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As an aside, I got this in a package deal offered by Avalon Hill, but that deal doesn't appear to be still available.

Octopussy is an adventure for the James Bond RPG, although it can be adapted to other systems. It includes the 48 page adventure and a packet of full-color player handouts. It is based on the 007 movie of the same name, but includes enough differences that players who have seen the movie will still be challenged.

The plot of the adventure revolves around the PCs following a famous jewel to India, then discovering a secret plan of the villains. It has a good "flow" and the requisite plot twists which should keep the PCs tense for most of the adventure. In addition, Octopussy follows logical premises, so, even though it has some railroading, the PCs probably won't become aware of that fact.

Most characters in James Bond movies are stereotypes, and the adventure follows these stereotypes, from the spoiled-rotten Octopussy to the suave, mysterious villain. The characterizations aren't bad, though, and the colorful variety of NPCs in the adventure makes up for the use of stereotypes.

The art in the adventure is passable, with a few good pieces mixed among many decent ones. Most of the adventure handouts look nice and add to the adventure, but a few--particularly the one with bloodstains, look silly. The map handout does appear fairly helpful. The game also includes a "GM's screen" with pictures of the main characters on it that are pretty, but have no real value. In the middle of the 48 page booklet, all the tables and maps are collected, which makes running the game easier.

The Octopussy adventure is well worth the money. Taking the PCs through a series of exotic locations, the PCs will often think they know what's going on...but they don't. Octopussy has several memorable scenes, along with a good sense of pacing and lots of color. It adds just enough meat to the action to keep the adventure from seeming flimsy or simple. However, it does involve some railroading, and the art isn't wonderful.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Octopussy
Author: Neil Randall Category: game Company/Publisher: Victory Games, Inc. Cost: approx $8.00 Page count: 48 Handouts Capsule Review by Andy Wills on 12/10/98. Genre tags: Modern_day Espionage	As an aside, I got this in a package deal offered by Avalon Hill, but that deal doesn't appear to be still available. Octopussy is an adventure for the James Bond RPG, although it can be adapted to other systems. It includes the 48 page adventure and a packet of full-color player handouts. It is based on the 007 movie of the same name, but includes enough differences that players who have seen the movie will still be challenged. The plot of the adventure revolves around the PCs following a famous jewel to India, then discovering a secret plan of the villains. It has a good "flow" and the requisite plot twists which should keep the PCs tense for most of the adventure. In addition, Octopussy follows logical premises, so, even though it has some railroading, the PCs probably won't become aware of that fact. Most characters in James Bond movies are stereotypes, and the adventure follows these stereotypes, from the spoiled-rotten Octopussy to the suave, mysterious villain. The characterizations aren't bad, though, and the colorful variety of NPCs in the adventure makes up for the use of stereotypes. The art in the adventure is passable, with a few good pieces mixed among many decent ones. Most of the adventure handouts look nice and add to the adventure, but a few--particularly the one with bloodstains, look silly. The map handout does appear fairly helpful. The game also includes a "GM's screen" with pictures of the main characters on it that are pretty, but have no real value. In the middle of the 48 page booklet, all the tables and maps are collected, which makes running the game easier. The Octopussy adventure is well worth the money. Taking the PCs through a series of exotic locations, the PCs will often think they know what's going on...but they don't. Octopussy has several memorable scenes, along with a good sense of pacing and lots of color. It adds just enough meat to the action to keep the adventure from seeming flimsy or simple. However, it does involve some railroading, and the art isn't wonderful. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)