The Riddle of Steel is about one edition away from being a professional-grade product. Its indie-press roots are a little too prevalent, but that doesn't obscure a fantastic, original system for combat and character development.
Post originally by Chris Safruik at 2004-02-23 02:09:04
Converted from Phorums BB System
I think you are wrong about the hand being backwards on the cover of the book.
If you look into the bottom right of the picture, you can see the warrior's right arm. Now look closer. In order for that arm to be is left arm, it would have to be bent backwards (you can see the bend at the elbow, as well as fingers and thumb). That's right, the warrior is left handed, as is (i believe) Jake Norwood. Perhaps you should examine the whole picture before hacking on it? Just a thought. Most of the art isn't too bad, imo, and some of it is better than the stuff in the Exalted line (especially most of the stuff in Abyssals). YMMV and subjective and all that other stuff, and there is some truly bad art in TRoS. A lot of the stuff in the combat chapter is taken from historical texts.
Otherwise, your review is spot on and agrees with my own review.
Post originally by Luke Silburn at 2004-02-23 05:32:28
Converted from Phorums BB System
The cover art is a top-down view, so the barbarian subject isn't looking 'at the camera' but rather he's facing across the frame towards two o'clock or thereabouts.
Having said that, the rest of the review was pretty good I thought. I'd have moaned a bit more about the typos (its *tenets* goddammit) and the headings maybe, but the rest matched my impressions (absent a playtest so far) pretty closely.
Post originally by Deacon Blues at 2004-02-23 07:32:40
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If it's that unclear of a picture (I didn't even suspect it might be a top-down view), it's still really bad, even if it's not "anatomically inaccurate."
Post originally by Tim Gray at 2004-02-23 08:22:01
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I think Driftwood folks have openly acknowledged that the book leaves something to be desired in the clarity of some of its explanations. The forums over at the Forge seem to be an important "appendix".
Post originally by Ralph Mazza at 2004-02-23 09:56:50
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Deacon, I think you've mastered the art of trying to present a review as objectively as possible. I'm also a big fan of your point breakdown system so I can judge for myself whether I'd have knocked off fewer or more points than you for each item.
My only quibble is that I'd have preferred to have seen the SA discussion inflated into a section of its own rather than a shortish paragraph after magic. From your comments I know you recognize the potential these have, so I'd have liked to see them featured more prominently.
Post originally by MrGeneHa at 2004-02-23 12:20:36
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I'm not going to be fair or kind to the cover artist, but I'd like to defend the reviewer's opinion of the cover art. The poor kid probably got paid less than $100 for the cover, and it's probably his first published work.
The illustration is confusing and murky. Unless the artist is trying to make Op Art, the viewer shouldn't have to try to make out what the picture is of. It should be obvious.
The color is the worst part. Everything is murky, and all of the dark forms blend together.
There's a frontal view of a castle in the distance, so we know the warrior must be on laying on the ground.
The warrior is prostrate on his right side, but it's hard to tell. He seems to be suspended on one elbow. The pose is stiff, geometric, and very unnatural, and seems to have been created to hide difficult figure drawing problems. Where are the legs? Why is the head at that uncomfortable angle? Actually, he's not on his side...
The original pencil drawing shows up on the page before the Contents. It's a view of from above of a standing warrior. It's a decent drawing, but far from pro quality. On the cover, it's been merged with a background from a different perspective. Uggh. On the credits, it says "Rick 'I've done this 82 times now' McCann". I suspect it wasn't so muddled before it got fiddled with and Mr. McCann is doesn't like result either.
Post originally by MrGeneHa at 2004-02-23 12:26:39
Converted from Phorums BB System
I should add, I love the game. And I do think Mr. McCann shows raw talent. It's been a few years since he drew that cover, so I suspect he's improved quite a bit.
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