The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Good ideas tend to get screwed when they are transferred onto paper sometimes, Lighthouse is such a work. Lighthouse is a detailed campaign expansion for the Star*Drive universe, that sets the political stage on the largest Starfalling Space Station in the Verge, the Lighthouse.

The ideas presented inside are plenty, and very inspiring. Much thinking has obviously went into the process of creating this wondrous space station. A Wayfarer, peace keeper and also a civilization bringer, the Lighthouse is much more than it appears to be at first sight.

Reading through, I have found that although the book says it is intended for players and gm's alike, it has too much information inside than what needs be revealed to the players for a good game. Inside are the most valueable secrets of the Lighthouse as a space station and of the important 'supporting cast' characters' personal affairs and political inclinations.

The Lighthouse's unique atmosphere allows a probably unmatched center to span and base a game on. It is both fixed and moving at the same time. The setting and figures stay the same as the Lighthouse roams through the verge, system after system, offering a very long and deeply complex, intrigue/political campaign as opposed to most action oriented Verge campaigns.

Yes, the ideas are good and plenty, but what makes this book 'not that good'? The way it is all presented. If Lighthouse is something, it surely isn't interesting. It is written from a very matter of fact point of view, lacking any creativity to it. The information is presented fact by fact and leaves something to be desired. It is almost impossible to take it and read it in one go since at one point the amount of straightforward data starts to black you out. The other drawbacks are that the art inside is incredibly ugly (as are most of the new Alternity releases), and the price is a little high in my opinion.

That said, if you are interested in running a neat political game, or if you just want to give your players a home in the verge, or just introduce something new to an ongoing campaign, Lighthouse is a very good choice to consider, since it offers many possibilities for a long or short campaign alike.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

The Lighthouse
Author: David Eckelberry Category: game Company/Publisher: TSR Inc. Cost: US $13.95 Page count: 64 and foldout cover. ISBN: 0-7869-1216-2 Capsule Review by Yalaz Ozkanli on 02/07/99. Genre tags: Science_fiction Far_Future	Good ideas tend to get screwed when they are transferred onto paper sometimes, Lighthouse is such a work. Lighthouse is a detailed campaign expansion for the Star*Drive universe, that sets the political stage on the largest Starfalling Space Station in the Verge, the Lighthouse. The ideas presented inside are plenty, and very inspiring. Much thinking has obviously went into the process of creating this wondrous space station. A Wayfarer, peace keeper and also a civilization bringer, the Lighthouse is much more than it appears to be at first sight. Reading through, I have found that although the book says it is intended for players and gm's alike, it has too much information inside than what needs be revealed to the players for a good game. Inside are the most valueable secrets of the Lighthouse as a space station and of the important 'supporting cast' characters' personal affairs and political inclinations. The Lighthouse's unique atmosphere allows a probably unmatched center to span and base a game on. It is both fixed and moving at the same time. The setting and figures stay the same as the Lighthouse roams through the verge, system after system, offering a very long and deeply complex, intrigue/political campaign as opposed to most action oriented Verge campaigns. Yes, the ideas are good and plenty, but what makes this book 'not that good'? The way it is all presented. If Lighthouse is something, it surely isn't interesting. It is written from a very matter of fact point of view, lacking any creativity to it. The information is presented fact by fact and leaves something to be desired. It is almost impossible to take it and read it in one go since at one point the amount of straightforward data starts to black you out. The other drawbacks are that the art inside is incredibly ugly (as are most of the new Alternity releases), and the price is a little high in my opinion. That said, if you are interested in running a neat political game, or if you just want to give your players a home in the verge, or just introduce something new to an ongoing campaign, Lighthouse is a very good choice to consider, since it offers many possibilities for a long or short campaign alike. Style: 2 (Needs Work) Substance: 4 (Meaty)