In this Flip Through Matt takes a look at the Rifts World book Sovietski. this book contains everything from prerift history to the present day. There are a lot of new character classes for Rifts in this game, plus bunkers, and a slew of cybernetics. C’mon in!
I really like the approach that was taken with Sovietski.
You can support Through Gamer Goggles by getting your copy here:
In this Flip Through Matt takes a look at the Bestiary 6 for Pathfinder. He chats about the Archdevils, Kaiju, new player races, Planar dragons, the Four Horsemen, and a few more along the way.
Music and Sound by Syrinscape.
Next week I should have the written review done, and we’ll take a look at Rifts Ultimate Edition.
Out of the Abyss
Adventure
255 pp.
Retail 49.95
Published by Wizards of the Coast
Being the fourth adventure book for Dungeons and Dragons 5th ed., it has a lot to live up to. Like Princes of Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss is also a full blown campaign for characters from levels 1 through 15. While it’s set in Forgotten Realms, it gives us a totally new look into this game world. It is the first look we get into the Underdark in 5th edition.
The first thing I noticed when reading this book was that it felt different or unique while still preserving a connection to Forgotten Realms. They did a good job of making the Underdark have a personality all its own. So many things they did make it a character that is dangerous, creepy, and weird. There are hints and reflections of psionics throughout the book, which brings a rising anticipation to the traditional Underdark motifs that we are used to, but with new interpretations and mechanics.
Valiant Bloodshot
This is the second free pdf for the Valiant RPG. It focuses on the story event the Harbinger Wars. Which inevitably pits Bloodshot against Harbinger Foundation, the renegades, and the Hard C.O.R.P.S. I haven’t read the story, but a friend of mine put it in to a context I would understand. He said take squirrels on crack, add the octagon and kung fu theatre effect – bam The Harbinger Wars!
I get that and it set some pretty high expectations for this adventure.
Before we start you should know a few things
The adventure is broken into 4 parts; the prelude,Horada Protocol, Promise broke, and Showdown on the steps.
I’m going to be my best and keep this brief. I really don’t want to spoil anything for you.
The prelude is what sets the stage. The players are Bloodshot and psiots. Bloodshot gets a bad wrap by the psiots and must convince them he’s innocent. When we played this was quite an exciting part of the game. We caused so much trouble we nearly killed each other off, but good story telling prevented an untimely death.
After a short rest, we ate dinner, we moved into the Harada Protocol. Which turned out to be my favorite part for two reason. It was almost non stop action of some sort – you fight Harada. We had all kinds of crazy thing going down that forced us to focus on game mechanics. I found this chapter to be a tutorial on great game play and the mechanics of the Valiant RPG system. Who said learning can’t be fun.
In the third part you’re supposed to recover from the battle fought in the Harada Protocol. It’s more like run for your life while you try and regain your health. The chapter is Blood shot trying recover while fending off the minions.
The last chapter is exactly what you would expect. It is the final battle. Where Bloodshot faces off with Toyo Harada. This portion of the adventure went badly for us and Bloodshot ended up loosing. But it was a tremendous amount of fun.
The adventure was an insane amount of fun. This and the QSR are a free download so there is no reason why you shouldn’t try this with your friends. It’s a super quick game to learn and it is very social. I mean your’e going to sit around with beer and pretzels anyway why not tell a story too?
If you are interested you can get Bloodshot at DriveThruRpg
Have you seen the new quick start rules for Valiant Universe RPG? I have. They made me reminisce on some of my early RPG days. In high school we role-played like it was our life. I can’t tell you how much D&D we played. We also played Marvel Super Heroes, Rifts, and even a little bit of DC mingled its way in. We had countless night where we would sneak out of our respective houses and meet up to play in a tent. Yes, I said a tent. Which didn’t do so well in the winter, but we managed to find a barn. There wasn’t any heat at first but we made it work.
I was and I still am very fond of the Marvel Super Heroes Game. It was the first RPG that expanded my vision of what RPG’s could encompass. The game also had a unique flair to it with karma and and power shifts. Valiant is going to be a game that does that same exact thing. Catalyst has introduced some very unique concepts that might just influence the future of story telling games. Two of these are the cue system and the introduction of a lead narrator, at least I have never seen it before.
The Cue system in a nutshell is this; character definition. On each character sheet there is a series of sentences that depict the characters personality. Some of these reflect the hidden identity of the character while others display attitude of the hero, and some exemplify the approach taken in combat. Basically, they are a guideline to influence the players decision making while attempting to stay in character.
Come on in and take a look at why Matt is so happy with the Inner Sea Campaign Setting for Pathfinder From Paizo Publishing.
You can learn more about Pathfinder at Paizo.
Here is our review of the Pathfinder Advanced Race Guide.
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Please continue for the full review.
Crafty Games Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Mistborn is an RPG set in the fantasy steampunk setting created by Brandon Sanderson. Before getting too in depth with the review I must give Brandon two thumbs up on his involvement in the process of creating the game. He not only authors the introduction story, he makes comments throughout the book.
The book itself is large, 500 pages. It is really three books in one. It is well organized and follows a sensible direction for teaching you how to play the game. I did find myself wishing there was more art. The book opens with a short story. The short story does an excellent job of immersing you into this game world. Sharing with you some of the basic concepts, like how this world is different, and allomancy. Allomancy is “metal magic” or one’s ability to weave, control or manipulate the powers and effects a metal obtains.
The world of Mistborn is a world trapped in an industrial revolution. The government is a fascist one that basically makes you conform or die. A few people (your character maybe) take on roles of thieves and bandits. By skirting the law they are easily seen as rebels, and heroes.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Paul Ryan O’Connor, ed.
Steven S. Crompton, illus.
Flying Buffalo Inc., pub.
First Printing 1981
Digitally Remastered 2011
55 pages
Ryan’s Rating: 17 out of 20
MSRP 14.95
I’ve been into D&D 4th Edition for a while now, and while I have been thoroughly enjoying it, one thing that seems to be lacking are traps. D&D4e is great at tactical combat, but players can become a bit overconfident as they gain levels. Other systems (notably my favorites: Rifts and Silvervine) seem to have no traps at all! (at least, none detailed and statted out in their publications).
So, if you’re a DM, but you aren’t an incredibly inventive trap-maker, or if your group is getting a little cocky and you want to instill some paranoia, then Grimtooth’s Traps is for you! Continue reading »
Looking for something scary? Something a little silly? Something that combines RPG’s and horror movie fun? Check out Horror Show – but before you do, listen to my review! Hit Play below!
Get it from DriveThruRPG!
