The Inside Scoop on Gaming

The future of roleplaying? Those publicity types really know how to write copy...this is NOT the future of roleplaying. This is a cute game, that could be a lot of fun. And it might just attract to roleplaying some of my friends who think I'm a nerd.

What does a roleplaying game consist of? Rules and Atmosphere.

Rules

Yes, the rules are much neater than previous editions, and are layed out well. Skills are much more important, and help to make character creation more flexible and creative. Combat and magic work well (over 100 pages of spells!). However some of the chapter introductions (notably Skills) confused me on first reading and could have been better written. The rule system works, and works fine. Creative DMs will ignore and change rules as they see fit (and as they have done for 20 years). Most importantly the rule system will not get in the way of playing. They are not realistic rules. They are suited to the genre of the game.

Atmosphere

The great strength of Dungeon's & Dragons, in the past, and in this edition, is the way it inspires imagination. I feel like there is little effort required on my behalf to bring life to the game. Character classes such as fighters, wizards and rogues do not impose stereotypes. They help define the flavour of the game. It is up the individual, and his or her imagination, to roleplay beyond stereotypes. Bringing back the barbarian, monk and half-orc (and introducing the Sorceror) only helps to bring life to the game. The layout is good, but the artwork made me feel, once again, that I was holding a product aimed for 12 year olds.

Conclusion

The future of roleplaying? Dungeons & Dragons Third Edidtion certainly hasn't rewritten the paradigm - why do I still feel that sometimes I am reading something written for 12 year olds? But importantly, I know I will play this game, because I love the genre, and because no other game evokes the flavour of fantasy like Dungeons & Dragons. The release of the third edition Player's Handbook gives new impetus to fantasy roleplaying.

By the way, I hated the cover.

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

Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook, 3rd Edition
Author: Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook and Skkp Williams Category: game Company/Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Line: D&D Cost: $20.00 Page count: 285 ISBN: 0-7869-1550-1 SKU: TSR11550 Capsule Review by Donal on 08/12/00. Genre tags: Fantasy	The future of roleplaying? Those publicity types really know how to write copy...this is NOT the future of roleplaying. This is a cute game, that could be a lot of fun. And it might just attract to roleplaying some of my friends who think I'm a nerd. What does a roleplaying game consist of? Rules and Atmosphere. Rules Yes, the rules are much neater than previous editions, and are layed out well. Skills are much more important, and help to make character creation more flexible and creative. Combat and magic work well (over 100 pages of spells!). However some of the chapter introductions (notably Skills) confused me on first reading and could have been better written. The rule system works, and works fine. Creative DMs will ignore and change rules as they see fit (and as they have done for 20 years). Most importantly the rule system will not get in the way of playing. They are not realistic rules. They are suited to the genre of the game. Atmosphere The great strength of Dungeon's & Dragons, in the past, and in this edition, is the way it inspires imagination. I feel like there is little effort required on my behalf to bring life to the game. Character classes such as fighters, wizards and rogues do not impose stereotypes. They help define the flavour of the game. It is up the individual, and his or her imagination, to roleplay beyond stereotypes. Bringing back the barbarian, monk and half-orc (and introducing the Sorceror) only helps to bring life to the game. The layout is good, but the artwork made me feel, once again, that I was holding a product aimed for 12 year olds. Conclusion The future of roleplaying? Dungeons & Dragons Third Edidtion certainly hasn't rewritten the paradigm - why do I still feel that sometimes I am reading something written for 12 year olds? But importantly, I know I will play this game, because I love the genre, and because no other game evokes the flavour of fantasy like Dungeons & Dragons. The release of the third edition Player's Handbook gives new impetus to fantasy roleplaying. By the way, I *hated* the cover. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 3 (Average)

Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook, 3rd Edition