Run out the Guns is a game set in the golden age of piracy. I have seen other such games in the past and have not been impresed and the fact that the box claimed it was an expansion for Role Master made me even less sanquine. However when I got to see a copy I was very impressed. The game is complete as it stands or you can use Role Master to make more developed characters.

The amount of detail in the game is amazing. I am not usually a detail freak, I think marking off two copper pieces for a character who has tens of thousands of gold is just stupid. But the detail in this game is needeed because many people may not know what the positions and responsibilities of a pirate ship or any sailing ship are. And the neccessity of keeping up with ships stores including different types of food seemed excessive until I realized that this meant a cheese or a cask of dried peas can suddenly become a significant treasure, aned the book keeping requirements are not excessive.

Best of all the rules are in several independent sections so that those you do not like can be ignored or replaced. The box contains maps, a character book, a book of ships officers and duties, a player's guide a referee's guide and dice. The rules can be kept simple so as not to get in the way of role playing or made more complex depending on taste. All told I have been very impressed by this game and recommend it to anyone with an interest in Pirateing.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)