5 comments about Dark Ages Vampire Limited Ed.

1. From the get go, White Wolf shows why they are on top of this industry with their intial revamp of the Dark Ags line. DA: Vampire hammers a home run with the artistic layouts and eye catching images found within. New and interesting spins are offered that were either barely touched on in the original incarnation or non existant to begin with. Some rules are updated and others expanded upon (like Mortis and the Road paths).

   However, what keeps this book from being a 5 star knock out is it's stunning lack of future premonitions that were prevalent in the earlier edition. Leaving some of those key elements up to the previous book to cover was bad form on the writers part and it's exclusion kills much of the depth the original DA book had.

   Ending summary:

   The good: New information and new spins on the clans, roads, and disciplines. Compelling artwork and layouts.

   The bad: The way the previous book was largely written off. Key elements from the old book would have enhanced this DA product immensely. It wouldn't have hurt to have some definative "set in stone" issues resolved like the origins of the Tremere (hinted at being servants to the Tzmisce) and the final fate of the Cappadocians. While White Wolf is known for their contradictory storylines and comments within their own books, at least previous books took a stance. The notable lack thereof in this one is fairly glaring.

   All in all though, a top notch book. A definate replacement to it's predessesor. Just don't throw the old book away as the two can work well together in a main book/companion type of role.




2. A stand alone game, this setting (medieval) offers limitless possibilities of role playing vampires in a setting uniquely suited to the genre of horror and the supernatural. Of all the White Wolf historical settings this is the most researched, the most playable and the best in terms of mood and themes. Imagine playing an immortal vampire who begins his existance into the world of the damned in the age lit by fire to progress to the modern nights of neon and electricity.



3. This book is a wonderful introduction to the revised Dark Ages line. I approach every single book less like a player and more like an afficionado of the World of Darkness product line. I like the background and "fluff" more than the mechanics and how it applies to the roleplaying. In this regard, the book is rich in information about each of the clans and how they fit into Medieval times. The art work is visually appealing, which is something I cannot say about some of the clanbooks. If you acquire this book and like it, I would recommend collecting the follow-up volumes 'Guide to the Low Clans' & 'Guide to the High Clans', each of which "flesh-out" each clan and their identity during that period of time.

   If you were looking for a review on the mechanics and how this applies to roleplaying, et cetera ad infinitum ... I apologize because I only look that over for ideas I can use in an entirely different genre of game play ;)

   But from what I did look over, it is well written and easy enough to understand for someone who isn't a bonafide roleplayer (let alone a diehard gamer).




4. As usual, another good reviewed core rules book with plenty historical background, new roads and beautiful illustrations. The only flaw is the Salubri's absence.



5. White Wolf took their highly popular Vampire The Masquerade game and gave it a new twist. Unlike our current time, where no-one believes in monsters and vampires, and they get to skate on by, a lot of the time, this book sets the players in a situation where that is not the case.
   
   In the Dark Ages of human history, people actively did try and seek out vampires or other monsters, and destroy them.

1 comments about Gary Gygax's Cosmos Builder.

1. I'll say right now, that this work more than exceeded the goal that I had for it.
   
   From the Author's Introduction on Page 5, "More than just a guide to a preconceived vision of a cosmology, this book actually gives you the tools to create your own multiverse."
   
   What a statement. Meaning, this book is not "The Inner / Outer / Elemental Planes" as we know them from D&D (though it references those concepts), or a pre-generated setting such as that described in either editions of the Manual of the Planes (TSR, and WOTC); This book allows you to totally replace that setting with your own original creation (for any genre, not just fantasy) from the ground up, for those who don't want or need "The 666 Infernal Layers of the Abyss," who have a different vision of the Planes of Good, or who have their own vision of the Multiverse.
   
   I found this book to be a refreshing eye-opener to "detailing" what I had formerly seen as "the way it was" as regarding the planes of existence for three decades of gaming.
   
   Regarding the Contents:
   From the beginning, this work is a paradigm-shifter. Urging the reader not to treat the Planes that they create with this work as yet another "dungeon in space," but instead to consider that "...you have the seeds of a mythology...every plane...every deity...in your setting says something about the cosmology."
   
   You can use this book to build not only planes, but also what that means thematically in a creation much larger than that, of much vaster scope, with much greater implications.
   
   The book is divided into three sections:
   - A "cosmographer's mapping toolkit for the multiverse"
   - The common types of these places as they are encountered
   - "How metaphysical concepts are used to develop individual planes."
   
   The language here is somewhat technical, and consists of physics-like jargon sprinkled with phrases like "dimensional matrices and space-time", "multidemensional metapysical tool" "matrices [are] formed where they meet some plane, sphere, or pocket universe," but with careful reading, I was able to comprehend it readily.
   
   Certainly, the approach is from a person with at least some physics / cosmology background, with some (very brief) side trips into dimensional theory for the layman. Star Trek writers / gamers will eat this up. Certainly, anyone who has perused the D&D "Manual of the Planes" in any depth will "get" this.
   
   Charts throughout the book, along with notes on how to implement this within a setting. There is no math, nor calculus involved, merely illustrating the concepts upon which the planes exist, and function. I got many, new ideas regarding my own game cosmology here, certainly.
   
   This simple review cannot do especially Chapter 3 its deserved justice, with phrases in the Plane of Air section describing "a limitless expanse of sky...few places where one could rest...clouds, birds...a flying castle," or the Plane of Water, "islands of elemental spheres floating in the depthless ocean."
   
   A final chapter of this section details the Aethereal Plane, connecting and binding the physical planes and metaphysical concepts. (I thought back the the Inner and Outer planes of D&D, the "force" from Star Wars, and other ideas.) Very well done, full of flavor and ideas.
   
   Suggestions abound about what these Planes are for, how they work, what it means to your selected setting's story characters and mythology, along with traits and suggested names, with samples from real-world mythology "Hades" and "Heavenly", "accepted standard" fantasy gaming mythology, "The Abyss" and Gehenna", and others "Incarceratia - The Eternal Prison Sphere".
   
   Again, many ideas are delivered here. Certainly, I found many sparkling gems which "Broke the Mold" of my prior thinking as regards the Outer Planes of traditional D&D, at least.
   
   Regarding the Rest:
   Finally, there is a real treasure trove here in some brief appendices in the back of the book, starting with p.111, Appendix A, Sample Planes, detailed enough in a little less than a page each, for a total of a little over 4 pages, with evocative descriptions, sufficient for a capsule description in your own "Manual of the Planes," or to use for a "flavor of the Plane" encounter.
   
   Overall, I thought this work well worth the price of admission, for the vast number of new idea that it has already given me to spur my imagination, to delve into my subconscious, and thus reveal those thoughts, and concepts that make my creations truly mine, if I had the power to create a plane with some careful thought and consideration. With Cosmos Builder, that power can be yours, also.
   
   Most definitely a valuable edition to any writer's / gamer's library for those who ponder and like to tinker with the concrete details of the construction of the planes of their own personal Multiverse, planning it out in detail, or exploring it as they go. I've added it to my growing library of tools/handbooks that I feel absolutely essential to game campaign creation.

2 comments about Dragonlance Holy Order of the Stars (Dragonlance).

1. I must say, everything that I have ever wanted to know about the different religions on Ansalon is covered in this book. For those of you constantly struggling over how to pronounce a certain gods name is also covered, along with all their different names to the different nationalities of Ansalon. Highly recommend this book to all who travel the world of Krynn.



2. Excellent source book. As usual for the 3.5 edition of Dragonlance books, the artwork is really good.

2 comments about New York by Night (Vampire: the Masquerade).

1. This book is what you need to run a good chronicle in NYC.
   It covers all you need to know about the city through the eyes of the kindred, including:
   a brief history of the city as the kindred know it, a full guide to new yorks "hot spots" (including maps of the boroughs and even the subway!), a big section dedicated to the storyteller characters, including some surprisingly familiar faces ;)
   and more
   I recomend this book with all my heart, VIVA NEW YORK!



2. This book skipped all of the interesting things I was looking forward too in a New York book. You'd be better to invest in a travel guide of the city. There was so much opportunity to make this book come alive with faction feuds, garou tie ins (did they forget they already published a new york book? 'Rage across New York") or maybe even an interesting character of two.

No comments about GameMastery Module: Guardians Of Dragonfall (GameMastery Module).

5 comments about Dreams: The Art of Boris Vallejo.

1. Everyone who likes fantasy art would be satisfied of this book. I like Boris' works. It contains veriety of pictures that prove his great imagination. From exotic women to horrible monsters with their fighting tools. I expected to see more drawing works of him but I found only one. Many works in the book are great and some are not. However, if you are the fan, you must have it.



2. Born in Lima, Peru, Vallejo got an early start in his art education at the age of fourteen while studying art at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes on a scholarship. The talented little boy grew up to be the titan of art, responsible for breathtaking art featured on fantasy book covers, movie posters, album covers and motion picture ads along with his own portfolio books such as this one.
   
   Dreams is another fabulous book, a sure collectible for any fantasy and art fan, I know that he started my own passion of art as my father, a gifted artist in many fields has always made Vallejo and other artists books available to me, inspiring me to follow art as well. This fabulous volume is chock packed with stunning women, glistening warriors, beasts and monsters, enchanted lands and wicked creatures that can only emerge from the cocoon of Vallejo's imagination. This a marvelous book in a glossy hardcover jacket that looks at me proudly from my shelf among other volumes by Boris, Julie Bell, Milo Manara, Chris Achilleos, Serpiri and many others who stir my creative juices.
   
   - Kasia S.



3. I have no idea what the person from dallas is talking about. I loved this work of Boris. I espsecially loved the Sections on the mythical beasts, and women of wonder. This is my best Boris book yet. I challenge any artist to match boris in the worlds of magic and fantasy. A definate must for all boris and fantasy fans.



4. I love this book because it has lots of beautiful paintings from the author. I like this book more than the Titans. The artworks from Titans doesn't stand out or look as clean as the ones from in this book. This book has pictures ranging from mythical beings and animals, to futuristic designs. The disadvantage about this book is the non appealing art cover and its high price. Overall, it's an excellent reference book.



5. The amazing world of Boris Vallejo is condensed down into this picture book of god like bodies and fairytail fantasy scenes. Shown are some of his movie work, clothing ad work, Franklin Mint and his most favorite subject, his wife, Julie Bell.

   There are some comedy moments of his works as well, including a portrait of the then president of the United States, Bill Clinton. He explains that some of his works have been described as too relvealing esspecially of his wife Julie. But as the pictures show when one gets over the fact, they are quite beautiful.

   A book mainly for the older reader, artist or Vallejo fans only.

2 comments about Make Believe : A Book of Costume and Fantasy (The Fancy Box).

1. What a great book! I have given it to countless children as a gift and it has always been received with rave reviews! This book truly stimulates imagination and fun for both children and parents.



2. This book is a great, and I can't believe it's gone out of print. I consider myself lucky to have gotten a copy second-hand. It truly does allow kids to create costumes from stuff that is just lying around the house. Grocery sack cowboy (or girl) vests...you bet. Bath towel genies...check. Trash bag caped vampires...yep. (The only costume that's a bit outdated is the cheerleader one that used tractor-feed printer paper ends for pom-poms.) My personal favorite costumes were the Muscle Man, the Island Dancer, and The Equestrienne.
   
   A must for kids who like to play dress up and for parents who don't want to spend a fortune on dress-up or Halloween costumes for their kids.

5 comments about Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion: Sybex's Official Strategies & Secrets.

1. this book was really worth it! before i got it i had to keep using the cheat codes every time and that really took the fun out of the game. Now i am the AOE2 expansion master!



2. this book was really worth it! before i got it i had to keep using the cheat codes every time and that really took the fun out of the game. Now i am the AOE2 expansion master!



3. I love this game. You get to use Spain and they even speak Castillian Spanish just like my Grandparents speak it. Really smooth gameplay, Great Online play I could play this game everyday all day for years and not get sick of it. I have been playing it since day one when it came out and I still love it. My only favorite P.C game title I still enjoy. Lots of great stuff in this game. Create own maps, download maps, Create characters, Awesome Map editor with the ability to use triggers. This game rips and always will. Santiago!!! Guerra!!!!



4. One> I am attending an AOK TC competition in 3 days. I needed a quick reference to all the civilizations which is found in this book plus strategies against and for. Two> Knowledge is power - info in the net may be diverse but it isn't complete. This book caters to my immediate needs. Three> If your sick of your performance against a 'Hard' skilled computer - I suggest you grab this book. Ages of Empires and Kings is a thinking man's game - it is the new age Chess or Toy Soldier game in full real-time.



5. The book gave what was needed and some more: how to beat each misson with flying colors, detailed descriptions of every civilization, strategies on how to win at multiplayer, and much more. the only down side was that if you buy this the game loses some of its chalenge.

1 comments about Babylon 5: Darkness And Light (Babylon 5).

1. The information in this book is awesome. There are tons of History on the Vorlons and The Shadows. If you don't want to be spoiled on the History of these first races, and other First Ones, like Lorian's race "The Speakers". There are other races mentioned in the History... and of course there are gaming mechanics for the Vorlons and Shadows, but also for some of the servitor races.. like the Drakh, and Zenier, and a couple others. Some of the planets known for those races as well.
   
   It is a very informative book... highly recommended if you want to game with those two races, or you are just a Babylon 5 fan who wants to know more about these ancient races.

No comments about Battlestar Galatica Ships Of The Fleet (Battlestar Galactica).