The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Games are like software. They require regular upgrading if they are to remain competative. This book is proof of that truism, and I hope that White Wolf revises this product as soon as their schedule allows.

The first problem is that this is a Werewolf 1.0 product. All Reknown is in that horrific numerical notation, part of the information within is invalid due to later products, and the compatability with Werewolf 2.0 is difficult at best.

It doesn't help that half of the places described within the book are not places that PCs, let alone players, want to go. Storytellers will have to drag 'em kicking and screaming, or just plain railroad them, and this is not good for gamers everywhere. Nor does it help that the descriptions contradict later products, inside and outside Werewolf's product line. (Malfaes, for instance.)

Avoid this book. If you need a cosmology book, use the Mage version until a new Werewolf book hits the stand. You'll be better off in the long run.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 2 (Sparse)

Umbra: The Velvet Shadow
Author: Dan Greenberg & Harry Heckel Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Game Studio Line: Werewolf- The Apocalypse Cost: $15 (US) Page count: 152 pages ISBN: 1-56504-076-7 Capsule Review by Bradford C. Walker on 05/08/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Modern_day Horror Conspiracy Gothic	Games are like software. They require regular upgrading if they are to remain competative. This book is proof of that truism, and I hope that White Wolf revises this product as soon as their schedule allows. The first problem is that this is a Werewolf 1.0 product. All Reknown is in that horrific numerical notation, part of the information within is invalid due to later products, and the compatability with Werewolf 2.0 is difficult at best. It doesn't help that half of the places described within the book are not places that PCs, let alone players, want to go. Storytellers will have to drag 'em kicking and screaming, or just plain railroad them, and this is not good for gamers everywhere. Nor does it help that the descriptions contradict later products, inside and outside Werewolf's product line. (Malfaes, for instance.) Avoid this book. If you need a cosmology book, use the Mage version until a new Werewolf book hits the stand. You'll be better off in the long run. Style: 2 (Needs Work) Substance: 2 (Sparse)

Umbra: The Velvet Shadow