Post originally by Ian Thomson at 2004-02-25 13:19:22
Converted from Phorums BB System

Very fair review in parts, quite telling of the reviewer's bias and gaming style in others. As my first published book I'm checking out a few reviews, in fact reviewing them one might say. It amazes me that things some reviewers like others don't, showing that a lot of stuff is personal preference - and yet often they state their opinions as if they are fact. Weird.

Anyhow, the best advice is if you like DERPG go read my book in a shop and see if it suits your style of play and is useful to you. I'll also ask Pelgrane if they'll consider putting a sample chapter on site. Gaming Reviews are a good thing for a first look, but the same as with movie reviews, quite often the like/dislike/gaming-style of the reviewer really doesn't match that of the writer or review-reader and so presents a bias all of its own.

Only direct comment I'll make is on:
"This is something I see fairly often in role playing game supplements – “This is the most wicked thing that can ever be done and should never be attempted by player characters. In the meantime, here are comprehensive rules to cover the situation should it ever come up…”
I stenuously objected to including these rules, for exactly the reasons stated in the review. But was over-ruled by the company. Nonetheless, although inappropriate at Turjan-level they are only a page or so in the entire book and would be useful to anyone gaming at Rhialto-Level - or in an advanced Turjan-campaign. (This is mentioned in the book, but not commented on in the review.)

Ian