The Inside Scoop on Gaming

"Life on Terra Nova" is a good book. It's within shouting distance of being perfect, even. The world is fairly well detailed in nearly every aspect. Culture, family, fashion, religion and food get described along with the flora, fauna, and agora typically listed in game worlds.

Never before have I seen a setting so completely done. LoTN even has regional culinary favorites (and the recipes would be useful if I could find a substitute for johar root). So much detail has been included that one is overwhelmed. Care has been taken to make each region interesting and human. That is no small feat when one considers how often such books turn into collections of stereotypes divided up and called nations. Certainly some regional residents have common characteristics, but those traits aren't overwhelming or unbelievable.

The art is superb. Rendered in color and printed in black and white, each of the many pieces is full of depth and detail not commonly found in game books. Pierre Ouelette's art direction imbued LoTN with a professional quality that is usually lacking in role playing supplements. Every piece serves a purpose and adds to the feel of the setting. The consistency of quality and style set it apart. One thing--in addition to less-than-stellar copy editing--nags at me as I read and re-read LoTN. There is something missing that required two days of consideration to identify. Life on Terra Nova is much like life on Earth. Too much so. The missing element was strong intrigue, threat and mystery. Double-dealing politicians and national tensions are interesting enough to read about, but too common to add much paranoia and strife to a game. The planet doesn't feel ancient and mysterious. If I run a game set here, there will be a Great Old One under the Pacifica Range.

Still, "Life on Terra Nova" is the most professionally done sourcebook I have ever seen. Even those who don't play Heavy Gear (I certainly don't) should consider getting a copy. LoTN is a polished gem of a setting. Any gamemaster who runs science fiction games should have a copy on the shelf for those times when the party is heading off to a planet that is more than just a spaceport. Besides, the yellow and black spine looks neat on the shelf.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Life On Terra Nova
Author: Gene Marcil Category: game Company/Publisher: Dream Pod 9 Cost: $22.95 Page count: 160 ISBN: 1-896776-00-0 Capsule Review by C.H. Gallant on 03/17/98. Genre tags: none	"Life on Terra Nova" is a good book. It's within shouting distance of being perfect, even. The world is fairly well detailed in nearly every aspect. Culture, family, fashion, religion and food get described along with the flora, fauna, and agora typically listed in game worlds. Never before have I seen a setting so completely done. LoTN even has regional culinary favorites (and the recipes would be useful if I could find a substitute for johar root). So much detail has been included that one is overwhelmed. Care has been taken to make each region interesting and human. That is no small feat when one considers how often such books turn into collections of stereotypes divided up and called nations. Certainly some regional residents have common characteristics, but those traits aren't overwhelming or unbelievable. The art is superb. Rendered in color and printed in black and white, each of the many pieces is full of depth and detail not commonly found in game books. Pierre Ouelette's art direction imbued LoTN with a professional quality that is usually lacking in role playing supplements. Every piece serves a purpose and adds to the feel of the setting. The consistency of quality and style set it apart. One thing--in addition to less-than-stellar copy editing--nags at me as I read and re-read LoTN. There is something missing that required two days of consideration to identify. Life on Terra Nova is much like life on Earth. Too much so. The missing element was strong intrigue, threat and mystery. Double-dealing politicians and national tensions are interesting enough to read about, but too common to add much paranoia and strife to a game. The planet doesn't feel ancient and mysterious. If I run a game set here, there will be a Great Old One under the Pacifica Range. Still, "Life on Terra Nova" is the most professionally done sourcebook I have ever seen. Even those who don't play Heavy Gear (I certainly don't) should consider getting a copy. LoTN is a polished gem of a setting. Any gamemaster who runs science fiction games should have a copy on the shelf for those times when the party is heading off to a planet that is more than just a spaceport. Besides, the yellow and black spine looks neat on the shelf. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Life On Terra Nova