Author Topic: Review Update/Explanation Thread  (Read 2446 times)

Offline Libertad

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Review Update/Explanation Thread
« on: April 06, 2015, 06:02:22 PM »
Hello folks. Way back in late 2013 I took up writing reviews of various D20 products.  While they started at Min-Max, I posted them elsewhere and a few became quite popular. My Spears in the Dawn review is literally the 3rd result on Google below the Drive-Thru RPG product page and KickStarter (although on GiantITP instead of Min-Max).

But in recent months, I bit off more than I could chew.  A combination on writing for existing work, personal issues, and the last two big reviews (Ptolus and Key of Destiny) being such big projects overwhelmed me.

Even then, I really am proud of the work I did for them, especially for Spears of the Dawn.

I did want to go back to Path of War, but I kind of worried that my review was at once too wordy and yet not informative enough.  Especially for the maneuvers, I felt like I was just listing what they did instead of examining the underlying mechanics and how they might interact, which kind of killed my enthusiasm for the review.

This interesting thread on Paizo talked about how reviews are great for exposure of products, and there are definitely a few books which can use some more love.  My recent blog posts on interesting finds in 3rd party material definitely show that there's neat stuff still out there waiting to be found.

Part of it is that there are a lot of 3rd party products out there which have neat ideas and are still sadly overlooked.  I wonder if sticking to wiping out short reviews of mini-sourcebooks is optimal, like I used to do, but on the other hand I do feel passionate about things such as Path of War and Spears.  I find it easiest to review when I'm talking about a book I love instead of one I don't have strong feelings for or even hate.

I could try brief product capsule overviews, but those tend to feel too brief.

But enough musing, what I'm trying to say is that I might go back to reviews, but I may try covering small mini-sourcebooks first and see how that effects my weekly schedule now that I'm a lot more busy.

Rule Zero: Underlings is probably going to be my next review.  I've been using it for my current Pathfinder campaign, and it's been a life-saver for GM prep work.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 02:53:36 PM by Libertad »

Offline Libertad

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Re: An Explanation/Update on old reviews
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2015, 02:52:08 PM »
So now I finished writing Path of Shadows, and considering what to do once I finish Path of War.

There are several D20 and Pathfinder products I'd like to highlight in the future, and probably some World of Darkness books too.

So I noticed that products I feel excited about or are notable are easier to review, so I made a list here of ones which interest me.  I won't touch them until I finish Path of War, but these are a taste of things to come.

D20/Pathfinder

Deep Magic: A very popular Pathfinder book full of not just new magic, but new subsystems, magical schools, etc.  Made as a collaboration between D&D industry veterans such as Ed Greenwood, Margaret Weis, Wolfgang Baur, and others.

Genius Guide to the Godling: By Super Genius Games, this is a toolbox sort of class where the character claims descent from a deity.  They have a list of mystic powers to choose from much like rogue talents which grant them powers based upon certain divine portfolios.  Is actually 4 classes: Mighty Godling, Clever Godling, Eldritch Godling, and Mystic Godling.

Heroes of Thornwall: By Mechanical Muse.  Meant to serve as a campaign starter, the author is confident enough in his project to release the PDF for free.  It is a sort of mini-setting where the PCs are 1st-level folk just beginning to take up the mantle of adventurer, and promises mechanics for establishing community ties with the hometown.

In the Company of Dragons: By Rite Publishing.  An honest-to-God 1st to 20th level monster class where you play as a literal dragon, breath weapons and size categories and all.

Maximum Xcrawl: Powered by Pathfinder: An alternate earth where magic, elves, etc are real, and adventurers compete in televised gladiator matches/obstacle course dungeons for cash and fame!

New Paths Compendium: By Kobold Press.  A collection of new classes, archetypes, spells, and feats.  Many of them are popular picks, from the benevolent white necromancer (a personal favorite of mine) to the spell-less ranger.

Parsantium: City at the Crossroads: A relatively system-less setting book for a fantasy counterpart Constantinople.  Helped serve as an inspiration for my Arcana High game, and combines many tropes in interesting ways.  Nordic imperial bodyguards, gnoll mercenaries, lotus-chewing mystics, and a Roman-style gladiatorial Colosseum are but a few interesting features.

Ponyfinder Campaign Setting: One of the most popular Pathfinder campaign settings, this book's actually pretty neat.  Equine fey are the dominant race, not humans, and magical wonders are commonplace.

Primeval Thule: A setting by several WotC veterans designed for Pathfinder, 13th Age, and 4th Edition D&D (I own the PF version).  Derives inspiration from sword and sorcery novels, and the culture and technology level is set at a definite ancient world age.  Divine spellcasters go not gain their powers from the gods but instead the inner circles of mystery cults.  Bronze is king, and iron arms and armor is so precious they're treated as a magic equipment in some game versions.

The Red Dragon Inn: Guide to Inns and Taverns: With detailed rules for cooking and food preparation, inn maintenance, etc, this is pretty much Sims Fantasy Tavern for Pathfinder.  I have a sort of half-game going on utilizing the rules from this book, so I do have a little bit of play experience with this one.

You're Gonna Die Screaming: An optimization guide for the Commoner NPC Class.

World of Darkness

Vampire the Requiem 2nd Edition: Back in 2013 Onyx Path (the successor to White Wolf) did a major update on the Old and New World of Darkness lines, and Vampire the Requiem was one of the first.  In addition to tackling several major mechanical fumbles of the previous game, along with a pseudo-setting update, I'm really liking what I'm seeing.

Damnation City: Although made for the Vampire line, it's good enough to serve as a generic city-building book for just about any RPG, particularly gothic/urban fantasy/horror ones.  It was around this book that Vampire the Requiem really came into its own to distinguish itself from the older Masquerade setting.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2015, 05:47:48 PM by Libertad »

Offline Libertad

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Re: Review Update/Explanation Thread
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2015, 05:31:46 PM »
I'm sorry, after a month-long delay from my last Red Dragon Inn post, I don't think I have it in me anymore to continue reviewing the way I do.  I might stick to more traditional, shorter reviews from now on.

It was fun while it lasted, though, and I'm happy I was able to show off some good work.

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Review Update/Explanation Thread
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2015, 05:51:52 PM »
Quote from: Libertad


... Only wants the Temmie Flakes ...


Wat dat ??
I can't tell whether my kitty avatar's Tail should be hungry or twitchy.
Your codpiece is a mimic.

Offline Libertad

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Re: Review Update/Explanation Thread
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2015, 09:35:06 PM »
Quote from: Libertad


... Only wants the Temmie Flakes ...


Wat dat ??
I can't tell whether my kitty avatar's Tail should be hungry or twitchy.

It's a reference to Temmie, a monster from Undertale who loves to eat a delicious meal bearing her name.