The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Ars Magica is not a game you are going to give to your 10 year old nephew in hopes of interesting him in role-playing games. While the setting is rich in background and flavor, the rulebook is not the most user-friendly one out there. Even experienced gamers are going to have to read the rules a few times to ensure that they "get it".

Enter "Return of the Stormrider", a "Jumpstart Kit". The idea is quite simple and elegant - give a beginning GM all the information he needs in a condensed form that won't take away from the beauty of the ars Magica system. In this book a GM will find a ready to run adventure, fully developed characters and a nice set of condensed rules. With minimal work a GM will be ready to go.

This is a good place to start for those interested in the Ars Magica system or who want to have more streamlined game mechanics their first few times out.

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

Return of the Stormrider
Author: J.D. Wiker Category: game Company/Publisher: Atlas Games Cost: $14.95 Page count: 64 ISBN: 1-887801-66-9 Capsule Review by Tomas J Skucas on 06/09/98. Genre tags: none	Ars Magica is not a game you are going to give to your 10 year old nephew in hopes of interesting him in role-playing games. While the setting is rich in background and flavor, the rulebook is not the most user-friendly one out there. Even experienced gamers are going to have to read the rules a few times to ensure that they "get it". Enter "Return of the Stormrider", a "Jumpstart Kit". The idea is quite simple and elegant - give a beginning GM all the information he needs in a condensed form that won't take away from the beauty of the ars Magica system. In this book a GM will find a ready to run adventure, fully developed characters and a nice set of condensed rules. With minimal work a GM will be ready to go. This is a good place to start for those interested in the Ars Magica system or who want to have more streamlined game mechanics their first few times out. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)