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The first thing that struck me about this product was the warning on page one, stating that the game was based on the supernatural and contained violence. I'm not sure how much this is a warning for parents or a marketing ploy to attract buyers.

The first 30 pages describe the setting. A description of what Nightspawn are is provided as well as their history and an intro to the Nightlands. Basically on what is referred to as the "Dark Day" a dimensional door was opened between the Nightlands and our universe. Since then people who thought they were human have been showing more traits of their true origin, Nightspawn. Likewise, the evil entities of the Nightlands have been infiltrating society at all levels and eventually taking control.

The nature of Nightspawn allows them to account for legends of demons, werewolves, goblins and the like. Vampires exist as a separate threat to humanity and may actually be mutually threatened allies against the denizens of the Nightland. The different factions of humans, nightspawn, vampires and the like are described in detail as well.

The next 40 pages are dedicated to the Palladium rpg system. Same as it ever was, a power gamers dream. 40 more pages describe character types, OCCs and RCCs (sp?). A catalog of creatures, vampires, nightland beings and such fills the next 50 pages. As usual with Palladium products, the art is striking, appropriate, horrifying and graphic. Notes are provided on using Nightbane with Palladiums other games: Beyond the Supernatural, their fantasy rpg, Recon and Rifts. The last section, in my opinion is the best, is 30 pages of weapons and equipment that is detailed enough to use with any Palladium or like stat-ed game (AD&D, V&V, Psi World, XXVc, Gamma World and many others).

Although it is a superb game that is well written and edited, I find it tainted by Palladiums Ronco-like proliferation of its rpg system. It is really another derivative of some other game (like Rifts is to Torg, and their frpg is to AD&D, After the Bomb is to Gamma World, Heroes Unlimited is to Champions), White Wolf's World of Darkness in this case. How else do you explain the odd addition of vampires as a sidecar to the setting? (Only Mechanoid Invasion stands out as a truly original Palladium setting).

The nightspawn are interesting, human yet not human. The interdimensional invasion has been done before but that's OK. The nightlands get a bit silly especially the access through mirrors. All in all, it is a good game, as playable as any Palladium product.

Get it if you play their games and want to do the "World of Darkness" thing without having to learn new rules. Otherwise there is little originality to interest players of other horror games.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 3 (Average)

Nightbane
Author: C.J. Carella Category: game Company/Publisher: Palladium Line: Nightbane Cost: $19.95 Page count: 240 Capsule Review by Papyrus on 06/10/99. Genre tags: Horror Vampire Gothic	The first thing that struck me about this product was the warning on page one, stating that the game was based on the supernatural and contained violence. I'm not sure how much this is a warning for parents or a marketing ploy to attract buyers. The first 30 pages describe the setting. A description of what Nightspawn are is provided as well as their history and an intro to the Nightlands. Basically on what is referred to as the "Dark Day" a dimensional door was opened between the Nightlands and our universe. Since then people who thought they were human have been showing more traits of their true origin, Nightspawn. Likewise, the evil entities of the Nightlands have been infiltrating society at all levels and eventually taking control. The nature of Nightspawn allows them to account for legends of demons, werewolves, goblins and the like. Vampires exist as a separate threat to humanity and may actually be mutually threatened allies against the denizens of the Nightland. The different factions of humans, nightspawn, vampires and the like are described in detail as well. The next 40 pages are dedicated to the Palladium rpg system. Same as it ever was, a power gamers dream. 40 more pages describe character types, OCCs and RCCs (sp?). A catalog of creatures, vampires, nightland beings and such fills the next 50 pages. As usual with Palladium products, the art is striking, appropriate, horrifying and graphic. Notes are provided on using Nightbane with Palladiums other games: Beyond the Supernatural, their fantasy rpg, Recon and Rifts. The last section, in my opinion is the best, is 30 pages of weapons and equipment that is detailed enough to use with any Palladium or like stat-ed game (AD&D, V&V, Psi World, XXVc, Gamma World and many others). Although it is a superb game that is well written and edited, I find it tainted by Palladiums Ronco-like proliferation of its rpg system. It is really another derivative of some other game (like Rifts is to Torg, and their frpg is to AD&D, After the Bomb is to Gamma World, Heroes Unlimited is to Champions), White Wolf's World of Darkness in this case. How else do you explain the odd addition of vampires as a sidecar to the setting? (Only Mechanoid Invasion stands out as a truly original Palladium setting). The nightspawn are interesting, human yet not human. The interdimensional invasion has been done before but that's OK. The nightlands get a bit silly especially the access through mirrors. All in all, it is a good game, as playable as any Palladium product. Get it if you play their games and want to do the "World of Darkness" thing without having to learn new rules. Otherwise there is little originality to interest players of other horror games. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 3 (Average)