I absolutely adore this setting and system. Although the book is not always laid out in the most intuitive way or the easiest way to reference in playI absolutely adore this setting and system. Although the book is not always laid out in the most intuitive way or the easiest way to reference in play, it constantly throws out ideas and possibilities. The setting is so flavoursome. Want to play a scoundrel it run heists in a ever-dark Victorian slim meets Peaky Blinders meets Hustle meet Locke Lamora? This is the game for you....more
I've not used the system in anger yet, but it seems straightforward enough, a little old school, but certainly functional. Character generation is a I've not used the system in anger yet, but it seems straightforward enough, a little old school, but certainly functional. Character generation is a little detailed for my tastes, but, and this is a big, big but, the setting is quite simply magnificent. Original, well thought through hard sci-fi. Can't wait to give it a whirl. Who wouldn't want to play an uplifted dolphin in a distant water world with a mysterious past?...more
Another conflicted review I fear! This is a great game and wonderful setting, but somehow the book doesn't engage me as others do, not quite matching Another conflicted review I fear! This is a great game and wonderful setting, but somehow the book doesn't engage me as others do, not quite matching up to the heroic nature of the genre it describes. As a piece of writing 3 stars, as a game, I suspect nearer 5....more
A stunningly beautiful and evocative RPG, it isn't hard to see how this has quickly become seen by many as the definitive post-apocalyptic game. SimplA stunningly beautiful and evocative RPG, it isn't hard to see how this has quickly become seen by many as the definitive post-apocalyptic game. Simple but genre supporting rules, great sandbox tools and a meta-narrative all lend themselves to creating all the structure a GM requires to create a fantastic and atmospheric campaign....more
Lent this by a gaming friend who was surprised I'd never read it before, and having finished it I can see why. Dream World imagines a theme park whereLent this by a gaming friend who was surprised I'd never read it before, and having finished it I can see why. Dream World imagines a theme park where roleplaying games can be lived out in Real life through holograms and other trickery. To make the book a little more interesting than simply reading someone else's game campaign, alongside this a murder has taken place. Can the main character survive the game and solve the crime?
As a gamer I really enjoyed this, although reading it now in 2015 rather than early Eighties the idea feels less fresh than perhaps once it did. It's not particularly heavy weight and I sussed much of the plot fairly early on....more
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Dead Angels for review purposes.
Dead Angel's is Gunnar Roxen's second work in the Agency Case Files series of books,Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Dead Angels for review purposes.
Dead Angel's is Gunnar Roxen's second work in the Agency Case Files series of books, following on from The Wyld Hunt. This is set before the first book and is a novella rather than a full novel, and is based upon Lovelace who is also featured in the first book, exploring a case he was involved in before joining the Agency and partnering with Aries.
Like the Wyld Hunt, this is a fast paced investigation novel. A body is found washed up in Victory Docks in this futuristic London. A girl, dressed as an angel. Who is she? How did she end up here? Who is responsible? The story is well told, fleshing out Lovelace a lot more in his own right as it goes. Lovelace is a Pure, a human subspecies, enhanced with a toughened muscle bound figure, decorated with tattoos which tell his life story to those of the same religion. Because of this, and his shark-like teeth and all black eyes, he is regarded with suspicion by other humans, but he is also shunned by those of his own race for his work with the police. Alongside the plot of the investigation, this novella explores the divided loyalties of Lovelace as well as the impact of his faith upon his outlook and work, adding a further layer of depth to the setting beyond that laid down in the first book. There are some well written tender and delicate moments as well in the book, as well as the high powered action and the dark griminess of the setting, providing relief and adding roundedness.
It is a quick and highly enjoyable read, and it is satisfying seeing the setting and characters develop in depth. This is a series I will continue reading.
(Disclaimer: I was given a complementary copy of the kindle edition for review purposes.)
As a long time roleplayer (of the Dungeons & Dragons variety (Disclaimer: I was given a complementary copy of the kindle edition for review purposes.)
As a long time roleplayer (of the Dungeons & Dragons variety rather than computer gaming) I was brought up with the understanding that all good quests begin with a group of adventurers being approached by a stranger in a pub with the offer of a reward in return for their service. The Alchemist's Apprentice begins in a similar fashion with William Pilling coming upon Belinda Stobbard, wife of the late Sir Francis Stobbard, who is in 'The Throttled Pig' seeking help. In exchange for coin would he drive a cart and escort her on a journey north? As with all good quests, nothing is quite as it seems, and complications are a plenty. As you might have worked out from the names, this is not set in your traditional quasi-medieval setting for fantasy quests; instead it is set in England during the civil war.It is the story of the coming together of a disparate bunch of characters on a journey to discover the fate of a casualty in the strife, exploring on the way their different motives and beliefs.
The Alchemist's Revenge is a highly enjoyable romp of a book. It was a quick read, and, to use the oft used cliche but here appropriate, 'un-put-downable'. The story was fun in its own right, if not overly complex or literary, but the real hero of the piece is without a doubt the setting which I found to be rich in shade and detail. Alongside the basic twists and turns of the plot, you have the additional tension introduced by the various layers of factions and faiths of that time. There are the Royalists and Parliamentarians, the political factions, and the religious divide of Catholic and Protestant. Each of these have their extremists too, driven by their beliefs to desperate measures. Then you have the likes of The Diggers, people seeking a new way of life, tired by the strife that their world has become stuck in. Not all are driven by doctrine and philosophy though, as always there are those whose motivation is greed and wealth. What a wonderful backdrop this setting provides! I can't help but wonder why more have not exploited it.
This rich context is not enough to satisfy Cakebread, however. Applying a dash of the fantastical he whips up an alternative take on real life. No longer are the combatants armed with merely swords and blackpowder weapons, but the Royalists call upon the power of their philosophers' stones to summon elementals and other magick, and the Parliamentarians harness the discoveries of science and engineering to devise clockwork automata and warmachines. With these dreadful weapons unleashed against each other the country stands reeling from the bloodshed and in an uneasy state of stalemate. There is so much to intrigue and spark the imagination and plenty hinted at and laid down for future volumes of 'Companie of Relutant Heroes' series to explore. I for one will look forward to these works as I can't help but feel this book only scratches the surface of Peter Cakebread's creation.
Of course, if like me you are a keen roleplayer, you will be pleased to discover at the back of the book that it is based upon another work by Peter Cakebread along with Ken Walton, the roleplaying game 'Clockwork and Chivalry' (C&C). I wish I had read the book before first playing the game as it brilliantly brings it to life. Having read the book I am now better able to grock the setting and what it is capable of. I would recommend it to any players of C&C. Equally, if you can't wait for the next book, grab some dice and a copy of C&C and make up your own tales in this wonderfully original world.
I've awarded this 4 out of 5 stars. If I could I'd have given it 4.5. In the copy I was sent there were a few little typos, and the basic plot is of itself not highly original nor demanding, but the delightful setting by far compensates for this. Wonderful!...more
Really hard to know how to rate this one! Lovecraft is undoubtedly the master of weird horror, but his works are a mixed bag. Some totally gripping, oReally hard to know how to rate this one! Lovecraft is undoubtedly the master of weird horror, but his works are a mixed bag. Some totally gripping, others difficult to read with today's sensitivities and others frankly forgettable. I think on balance I can only give 3 stars, but note that this means some tales are 5 star, but others only 1....more
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