3 comments about Talisman: The Magical Quest Game.

1. I played Talisman through my college years in the mid to late 80s. It was our "default" board game and we all loved it. Unfortunately, we all moved on with our lives and the fellow who owned it moved away and fell out of touch. I've hoped for years that it would be re-released as used copies with missing pieces sell for $80-$100 online. I received my copy of this new release of Talisman today and played it with my friends tonight... I can definitely say that the magic is back!
   
   The game itself is basically the same game I played back in the 80s with a more detailed set of instructions and a bigger board. The characters and rules are pretty much as I remember them. Each player randomly selects a character to play (such as the assassin, the prophetess, the monk, or the troll) and maneuvers through three consecutively more difficult regions of the board to reach the center. As the game progresses each character will become more powerful by randomly encountering and defeating various monsters, gaining magical items and followers. Players can also help or interfere with each other as they progress. The game takes one to three hours to play for two to six players.
   
   The only complaint I have about this new edition is that the plastic counters that are used to track lives, strength, and craft are all one color and that makes the numbers a bit hard to read. Overall I am thrilled with my purchase and hope that the old expansions such as The Dungeon, The City, and Timescape are released as well. Highly recommended!



2. This review is more for those who know at least a little of the game. So I mainly cover what the different is from the 1st/2d editions. Also the news I have heard up to date. (FEB 7 08)
   
   Black Industries has done well with this game. the Layout is the same as the 1st/2nd edition game. The Artwork is beautifully done. in fact when I get together with my dad to play his complete 2nd edition with all the expansions we use my board and the updated rules. The important updates that you actually have to go to Black Industries to find out about is that you do draw a card in the desert, and that the prophetess's power (as well as the orb of Knowledge's power) to draw an extra card should work that you draw the proper # of cards and if there is one you do not wish to encounter then you may replace it with the next adventure card but you must encounter that card. (This is a very important rule that helps balance that character out) there were a few other minor things but those were the two most important.
   
   Black Industries did announce that there will be expansions for this edition but so far there is no word as to if they will be the same as the previous edition expansions or not. I really hope that they bring out the alternate endings soon as just the crown of command can get a bit dull.
   
   There are also three downloadable characters from the Black Industries site. the Pixie, Hobgoblin and the Gnome. The Hobgoblin is the only of the three that was in the old list of playable characters.
   
   The Pixie is safe in forest, can avoid enemies in the woods and always has two spells. 1 Strength and 5 Craft.
   
   The Gnome is safe in the forest, starts the game with two spells and teleports anywhere within the region on a roll of six. 2 Strength and 4 Craft
   
   GREAT GAME my wife and I play about once or twice a week. (I use the alternate endings from the 1st/2nd edition that is all I have added)



3. Even if they never remake the alternate boards ( cityscape, dungeon scape, and the rest) it's still one of my favorite board games. Game play is a bit random, and tactics don't help you much but I think it's more fun watching the guy in the lead turn into a toad and lose everything than it would be winning threw guile.
   games tend to take an hour per player in my experience so plan accordingly.

1 comments about *OP Havens of the Damned.

1. If you are looking for a 'how to' guide to havens: tips on interesting and secure locations, security, and ways to add atmosphere to a character's haven this is not for you. This book basically just gives you ten or so sample havens, most of which are just strange and stupid. Storytellers might be able to include some of theis stuff into stories, but for players it is ll but useless.

2 comments about Van Richten's Guide to the Walking Dead (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.0 Fantasy Roleplaying, Ravenloft Setting).

1. This is the best of the Ravenloft supplements so far. It gives a nice structure to the undead and some of the new creature concepts are very nice and will come in quite handy to add some terror in the campaign. Much of the information would work very well even outside of a strict Ravenloft setting. Keep up the good work.



2. It's Ravenloft at it's finest and undead at it's prime. What could be worse than fighting against Ravenloft's custom undead creaters that stalk the night, haunt the forests, and hunt the living? Ravenloft answer making those undead stronger and giving you the ability to make your own Ravenloft undead monsters. This can be achieved through this book it gives you a comprehensive list of abilities, powers, and appearances that you can give to any character. So if you had a really nasty villian that you loved and your players recall with infamany you can bring em' back to the land of the living to scare the crap of them one more time in ways they would never see coming. I would recommend this book to any self respected horror fan, Ravenloft fan, and anyone gamer that wants a second chance at their players with their favorite villian.

1 comments about Epic Role Playing Bestiary.

1. This is the 3rd of my reviews of the 4 book EPIC rpg line.
   I'll review them in the order they are presented as gamebooks.
   
   ER-3 (EPIC Roleplaying, Book #3) is simply named "Bestiary" and is the line's volume dedicated to the 'monsters' and other creatures of EPIC.
   
   The book begins with the obligatory 'how to use the beasts', classifications of beasts, statistics of beasts, role-playing tips, beast treasure hoards and combat with beasts. The introduction is 5 pages, with the bulk of the book being the collected beast entries at 110 pages, a 2 page glossary, 4 pages of beast listings by type or difficulty and a 2 page index.
   
   Once again, I am impressed with the easy-to-read and imaginative writing! This is no mere book of trolls, faeries, unicorns and dragons (although they do have dragons, but presented in a much more 'naturalistic' vein). This collection of beasts contains descriptions of creatures ranging from sinister forms of undead and demons that border on nightmares like those from Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" stories, to bizarre
   monstrosities and extradimensional entities that don't conform to reality. Inbetween these extremes are several beasts that form the 'natural ecology' of the fantastic world of Eslin.
   
   Most of the entries are imaginative and unique with few being rehashed mythology; when you see one that could be it's different enough to warrant points for style. I really wish there was more art though...some of the creatures are difficult to imagine from written description and some I just have to see because they sound so cool! For this, I give the book only 4 stars, a minor qualm that does not interfere with game use. With a little converting these beasts could be used in any game (fantasy, sci-fi or horror).
   
   Fluffy and crunchy, this is a great rpg sourcebook!

No comments about Buffy Character Journal (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Accessories).

2 comments about *OP Dharma Book: Bone Flowers (Kindred of the East).

1. "The Bone Flower Dharma book included a lot of nifty detail and insight into what it means to be a Bone Flower. However, the White Wolf writers made the all too common stereotyping of shadowy, therefore assassins as was the case for the Lasombras and the Sluaghs.



2. This book provides great insight into the Bone Flower dharma. I really appreciated how each tenant of the dharma was examined and illustrated with colorful fables. I didn't begin to understand what this dharma was really about until I read those. There's also information on how Bone Flowers often view and interact with the other dharmas, and what life is like in different parts of the Middle Kingdom for Bone Flowers. If you're looking for amazing new powers and traits, you won't find many here, but if you're curious about how to role-play this dharma, this book will help. I look forward to future books in this series.

1 comments about *OP Order Book Michaelites (Engel).

1. This is the first (and so far only) Order book for the Engel RPG. While I was pleased with what this book provides (an in depth looking into the Order of Michael and their Himmel in Roma Aeterna), I was hoping to hear some real crunchy bits, like perhaps some insight into the truth about the Pontifex or the Arch Engel. The only 'crunchy' bit you get is some info about Fallen Engel, and even that is more along the lines of hints about them. Still, this book supplies a load of info about the highest Order of the Engel, giving new powers and character ideas. Ideal for any one who's favorite Order is the Michaelites.
   
   Sadly, this book isn't nearly as beautiful to look at as the two previous Engel books, but hey, they can't all be perfect. And, any way, its a book, so its about the quality of the words that really matter, not the art.

1 comments about *OP Exalted Blood and Salt (Exalted).

1. Exalted's sourcebook on the Southwest. You get a fairly detailed description of the geography, politics, and culture of the kingdom of An-Teng and the Lintha pirates. An-Teng is based loosely on Colonized Southeast Asia, although I don't think the guy who wrote it actually knew anything about Southeast Asia. But who cares about that nerdiness, An-Teng would be a fun place to set a campaign of any nature.
   
   There's also a Chapter on Lintha, but its off the wall in a bad way. I don't think I'll ever use it in a campaign.
   
   Finally, there's an Antagonist Chapter, containing the usual array of Gods, Exalts, and plain old weirdoes. The antagonists are interesting, but I doubt many of them would challenge a Celestial Circle.
   
   Overall an interesting book, but not as good as the rest of the line.

1 comments about Conan: Heretics Of Tarantia (Conan).

1. Heretics of Tarantia is rather unique among RPG modules in that the hack-n-slash elements are downplayed in favor of stealth, intrigue, and diplomacy skills while not sacrificing any gaming enjoyment. Tarantia is the capitol of Aquilonia and called "The City of Wonders". The module is set during the time of Conan's reign as King of Aquilionia however business of the kingdom finds him away from his throne as his councilor and chancellor Publius is left in charge. The module's preface explains that until the time of Conan, only the worship of the god Mitra was permitted in the city and all other religions were banned. Conan changed this to allow freedom of religion (since he himself called upon Crom). This did not sit well with the priests of Mitra who use the King's absence to strike a blow against the other upstart cults, specifically the Cult of Asura.
   
   Led by Constantus, Priest of Mitra and leader of the Brotherhood of the Bull, they have made dark alliances with wealthy nobleman as well as Stygians to rid Tarantia of all worship of Asura. The adventure is designed for 4 - 6 players from 5th to 7th level of experience. The players will find themselves caught up in this deadly game of conspiracies and intrigue when they come upon a dying priest of Mitra who warns them about the Brotherhood.
   
   Players in this module will have to use their wits and charisma as much, if not more than their sword arms as they will eventually make contact with Publius and reveal what they've found as he will request (strongly!) the players aid in helping to find out further information about who is behind the plot and then stopping them. The players will need to gather information, perform interrogations, and use other methods of stealth to achieve their goals. But it's not all stealth...there will be a fair dose of battle as well as the players explore both the city and its underbelly to win the day.
   
   A different type of adventure, but fun; the writers know Conan's world and its history and have done a wonderful job of capturing the look and feel of the savage Hyborian age. Another great Conan product from Mongoose!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

2 comments about Vampire Chroniclers Guide (Vampire: The Requiem).

1. The Requiem Chronicler's Guide adds a large number of new game options and suggestions for playing Vampire. Far from being a book of powers, this product is a collection of essays on how to alter the core game in order to meet a variety of different concepts. From playing vampire kings to solo play, the Chronicler's Guide offers a wealth of new roleplay opportunities.
   
   The only downside I can think of is that most Storytellers will only use a small percentage of the product. If you want new powers (Devotions, Bloodlines, etc) you wont find any here. If you're just playing Vampire this book is useless, as it's entirely about how the Storyteller can tell more compelling stories and modify the core rules and concepts to shake things up and present Vampire in a different light. If you like Vampire but would prefer to tinker with it and try out something new then this is an excellent buy.



2. There is a lot of interesting information here, just most of it is out side the box so to speak.