1 comments about Seven Strongholds (Penumbra/D20).

1. I have used this in 3 campaigns since I have bought this product. This is versatile and yet completely useful. Seven strongholds has enough semi ready to use pieces that you could place a strong hold into a game with maybe 15 or 20 minutes of prep time from most DM's. This is worth the money.

No comments about The Clone Wars: The Hidden Lab of Nelvaan: A Star Wars Miniatures Map Pack (Star Wars Miniatures Product).

1 comments about L5R RPG Masters of War (Legend of the Five Rings).

1. A great read for anyone who is interested in the wonderfully rich world of Rokugan. Covering the three warlike clans, Masters of War presents details and history that have been missing from previous L5R products. I would almost state that this book is a must have for a serious L5R player/GM, as it presents a whole host of new schools and techniques of the three Clans that are discussed within its pages, including reprinting of some schools so as to be located in one easy to find place.
   I eagerly await the remaining two parts of this mega-splatbook, detailing the 6 remaining clans and they're own particular areas of expertise.
   
   Joe

1 comments about Professor Dalrymple's Deluxe Patented Fairy-Catching System (Professor Dalrymple's).

1. I gave this Fairy Catching Kit to an 8 year old little girl for Christmas -- she really loves fairies. Her Mom said she has not stopped playing with it since she received it! What's especially so cute -- is the tiny cage!! Even her (almost) 50 year old Aunt said she would like one for her birthday...so it seems like it's the perfect gift for fairy lovers of ALL ages!

5 comments about FORGOTTEN REALMS CAMPAIGN (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd Edition).

1. I've like some of the FR stuff in the past, but this is the best it's ever been.

   A TRUE powergamer at heart, this book blew me away because I read it past the character changes and new game material.

   This book has all the characters you've read about, and they're no longer munchkins. A fairly complete history (finally!). It has all the geography instead of little bits and pieces. Complete maps. An explanation for most obscure things. Adventure hooks for almost every geographical area. God descriptions, organizations, etc... Some spells, character classes, prestidge classes (the new kits).

   It truly feels alive! It's like having all the old boxed sets, the F&A series, and the FR Adventures book all rolled into one!

   The best D&D product that I have bought in a loooooong time (12+ years) -- ranks up there with the 3e PHB, but without the typos (and ranger!).

   I only wish they would have detailed Karatur, Maztica, and Al-Qadim in enough detail to adventure there once in a while (if they only gave as much as they did to each of the Dalelands to each of those I'd be happy: an NPC or two, a couple cities, and a couple adventure hooks as to why the PCs would go there...)




2. Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb-Need I say more?
   This is the second Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting following in the tradition of providing vital information concerning the magical world of Toril. Ranging from background history, to city and social descriptions, to important people and characters, to the respective gods and pantheons, to adventure hooks and encounter tables, to magical items and artifacts, to new spells and monsters, to maps and specialty classes, this accessory has it all and more!
   For the FR enthusiast, like myself, I also strongly recommend the previous edition, which by the way is also in boxed set form (it will take a bit of searching, but it's well worth it), as well as the Third Edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which even though is quite expensive, is still very useful to all FR fans, in providing an update of events. In short, if you don't have it, GET IT! It is so worth it!



3. This is it! The first Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, by Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb, whom I, like so many other fans out there, owe our thanks to for creating this wonderful, fantastic world. This first Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is the one that began the tradition of providing vital information concerning the magical world of Toril. Ranging from background history, to city and social descriptions, to important people and characters, to the respective gods and pantheons, to adventure hooks and actual adventures-like the great adventure in the ruins of Myth Drannor-included in the set, to magical items and artifacts, to new spells and monsters, to fantastic maps and transparent hex overlays, this accessory has it all and more!
   For the FR enthusiast, like myself, I also strongly recommend the next, second FR Campaign Setting (Second Edition AD&D), which by the way is also in boxed set form (it will take a bit of searching, but it's well worth it), as well as the latest (so far) Third Edition D&D Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which even though is quite expensive, is still very useful to all FR fans, in providing an update of events. In short, if you don't have it, GET IT! It is highly addictive and so worth it!



4. A quick commentary: in my humble and deluded opinion I think the introduction of numerous supplements and add-ons dilutes the power of the imagination...
   
   Having said that, this boxed set hit the mark with a vengeance. Not only does it leave a ton of stuff to the imagination by providing a basic fantasy framework; but the framework it does provide is just the type needed that can explode in the imagination to thousands of possibilities. Extra books and more detailed boxed sets simply draw more boundaries - even if it seems there's more material in the box it's just more boundaries and more guidelines...
   
   This set is highly recommended and high quality!



5. Twenty years old this year, the Forgotten Realms Gray Box is still impressive today.
   
   On the heels of their success with Dragonlance, TSR cast about, looking for a more open-ended, less-scripted, and traditional AD&D-style campaign setting. For years, Ed Greenwood and friends had been playing his campaign world, and early Dragon magazine readers were frequently tantalized with articles such as Pages from the Mages, calendar-building, and magical treasures, all hinting at Greenwood's setting, the Forgotten Realms.
   
   TSR released this set (and also began the excellent FR-series modules) in 1987, the last years of AD&D 1st edition. Packed with 2 books, 4 poster maps, and 2 clear hex overlays, the Gray Box is chock-full of information and adventure hooks. Of course, you'll be wanting more, but there's plenty here to get started.
   
   CAUTION: It's been a long time since this set was in production, and the boxes were often the first to be lost. Read seller descriptions with care, as the first dozen listings for sale are typically missing books, maps and/or box. Do yourself a favor and get a complete set.
   
   
   Wayne Gralian
   Wayne's World of Books

3 comments about Advanced Bestiary (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. The core creatures of D&D are well known to every player. That's as it should be. Everyone would rather fight a minotaur whose legend extends back to the dawn of civilization than a smeerp which the DM thought up on the spur of the moment because he was frustrated that his players always knew all the abilities of the monsters in advance.
   
   The Advanced Bestiary offers a great solution: a host of templates that can add surprise to any of the classic monsters. By using these guidelines to modify a base creature, DMs can let their players experience the satisfaction of fighting a legendary creature like a bulette - and re-experience the fear that comes from not knowing what its limits are, since this bulette has the War Machine template and is thus actually an artificial construct.
   
   Each template comes with a sample creature that you can use right out of the book, just like the Monster Manual. But it's also a toolkit that you can use to soup up your own monsters, aided by the authors' notes and guidelines. There's not a lot of "fluff" - but if you've got an active imagination, you'll find plenty of inspiration here as you come up with stories to explain how this remorhaz became a Thunder Child!



2. There are many, many supplements for the d20 system out there, to the point where being a solidly written book simply is not enough to warrant a purchase. You can buy dozens of different monster books, many of which are very good. In order to stand out, a product needs to find way to be exceptional, which is exactly what the Advanced Beastiary does.
   
   The concept is simple: the book has zero orginal monsters and instead has about 100 templates. This could be boring, but many of the templates are engaging and interesting. The series of "dread" undead templates are wonderful, allowing for non-humaniod undead creatures in ways never before possible. The outsider touched series is also very interesting. Many of the templates are unique twists are are inspired by a specific source and really illustrate the mechanics of creatures that many people might have always wanted. The book does has its share of fillerish stuff, namely the para-elemental templates, but the vast majority is useful and inspiring. Some let help me make what I've always wanted, others make me want to make new things.
   
   The book has two main weaknesses. First, the CR/LA on the templates are very haphazard. They can't be used as anything other then a very loose guideline. Notes on setting these would have helped a great deal, in many cases they are practically useless. The second is the poor editting. For whatever reason, this problem abounds in most roleplaying books, regardless of company.
   
   Generally, this book is wonderful. It makes every other monster book you own better. I highly recommend it, certainly moreso then Monster Manual II, Monster Manual IV and most 3rd party theme compilation books. It takes more effort then ripping a monster out of a hat, but with pretemplated examples, you can actually do that too. All in all, its the best monster supplement I own.



3. A great addition to any game master's collection. Throw something at the know it all players. Buy it. Buy it now!

No comments about Pathfinder #12 Curse Of The Crimson Throne: Crown Of Fangs (Pathfinder).

2 comments about Paths of the Damned: Forges of Nuln (Warhammer Fantasy Rolesplay).

1. I enjoyed the information provided on nuln. In terms of campaign I put it above AoM (dislike linear adventures) and below SoA. There were some specific parts of FoN that I re-wrote for my campaign to make some sense. Some people will not have a problem with this and others will. In general it it was a decent adventure and tied up a nice campaign. If you are new to WFRP I would definatley pick up the PotD adventure books. There is plenty of good information to use in your campaigns.



2. I have ordered this but have yet to receive it... if the review shows up before the product that tends to reflect poorly upon the vendor.

5 comments about The King's Quest Companion.

1. The Kings Quest Companion Is Excellent! It's #1! If You Play The Games, Or If You Are In Need Of A Great Thing To Read, The Kings Quest Companion's More Than A Guide, It Details Each Game In Novels! Read It!



2. This book does exactly what it claims. It walks you through the King's Quest series step by step ensuring you get maximum gaming from the series. It also adds a story version to each setup. If you want the fast way to solve the series, I'd definately buy this book.



3. ...However, I've never really liked the KQ companion series of books. I just prefer to make up my own backstories for the events that occur in the games.



4. I used to own the King's Quest Companion back in the glory days of Roberta's oh-so-nostalgic PC games, but of course time has passed and I lost my book to a basement flood several years ago. When the compilation came out I decided to reorder the guidebook not only to help me out (who can turn Mannanan into a cat all by themself?!), but for the brilliant stories that Peter Spear creates for the world of Daventry and its royal family. Plus, only paying $3.25 for such a treasure was appealing to me as well.
   
   Of course, the book is just as I remember it being--full of illustrations from scenes of the game, helpful tips from Prince Alexander's perspective, and of course what the book was written for: complete walkthroughs to each game; maps and charts for where the character was to go; and item lists with the points value beside them. Spear was lucky to be the one to think of telling the stories this way. He is a very smart man.
   
   The only reason that I do not give this book the five stars it deserved was because it did not contain help for the seventh game. This was partly my own fault (I suppose that I could have read the description more thoroughly), and not truly the author's fault, but I was saddened to discover that I'd have to find an alternate help source in guiding Rosella and Valanice through Etheria.
   
   Howeve, despite my one complaint, I was otherwise completely happy with the book and recommend it to anybody who is looking for help in the 7-game series.



5. I just received this book,after ordering it here because I just ordered The King's Quest Collection for XP.
   This is what Amazon says.(I ordered the third Edition,which is the one shown in the picture.)
   
   
   Editorial Reviews
   
   Amazon.com
   "By the standards of computer game books, this is a staggering tome. That it covers the solutions to all seven King's Quest games doesn't account for its length and richness--not even when you take into account that it leads to multiple solutions of many problems. This is more than just a computer game solution book: it's a fantasy novel in its own right. In The King's Quest Companion we often follow the narrative stories of the King's Quest characters, seeing their world through their eyes, hearing their voices and thoughts, seeing them not as on-screen game pieces but as fully developed characters. That might even be too mild a description, because Spear insists throughout that the world of Daventry is "real" and that these stories all really happened. Certainly, the characters have become real for the devoted players who've followed their exploits since the first King's Quest changed the face of computer gaming in 1984. Spear's strategy guide offers solutions to the puzzles that have driven players to distraction for years, but more than that, he adds new depth to the King's Quest experience."
   
   
   This book is only 482 pages not over 600 as they claim,and it absolutely DOES NOT cover KQ7!
   
   I think such false advertising is inexcusable!

5 comments about Lara's Book--Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider Phenomenon.

1. In my mind's eye, I picture Lara back-flipping and gunning down the giant Atlantean mutant in Natla, the last level of Tomb Raider. If it wasn't for this book I wouldn't have completed Tomb Raider I, II or Unfinished Business.



2. I really like Douglas Coupland's writing--I've read Microserfs, and it's a great book, but what is THIS all about? A super-long fan book about a videogame character that looks like a generation-X pornstar? I'd be almost less surprised to hear he'd written a book about the Spice Girls. Yuck.



3. I am a big fan of Lara Croft, and try to get everything that has to do with her, most of 'em are good. BUT this book under review "Lara's Book" I hate!This book is not worth the paper that it is written on! The guides are inaccurate and confusing to read -- if you want a good walkthrough get "The Tomb Raider Official Strategy Guides" by Zach Meston, which are put out by Dimension Publications.The pictures (the only worthwhile thing about the book) can be found in other sources -- calenders, websites and so on.Finally the story . . . put me to sleep. Good night, ZZZZZZZ!



4. This book is mostly fluff, little substance. It looks like the bulk of the effort went into trying to be fancy with images download from the web. The walkthroughs are printed in multiple fonts--which makes them tough to read. There are much better guides available anyway. This book could have been much better. I was very disappointed. Save your money.



5. This book actually touches on two favorites of mine. Douglas Coupland is the author of two of my favorite books - Generation X and MicroSerfs. Tomb Raider is my favorite gaming series and I just adore Lara Croft. She is the coolest. This book combines a tribute to Lara and a walk-through of the Tomb Raider Games - I believe through Tomb Raider II. Now, anyone who's ever played TR knows how rockin' cool Lara Croft is. This book contains excellent renderings of our favorite adventurer. The overall book quality is very good - glossy pages and very well presented. There's a lot of look at but if you enjoy the series, then this is a must have. And just a reminder - as all Tomb Raider fans know - The Tomb Raider movie - starring Angelina Jolie ( they couldn't have made a better choice ) as Lara Croft - opens on June 15th 2001...I know I can't wait. Best Regards, turtlex