A wonderful and needed expansion on the <u>Gamma World Player's Handbook</u> that brings back a lot of old favorite critters (many available as PCs), and brings us a lot of exciting new creatures, too.
Post originally by James Landry at 2003-12-28 05:59:42
Converted from Phorums BB System
What do you mean when you say Mutants and Machines refers to a lot of books one might not have? Can you be more specific here - do you mean like the Creature Collection from S&SS?
Creatures reference spells in d20 Modern? Does that mean that some creatures cast fireball?
Post originally by Joshua Kubli at 2003-12-28 08:51:59
Converted from Phorums BB System
"A lot" of books is probably an exaggeration. It's just the most salient negative feature of the book, other than the wonky picture/descriptions, which point I was trying to emphasize.
Look at point #4 in the Bad Things section. But I'll elucidate here, too.
Creature mutations are mostly handled in one of three ways:
(1). New, original stats are given for the power. This is far and away the most common choice, and short of listing these mutations in a player-friendly format, the best choice.
(2). They reference a D20 Modern psionic power. This happens quite a bit, and won't be especially helpful to players using D&D instead of D20 Modern, and who don't have the Psionics Handbook. However, you can print off the Psionics portion of the SRD or the Modern SRD online.
(3). They reference a D20 Modern spell. Only maybe one or two critters did this. If you plan on playing using the FX-free version of the SRD from RPGObjects, or some such situation, you're in trouble here.
As you can see, the book should work like a charm, provided you have D20 Modern.
Hope this helps!
And to anyone reading, Happy New Year!
Post originally by Kester Pelagius at 2003-12-28 12:31:27
Converted from Phorums BB System
And Happy New Year!
IOW: Good review. Solid. Informative, though given your stated goal of aiming this at a very specific target audience (namely those who may want to purchase this) I'd have like to have seen a cost-to-fun ratio analysis.
Sure, if would largely ne just your opinion, but opinions have swayed mobs into becoming nations over the centuries.
So grab a cup of holiday cheer and let's sway the mob. . . away from the geraniums and over by the pool.
Post originally by Biohazard at 2003-12-28 19:12:53
Converted from Phorums BB System
What exactly is wrong with requiring folks to have d20 Modern? It's pretty clear that the Gamma World Player's Handbook is designed for use with d20 Modern; that Machines & Mutants requires this too is to be expected.
It's kind of like complaining, "Hey, why does this fancy new 'Forgotten Realms' book I bought require me to have the 'Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook'?"
Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2003-12-28 19:41:30
Converted from Phorums BB System
A very solid review, no issues with it being reviewed through rose colored glassess. Your preamble covered that and stated your perspective and take clearly. I wish my second review was that good.
A suggestion though. Write a review for a product you don't like. I would even go so far as to say one that some fanatical people like and you don't. It is a good exercise for writing and for the site in general.
Post originally by Roy Morgan at 2003-12-28 23:15:23
Converted from Phorums BB System
I haven't seen this book, but most d20 and open license books require the /D&D Player's Handbook/, and state only that requirement. Is that the case here, Joshua?
Post originally by Joshua Kubli at 2003-12-29 00:08:58
Converted from Phorums BB System
I am!
Not too bad ... That's been quite a while since I did much GURPSing about, but, even being a bit incomplete as it was, I was pretty happy with the couple of GURPS Amber sessions I did run.
Your GURPS Doom rocked! One of the coolest homebrew game settings on the 'net, ever!
How are you? Write anything new lately?
Jeffery Keown wrote:
-------------------------------
...who wrote GURPS Amber? If so... I'm the same Jeff Keown who wrote GURPS Doom... how ya been?
Post originally by Nerdvana at 2003-12-29 13:10:43
Converted from Phorums BB System
No, Gamma World d20 (as stated on the bottom of the cover of the misnamed "Player's Handbook" (dising only the name)) is "A Campaign Setting for d20 Roleplaying" and was made for use with d20 Modern (so it or its SRD are "required") although it has the option of using D&D 3.5e as well in it.
Linear Mode
