The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a fan of the X-files, Millenium, Lovecraft and conspiracy theories. However, I don't play a lot of Call of Cthulhu and money is short. So I was torn a bit about buying DELTA GREEN, the newest Call of Cthulhu supplement from Pagan Publishing. I need not have worried.

DELTA GREEN is a 300+ page softcover book with a full color cover and black & white interiors. Interior text is in a double column format with generous margins, and is very readable. The art has a consistent tone to it, which enhances the mood and works well. While none of the pieces stood out for me, the whole of the work is quite good.

A quick scan through will reveal the sheer amount of writing in this book. This is not a case of a lot of pictures with a few words breaking them up. There is a lot of stuff in here, and the size is fully justified. Even better, the writing is good and you get a lot for the dollar.

The premise of DELTA GREEN is fully integrated into the Cthulhu world, and it is surprising how well it fits. The Player Characters take the role of government employees working in various Federal Agencies (primarily law enforcement). They use their power and influence to investigate supernatural and alien phenomena, and to battle the forces behind them. All this is done under the umbrella of the illegal DELTA GREEN conspiracy.

Countering DELTA GREEN are the Majestic Group (a rival government conspiracy), Karotechia (aging Nazi occultists) and the various alien/Mythos horrors out there. The concept works very well. The Player Characters are given a reason to work together, have access to powerful resources (but limited by the illegal nature of their work), and have a reason to adventure past the first encounter. These are three things Cthulhu roleplaying has been missing in the past (for me, at least), but no longer.

However, there are elements of DELTA GREEN that might give you pause. For one, the explanation for the Alien threat (the Greys) is fully tied into the Cthulhu Mythos, which could be a disappointment for some. Also, The Fate (a mystical cult-like Criminal Organization) may strike others as being of limited use. Finally, there are some elements of the Cthulhu Mythos that are dealt with by dismissal.

I ended up reading DELTA GREEN all the way through in two sittings, and found it sparked many ideas for adventures and campaigns. I even found elements for use in my Feng Shui campaign, which was a pleasant surprise. With a bit of work, you could move the premise of DELTA GREEN over into a Conspiracy X campaign, or any modern day campaign. Overall and in the details, I am ecstatically happy with DELTA GREEN.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

DELTA GREEN
Author: Dennis Detwiller, Adam Scott Glancy, John Tynes Category: game Company/Publisher: Pagan Publishing Reviewed by Jason Langlois on 03/21/97. Genre tags: none	Let me preface this review by saying that I am a fan of the X-files, Millenium, Lovecraft and conspiracy theories. However, I don't play a lot of Call of Cthulhu and money is short. So I was torn a bit about buying DELTA GREEN, the newest Call of Cthulhu supplement from Pagan Publishing. I need not have worried. DELTA GREEN is a 300+ page softcover book with a full color cover and black & white interiors. Interior text is in a double column format with generous margins, and is very readable. The art has a consistent tone to it, which enhances the mood and works well. While none of the pieces stood out for me, the whole of the work is quite good. A quick scan through will reveal the sheer amount of writing in this book. This is not a case of a lot of pictures with a few words breaking them up. There is a lot of stuff in here, and the size is fully justified. Even better, the writing is good and you get a lot for the dollar. The premise of DELTA GREEN is fully integrated into the Cthulhu world, and it is surprising how well it fits. The Player Characters take the role of government employees working in various Federal Agencies (primarily law enforcement). They use their power and influence to investigate supernatural and alien phenomena, and to battle the forces behind them. All this is done under the umbrella of the illegal DELTA GREEN conspiracy. Countering DELTA GREEN are the Majestic Group (a rival government conspiracy), Karotechia (aging Nazi occultists) and the various alien/Mythos horrors out there. The concept works very well. The Player Characters are given a reason to work together, have access to powerful resources (but limited by the illegal nature of their work), and have a reason to adventure past the first encounter. These are three things Cthulhu roleplaying has been missing in the past (for me, at least), but no longer. However, there are elements of DELTA GREEN that might give you pause. For one, the explanation for the Alien threat (the Greys) is fully tied into the Cthulhu Mythos, which could be a disappointment for some. Also, The Fate (a mystical cult-like Criminal Organization) may strike others as being of limited use. Finally, there are some elements of the Cthulhu Mythos that are dealt with by dismissal. I ended up reading DELTA GREEN all the way through in two sittings, and found it sparked many ideas for adventures and campaigns. I even found elements for use in my Feng Shui campaign, which was a pleasant surprise. With a bit of work, you could move the premise of DELTA GREEN over into a Conspiracy X campaign, or any modern day campaign. Overall and in the details, I am ecstatically happy with DELTA GREEN. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)