The Star Compendium is the 2502 update for the Verge. It contains information on new systems,and outposts along with updated information on Vieron and Tychus, Plus it has an updated map of the Verge.

This book is worth the $21.95 cover charge. The book is in the same format as the Drive Space campaign book, so it should make navigation through the book easy. Each Chapter covers a Star System or oupost along with an adventure hook to get the PCs involved with each place of intrest. Some higlights are the Dewi System, which is the exiled home for the remnants of the Dreth Commonwealth that was destroyed during the Second Galactic War, or Eldala home to the alien Edanweir, which can also be played as PCs.

The updated information on Tychus and Vieron is welcome not only because my adventures are currently taking place there, but now the Kroath have invaded Vieron and have successfully conquered territory in Vieron, another new development in the External Conspiracy. Also for your money all the artwork in color, which is a sign of the importance TSR put on this supplement. The quality of the artwork varies but the "3D" images of the Stoneburners site were very pleasing.

My only gripe about this supplement is that many of the locations presented in this book "just happened" to be there. What I mean is that systems like Dewi have been colonized for hundreds of years, everyone knew about it but yet it never appeared in a previous supplement, story, or even a star chart. With that my only complaint the Star Compendium is an obvious must have.

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