Post originally by Kester Pelagius at 2004-08-10 12:22:08
Converted from Phorums BB System

Howdy,

You would be surprised how long it takes to read, and digest, the content of the average RPG. It's sort of like cabbage soup. It's got a whole heck of a lot of other stuff int here, not just cabbage. But if you make it right no one really notices the bits and pieces.

Though, reflecting now on the wording of my reply, I can see where one might get the wrong impression. So, in order to set matters straight, or at least alleviate any concerns that my comments might have erroneous left in the minds of readers such as yourself. . .

>>Am I reading this right?

You're saying that when you do a review you just skim the book without actually reading it thoroughly and then assume on the basis of your skim and your pre existing experience as a gamer that you're now ready to play the game?<<

No, I'm saying I approach reviews in a tiered fashion, beginning with INITIAL IMPRESSIONS. Not jumping head first into reading every word between the covers of a game.

"Initial impressions" are the FIRST thing I note about any thing I review, be it a DVD, RPG, or TV mini-series. Usually most of these "notation" comments don't make it into the final review as a further reading proves them either outright wrong or I find my brief glance had me jumping to the wrong conclusion, though sometimes I will make mention of what my initial impressions were. If only as an anecdotal reference.

What does that mean?

Well my comment was speaking to the fact Mr. Haag likely read the material in it's entirety and is solely commenting from that aspect. Nothing wrong with that, but that leads to one slipping into nostalgic reverie.

Going by this something like "Hercules Against the Moonmen", one might say, was not that bad a picture.

That's not what I do. I take notes, let them sit a while, come back and read the material more thoroughly, re-examine what I've written, and do my best to offer, what I hope, is a critical overview of the material.


>>Please tell me I've got it wrong.<<

Okay.

You've got it wrong.

Happy now?


>>I mean I know there are those who claim you can do a quality review without actually playing the game...but to not actually read it either...that's a new one on me... <<

Well it depends on what you mean by "play" a game. I do often attempt to follow the steps of character creation and will sometimes even run mock combats. . .

Even so one can't write a chapter-by-chapter overview or a synopsis of character creation without reading the text.

But thanks for asking. And apologies for that poorly worded comment on my part.


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius