[RPG]: H2: Thunderspire Labyrinth, reviewed by Gaffa (4/4)

[RPGnet Reviews]

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13899.phtml

David R. Henry's Summary:

Old-school dungeoneering returns in 4.0.

Go to the full review (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13899.phtml) for more information.

[Beckett]

Nice review. I've only had the chance to read through Thunderspire Labyrinth once, and I've been pretty impressed. I thought Keep on the Shadowfell was a decent, basic dungeon crawl, and was expecting more of the same. Instead, we get this, which looks great.

I really like how the duregar have translated to 4E and I'm looking forward to using them. The skill challenges help demonstrate that these don't have to be all or nothing encounters. And I like how each of the random encounters can be a jumping off point for something bigger; no 1-3 giant rats or 1-4 goblins here!

I think my only complaint would be the inclusion of just one poster map. It's so much nicer to just lay down a poster instead of trying to draw some location on my battlemat.

[capnzapp]

I would say this review is great in showing exactly where 4E is heading.

I mean, this reads like somebody high on magic mushrooms would write.

Don't get me wrong - the review is hilarious and well-written, but probably not for the reasons the designers of the adventure would have liked...

[Miskatonic]

OMG! This sounds awesome. Thanks for the review.

[Booberry]

I would say this review is great in showing exactly where 4E is heading.

I mean, this reads like somebody high on magic mushrooms would write.

Don't get me wrong - the review is hilarious and well-written, but probably not for the reasons the designers of the adventure would have liked...

What are you saying, exactly? Are you saying the reviewer is high on magic mushrooms or the module's writers are? Because if it's the former, then you owe Gaffa an apology, and if it's the latter, then maybe you should read the module yourself before you insult it.

If you want to see a module that reads like it was written while the author was tripping, check out S1: Tomb of Horrors.

[Bolongo]

First impression on picking the module up:
"Wow, they're really into this brown-on-brown color scheme, aren't they? Are the next 7 in the series going to look like this as well?"

I find myself nodding in agreement with most of this review.

To me, the problem with the initial encounter isn't so much that it's off the main path - the description does account for leading the party there - it's that on the map it's drawn as being off the wrong path.

Also, I'm left wondering what actually happens if Maldrick completes his ritual. :confused:

[Tori Bergquist]

I mean, this reads like somebody high on magic mushrooms would write.


Haven't been gaming long, have you?

This module reminds me of the kind of stuff that was pretty regular in adventures fro AD&D back in the eighties....it's a nice "trip" back to a cooler and more interesting period, with a 2008 face lift. Probably the first time in ages I'll run a published module, just because it has so many interesting ideas in it.

Excellent review, by the way! You summarized and captured the weird and interesting character of this module very well.

[Miskatonic]

I mean, this reads like somebody high on magic mushrooms would write.

Cool! You know, this is exactly what I want in a D&D module... weird, surreal, WTF moments that everyone will remember for years.

[capnzapp]

What are you saying, exactly? Are you saying the reviewer is high on magic mushrooms or the module's writers are? Because if it's the former, then you owe Gaffa an apology, and if it's the latter, then maybe you should read the module yourself before you insult it.

If you want to see a module that reads like it was written while the author was tripping, check out S1: Tomb of Horrors.
Sorry 'bout that. The writers, not the reviewer.

And I meant the review made me think this, so reading it myself won't probably be as much fun. ;)

Even if this module doesn't come close to S1 in hallucinatory powers, I'm amazed Wizards have taken the path that apparently leads there...