Review of Field Guide to Monsters, Vol. 2: The M-Force Update

This follow-up to the Vol. 1 field guide shares the same physical traits with some format changes and improvements. Although it is still a staple bound, digest sized booklet, the internal art is improved to the comic art level found on the covers of Vol. 1 and 2. Again, the monster stats and GM notes are provided as a pullout section so that the text can act as a player resource and game prop. Instead of being organized around types, the creatures are presented in alphabetical order. The text for each critter is divided into subjects sort of like the AD&D2 Monstrous Compendium pages: Description, Lifespan, Haunts & Habitats, Ecology/Lifestyle, Detection, Vulnerabilities, and Notes. With the larger and improved graphics, this format is much more appealing for reference purposes.

M-Force updates the genre presented in the 1800's centered Vol. 1, by concerning itself with the government's monster hunting agency (M-Force) in the 21st century. Werewolves and vampires make a repeat appearance as do the Vermis Imitor, now simply referred to as Slugs. The remaining 10 creatures are an interesting collection of modernized folklore and modern B movie horrors. Classics include the Filipino vampiresses who separate from their bodies to feed, and the phoenix whose mating practices have been known to create massive firestorms.

B movie candidates include creatures that feed on children's emotions, until they're big enough to feed on people directly. Giants composed of genetically engineered grain provide another type of terror. Another challenge is a rabies virus that causes infected animals to become violent, steroid boosted, killing machines. The remainder includes cute little voracious pack hunters and an aquatic race of monsters that seems to exist only to protect the river they live in from harm.

As in Vol. 1, monster hunters are given all they need to identify and deal with each type of being. Rumors and theories are provided for flavor but the facts are presented with authority. As a resource for X-files or Nightstalker type games, I have seen much worse for much more money. For $3 more than Vol. 1., you get 11 more pages, about double the cost for 1/3 more stuff. That still makes these neat little books difficult to recommend although this book has more originality than the first and is presented in a better format. If you play Hex Games games, then do not hesitate. If you are a junky for the monster-hunting genre, you've already got worse for more money in your collection. If you're anyone else, you should look before you purchase.