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Ed. note: Saga was written by Dedman, and Phoenix by Pulver, correcting a slight misattribution in the original version of this review

The book describes two major sectors - the Saga sector (by Dedman), and the Phoenix sector (by Pulver). Each sector is independent, but the book provides brief notes on linking them. They each follow the same format. There is about 10 pages up front detailing the sectors connection to rest of the universe (with various options, depending on what the rest of the universe is like), the aliens, and some sample groups. Then there is two pages per planet. One had art and a description for the GM. The other is a handout for the players that looks like it came out of a computer database, with a (black, blue, and white) map and basic information.

A GURPS book by David Pulver. That's two huge recommendations in one sentence. Too bad it doesn't live up to that. Ironically enough, my prefered sector was written by Dedman. Ed. note: Strike that-- Pulver wrote Phoenix, and Dedman wrote Saga. Another dramatic irony discarded after the facts get reviewed.

Space Atlas 4 details two sectors realistically. The player handout is a nice idea and is well done. The maps have blue water - an unusual use of color by Steve Jackson Games, and not one found in some of the older Space Atlases. (Unfortunately, if you run them off on a photocopy machine, the blue will become black again.) The worlds seem well thought out individually. So why the low rating?

I have several problems with this book. First, the format is annoying. A mere two pages for each world, from the major worlds to the ones that are merely an adventure hook. And the page with GM's material has a large graphics block, sometimes filling half the page. Also, emphasis was put on the worlds, and not the groups that run things. Groups that the PC's might be a part off are barely described. (For example, Code of Honor: Yakuza is left undefined and without a point value.)

Secondly, my preferred science-fiction role-playing has lots of aliens in it. My ruling goverment is almost always multi-species. In Space Atlas 4, the aliens are to the side. The humans are seperated from the aliens, and mostly opposed to the aliens.

Thirdly, the sectors seemed too generic. This is good if you want to drag planets from it into your games, but if you want to use one of the sectors as a whole, it needs a lot of fleshing out. At times, they almost seemed bland.

I didn't really like this book. If you want to grab single worlds out for players, then it's a possibility. If you're looking for a setting, or even a large area to add to an existing setting, I wouldn't recommend it.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 2 (Sparse)

GURPS Space Atlas 4
Author: David Pulver & Stephen Dedman Category: game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Cost: $16.95 Page count: 128 ISBN: 1-55634-209-8 Capsule Review by David Starner on 06/12/98. Genre tags: none	Ed. note: Saga was written by Dedman, and Phoenix by Pulver, correcting a slight misattribution in the original version of this review The book describes two major sectors - the Saga sector (by Dedman), and the Phoenix sector (by Pulver). Each sector is independent, but the book provides brief notes on linking them. They each follow the same format. There is about 10 pages up front detailing the sectors connection to rest of the universe (with various options, depending on what the rest of the universe is like), the aliens, and some sample groups. Then there is two pages per planet. One had art and a description for the GM. The other is a handout for the players that looks like it came out of a computer database, with a (black, blue, and white) map and basic information. A GURPS book by David Pulver. That's two huge recommendations in one sentence. Too bad it doesn't live up to that. Ironically enough, my prefered sector was written by Dedman. Ed. note: Strike that-- Pulver wrote Phoenix, and Dedman wrote Saga. Another dramatic irony discarded after the facts get reviewed. Space Atlas 4 details two sectors realistically. The player handout is a nice idea and is well done. The maps have blue water - an unusual use of color by Steve Jackson Games, and not one found in some of the older Space Atlases. (Unfortunately, if you run them off on a photocopy machine, the blue will become black again.) The worlds seem well thought out individually. So why the low rating? I have several problems with this book. First, the format is annoying. A mere two pages for each world, from the major worlds to the ones that are merely an adventure hook. And the page with GM's material has a large graphics block, sometimes filling half the page. Also, emphasis was put on the worlds, and not the groups that run things. Groups that the PC's might be a part off are barely described. (For example, Code of Honor: Yakuza is left undefined and without a point value.) Secondly, my preferred science-fiction role-playing has lots of aliens in it. My ruling goverment is almost always multi-species. In Space Atlas 4, the aliens are to the side. The humans are seperated from the aliens, and mostly opposed to the aliens. Thirdly, the sectors seemed too generic. This is good if you want to drag planets from it into your games, but if you want to use one of the sectors as a whole, it needs a lot of fleshing out. At times, they almost seemed bland. I didn't really like this book. If you want to grab single worlds out for players, then it's a possibility. If you're looking for a setting, or even a large area to add to an existing setting, I wouldn't recommend it. Style: 2 (Needs Work) Substance: 2 (Sparse)

GURPS Space Atlas 4