes against undead villainy running amok.
   
   The heroes from the PHB this time include Devis, Mialee, and Soveliss, along with a secondary cast of characters that round out the group. The story tends to have a lot more humour in it than you'd expect: two people end up running around a city naked in the pouring rain, for example, before the story is very far underway. There's some classic fun in this one, as well as very dark villains and sometimes gore-laden descriptive text. After all, undead are the enemy.
   
   There's no great mental challenge to these books so far, and that's fine - this is not reading intended to change your life, after all. The length is still very short for the price, but the story - even if it is straightforward - is entertaining. This is candy for the mind, easily and quickly enjoyed, and I'll happily admit I'm hooked.
   
   'Nathan



2. This isn,t a bad book, but I really expected a tale involving a lot of different undead types, and instead I found the group was facing little more than a Wight. No offense, but there a plenty scarier undead to choose from than wights. The tale isn't bad and some of the characters are fun, but the story is rushed, told in well under 300 pages. Had I known I was paying six bucks for a book under three hundred pages I would have thought twice before making a purchase. As it is, I will say away from TH Lain's Penny Dreadfuls that cost a dollar. Definately a throw away tale, as I read this a month ago and cannot recall a single character's name.

   Not a bad read, just not worth the cover. 2 stars for shortness of story and forgettable characters.




3. This is a book fun to read, fighting undead with inspired melody, magic spell and enchanted sword. But probably it has too much "fun", i.e. not only one but two main characters both got naked and then subsequencely even running naked across the whole town.

   The already shorten story line is also too much predictable, IMHO. I believe I guess 90% of the ending when I just finished about 1/3 of the book. Along with the main characters, there are too many secondary characters, and most of them are very "short lived", and not being described in much more details than just one or two sentences. According to the "tradition" of this series, i.e. no more than 200 pages for each title, this shortcoming might be a given.

   Overall, this is not a bad book, it is fun and no brainer, but this title might be the worst in this series so far. 1.5 stars if I could give.




4. This book is so much better than the previous one it resurrects the just born series. In this piece we have a new cast of characters, more seasoned adventurers than in The Savage Caves and the story is of a 1000 year epic struggle involving higher powers rathern than the cave crawl of the previous book.

   The pace is slower and the characters are allowed to give much more exposition, probably too much exposition with many speeches giving the history of everyone. However it does allow the characters to become much more fleshed out than the ones from The Savage Caves.

   The actual adventure consists of a bard, mage, cleric and ranger trying to finally end the terror of a very powerful undead. It was actually solidly mediocre and uninspired, just what you'd expect from franchise fiction.

   All in all, an improvement over the very poor The Savage Caves yet only a mediocre 3 out of 5.




5. This book is horrible.Fans of D&D will every disapointed (The main enemy is a CR 3 Wight?)Thia is also extremly inapropriate for children under 12. anyone older than this should not be reading this junk anyway. Awful just awful. First the main characters get drunk! GASP! Then comes a naughty part which i feel I cannot tell you about online. Look at reviews under mine to find out.This boook is also rediculos. So the little young gnome cleric turns out to be a anicent elf cleric? The wizzard gets a potion and now she can only say things like Banna Wheelbarow Potato? Dont waist ur money. This book would be over priced at 1.99!!! Go read something better. Like The wheel of time.

No comments about Dark Horse Heroclix, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. Action Pack.

2 comments about *OP Secrets Of Shadoloo (Street Fighter).

1. The author obviously has no idea of what he`s saying.Starting by the fact that he miscalls the -ShadowLaw- .



2. This is meant to be the companion of the Street Fighter core rulebook, and all in all it's not bad. The "Shadoloo" referred to in the title is the game's globe-spanning criminal empire and main collection of bad guys, which means that this is mostly for the GM and not the players.

   The book begins by giving a brief overview of how Shadoloo operates; this is at times too brief and at times not brief enough, concentrating on the big string-pullers and not the street-level plots and crimes which the player characters are more likely to thwart. Still, it's not a bad set up at all, and has plenty of good ideas in it.

   Next, those Street Fighter characters and martial arts styles conspicuously left out of the core rulebook are profiled. The fighting styles are in balance with their predecessors, and the new special manuevers add interesting new dimensions to combat. The sample villains provided are standard issue heavies, which in a game like this means lethal, colorful, and robustly evil.

   Third, the book profiles Shadoloo's island fortress headquarters, which is sufficiently dangerous and weird to offer all kinds of inspiration to even novice gamemasters. Some of the elements like brainwashed jungle tribesmen, murderous rose bushes, super-intelligent giant squids, and robot guards with ray guns may not be in keeping with some playing styles, but none of these are critical components of the chapter and can easily be left out of the game.

   Finally, as in the core rulebook, an adventure is provided. It has all the common features of a Street Fighter scenario: intrigue, wacky hijinx, melodramatic villainy, and plenty of opportunity to kick butt.

   All throughout, the artwork is solid and the pages, including much of the text, are full-color.

   Downsides to the "Secrets of Shadoloo" include its brevity (around 80 pages), and its cursory examination of the organization's daily activities and personalities.

   It's not perfect by any means, but "Secrets of Shadoloo" adds some good stuff to the core rules without including any real junk, and considering what followed in the product line, that's something to be proud of.

1 comments about Will to Power.

1. I gave this four out of Five stars due to the tthin page count for a hardcover. Great bok and a good addition for the GODLIKE game. Lots of examples of characters and background info on the Nazi superhumans. The book is a must for anyone GMing GODLIKE and a good read for those just playing or just wanting to be entertained, Dennis Detweiler is an excellent writer and does in research. It shows in this book.

No comments about Complete Guide to Liches.

5 comments about Dungeons and Dragons Rules Cyclopedia.

1. The D&D Rules Cyclopedia is undoubtedly a classic. Every rule from the Basic to Masters boxed sets is covered in a very easy-to-read format. Multiple coloured maps of major Known World countries are in this book, along with brief descriptions. Additionally, an entire coloured map of both the Known World and Hollow World. A multitude of monsters are presented, including ones inhabiting the outer planes of existence. Every piece of information you could want about beginning any character and advancing to the hghest possible level also here. Tips for the DM on starting and running a campaign. Every other rule concerning combat encounters (very easy-to-understand) evasion, movement (both on foot and on any conceivable other mode of transportation, from ship to wagon, to horse etc.) Many treasure and magical item tables are very useful. Information on how players advance by acquiring treasure etc. One of the most useful things is a "Balancing Encounters" table which, although optional for the DM, allows him/her to always create fair encounters that will challenge players. Whether you're experienced or a newcomer, this book is truly a must-have, a reference work for D&D players of all levels and DM's.



2. This is a very good resource book for not only D&D, AD&D, but also newer versions of the game. I use it for ideas in running a Castles and Crusades game. It is one of the best gaming books ever printed by TSR, possibly the best period. Find it and buy it!



3. The Rules Cyclopedia is the type of rulebook that 3rd Edition D&D lacks. Rather than requiring a library worth of books, everything you need to play the game is contained in this one, straightforward and well organized volume. Character, Monster, Treasure and Adventuring rules are all contained within these pages. This book, plus pencil, paper and dice are all a player and DM need for an evening of fantasy adventure. If Wizards of the Coast produced a book like this for 3rd edition, I would buy it in an instant.



4. I can't say too much from my own experience. I bought this as a gift. But the recipient was thrilled and says he 'had a weekend long "geekfest" because of this book'! :) (Those were his exact words, I swear!)



5. Like most rulebooks, this book reads like stereo instructions. It is, however, everything a DM or player of basic D&D.

No comments about Complete Guide to Werewolves *OP (Complete Guide).