ICEs all new generic Fantasy RPG. If you love D&D d20...but hate the mechanics (?) HARP may be the thing for you. It is concise, complete and cheap! However, it is also complicated, chart and die roll heavy, and not for the newbie. A highly opinionated review.
Post originally by grubman at 2003-12-26 04:36:30
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Other than grammer, spelling, andy typo mistakes , I mention there are 7 races in HARP, and then go on to list only 6. There are, in fact, only 6 races in HARP. Sorry.
Post originally by Quicksliver at 2003-12-26 07:08:31
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Good review, but what were the differences between HARP and RM? Seemed like you covered all the bases of RM with only the streamlined skill list as the major difference...
Post originally by Marius B. at 2003-12-26 08:44:01
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Good review. I feel it's given me a fairly good idea of what I can expect from HARP. It sounds pretty good except for the combat system, but I understand it can be used with the RoleMaster AL/CL tables, so I think I'll pick up a copy when I see it in my FLGS.
Post originally by Brad at 2003-12-26 09:49:35
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The review was a mixed bag in my opinion. Grubman (the reviewer) tended to relate everything to D&D or D20, which really only served to "upsell" those systems, but he closed it by saying that "even though he didn't enjoy it, it wasn't a waste of his money".
He also tended to critique all references of situational modifiers as being mechanically heavy and game slowing. Potentially true, but he failed to report the streamlining options the Drunkard's Rule (rounding up or down to the nearest 5), and the fact that you can take or leave features as the needed to achieve the desired results for a given group of players.
All in all it was a middle of the road review with both positives and negatives cited, but too many reference to other products for my tastes. Review the item as a stand alone, or do a full blown product comparison in my opinion.
Post originally by Rasyr at 2003-12-26 10:17:46
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Marius - You might want to check with your FLGS and find out which distributors they use. If the use Alliance, then they will never get HARP since Alliance refuses to carry any ICE products, period.
If your FLGS uses other distributors, then they will be able to get it. Of course, you could always direct them to the ICE website, where the retailer can order direct from ICE, on terms comparable to those given by distributors.
Brad - I actually think that grubman did a pretty decent review considering that he mentions right off the bat that he does not like Rolemaster. I was a little disappointed that he did gloss over or fail to mention many of the neat options available, but on the whole I was pleased with it.
Marius B. wrote:
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Good review. I feel it's given me a fairly good idea of what I can expect from HARP. It sounds pretty good except for the combat system, but I understand it can be used with the RoleMaster AL/CL tables, so I think I'll pick up a copy when I see it in my FLGS.
Post originally by Sam at 2003-12-26 12:11:29
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Unfortunately lads you have yet to see the extended version of Return of the King where I first kick Shelob's ass with my nunchakus... Unfortunately they were of Taiwan make and not as endurable as the one from Japan.
Post originally by Rasyr at 2003-12-26 13:25:12
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No, the art is not bitmapped. Of that I can ensure you.
We got the proofs back from the printer and the art all looked great, but something went wrong during the actual print process, and it slightly pixelated everything.
If you take a look at the preview pages on the HARP website, that gives you a good idea of what the art looked like before the printer got ahold of it.
We will be working with the printer after the first of the year to make sure that this does not happen in future print runs.
, I mention there are 7 races in HARP, and then go on to list only 6. There are, in fact, only 6 races in HARP. Sorry.
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