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Dragon Fist is a new free game from TSR distributed via the web in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF). The URL for the game is:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DF_Welcome.asp

The game is based on a new version of the AD&D rules (I've never played AD&D, so I can't really speak to how the new rules compare. I know they've changed how Armor Class (AC) works, but that's about it.

Taken from the Dragon Fist web page:

Dragon Fist™ is a game inspired by Hong Kong martial arts movies, especially those of the wuxia genre. This is a game of high-flying kung fu fighters, cackling eunuch sorcerers, weird hopping vampires, and awful demons who are dead only when they blow up. Realistic? Hell no! This is pure cinema. If you want a precise simulation of martial arts, look elsewhere. If you want to have a blast playing an action hero, Dragon Fist is for you.

I believe TSR is giving away this excellent game as a way to introduce people to the new system (AD&D 3?), but regardless of their reasons, this just might be the best free game (next to FUDGE) of all time.

Also taken from the Dragon Fist web page:

What the Hell is Wuxia?

Wuxia [wu-jha] is the Hong Kong name for martial arts films that combine kung fu with magic and other fantastic elements. It translates literally as "flying people" for the way that characters routinely defy gravity with mind-boggling leaps and magical flights. The director and producer Tsui Hark [choy-hok] is the man most associated with the popularity of this genre, and he is responsible for many of its classics: A Chinese Ghost Story, Swordsman II, Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain, and New Dragon Inn. Other good wuxia films include: The Bride with White Hair, The East is Red, Deadful Melody, The New Legend of Shaolin, and the excellent Burning Paradise. These films create a fantastical reality populated by heroic swordfighters, seductive ghosts, foul demons, and gender-bending villains. Any of them offer one wild ride and are ripe with roleplaying possibilities.

If you've never seen a wuxia film, don't despair. You've probably played one of the current crop of arcade fighting games; if so, you've got the right idea. Check out some of the movies mentioned above, if you can find Hong Kong films in your local video store. Otherwise, try John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China. This was inspired by Tsui Hark's film Zu and does a credible and fun job of translating HK action to the American screen.

The setting is richly detailed and character creation is quite easy. Again, any one who's playted AD&D should be able to jump right into this game and be up and running in minutes. People new to the game system (like me) weren't much behind.

This is a complete game, not just a worldbook. It's fast and furious and is highly cinematic. You could probably adapt it for use in other genres with just a little work.

I've been trying to come up with some way to fault this game. Since it's free, any complaints I might have (I think) are moot.

Download this game!

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Dragon Fist
Author: Chris Pramas Category: game Company/Publisher: TSR (WOTC) Line: AD&D Cost: free Page count: 128 Capsule Review by Lafe Bagley on 12/15/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Historical Asian/Far_East	Dragon Fist is a new free game from TSR distributed via the web in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF). The URL for the game is: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DF_Welcome.asp The game is based on a new version of the AD&D rules (I've never played AD&D, so I can't really speak to how the new rules compare. I know they've changed how Armor Class (AC) works, but that's about it. Taken from the Dragon Fist web page: Dragon Fist™ is a game inspired by Hong Kong martial arts movies, especially those of the wuxia genre. This is a game of high-flying kung fu fighters, cackling eunuch sorcerers, weird hopping vampires, and awful demons who are dead only when they blow up. Realistic? Hell no! This is pure cinema. If you want a precise simulation of martial arts, look elsewhere. If you want to have a blast playing an action hero, Dragon Fist is for you. I believe TSR is giving away this excellent game as a way to introduce people to the new system (AD&D 3?), but regardless of their reasons, this just might be the best free game (next to FUDGE) of all time. Also taken from the Dragon Fist web page: What the Hell is Wuxia? Wuxia [wu-jha] is the Hong Kong name for martial arts films that combine kung fu with magic and other fantastic elements. It translates literally as "flying people" for the way that characters routinely defy gravity with mind-boggling leaps and magical flights. The director and producer Tsui Hark [choy-hok] is the man most associated with the popularity of this genre, and he is responsible for many of its classics: A Chinese Ghost Story, Swordsman II, Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain, and New Dragon Inn. Other good wuxia films include: The Bride with White Hair, The East is Red, Deadful Melody, The New Legend of Shaolin, and the excellent Burning Paradise. These films create a fantastical reality populated by heroic swordfighters, seductive ghosts, foul demons, and gender-bending villains. Any of them offer one wild ride and are ripe with roleplaying possibilities. If you've never seen a wuxia film, don't despair. You've probably played one of the current crop of arcade fighting games; if so, you've got the right idea. Check out some of the movies mentioned above, if you can find Hong Kong films in your local video store. Otherwise, try John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China. This was inspired by Tsui Hark's film Zu and does a credible and fun job of translating HK action to the American screen. The setting is richly detailed and character creation is quite easy. Again, any one who's playted AD&D should be able to jump right into this game and be up and running in minutes. People new to the game system (like me) weren't much behind. This is a complete game, not just a worldbook. It's fast and furious and is highly cinematic. You could probably adapt it for use in other genres with just a little work. I've been trying to come up with some way to fault this game. Since it's free, any complaints I might have (I think) are moot. Download this game! Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)