Review of Northern Guard

I think we've made a mistake here chief. Normally, I review Role-playing books (and, let me tell you, I love it. Hooo, boy, but it's a blast! And thanks for lending me that money, too). But this latest book from Dream Pod 9 seems to be kinda hinky. [Editor's note: you forgot a 'k' with that last word? Anyways, I just mails them as you asks for them.]

You see, it's a sourcebook (or rather, Tactical Supplement) for their Heavy Gear Tactical game. The thing is... Well... You see... I... Uh... I don't PLAY the Heavy Gear tactical game. Ya see.

Not that it isn't a very interesting book. I mean, even for a simple role-player like me, whose attention level is so shot by years of TV by the time the minis are set up I've wandered to the next table, this book had a lot of info.

(There was one small quibble I saw with it. In a number of sequences, the word 'compagnie' was used. Is that French that got put in by a Quebecois word processor, or just the lingua of the Northern guys?)

It was full of info. The flavour text at the beginning of each chapter seemed way out of place for a wargame. More Saving Private Ryan than The Green Berets.

Of course, the bulk of it, which consists of Army lists for the tactical game, could have been written in Greek. The difference would have been miniscule. The stuff on Army life (The Fine Art of Cooking, indeed) is nice, as is the information on organization of the forces, and explanation on how Gears fit into it.

And, okay, they do include a few RPG characters, and some guns, and badges and stuff. I just feel like I had a box of pads delivered to my house. Sure, they're neat, but what am I gonna DO with them? At least I can use pads for wound dressing, eh?

Thanks for the book,

Justin Mohareb

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