An incredible game that combines an ingeniously simple rulesystem, an amazingly flexible magic system, and a vast and detailed setting that still gives GMs room to breathe.
Post originally by Blurb at 2004-03-29 11:42:32
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Wow. Very in-depth. I really like longer reviews like this, that give one a detailed view of the RPG. I'll definately be looking into this game sometime in the future.
Post originally by Nathan Hill at 2004-03-29 11:45:32
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Of a fantastic game...
My players are still itching for another round and maybe something more long term in the fantastic world of Talislanta. I may have to give it to them. This book is fantastic and well worth the money!
Post originally by bastion_korupt at 2004-03-29 13:56:24
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It is my firm belief that Tal4 is better than d20 anything. The simple rules and fantastic setting are unbelievably cool and easy to learn. More than that, you get greater value for your money... the book is HUGE.
Don't get me wrong, I won't be disposing of my other gaming books (d20 and others) but I sincerely appreciate this games mechanics in comparison. If only ALL rpg's were this easy.
There are more books coming soon! A spin off RPG called Midnight Realms (a continent to the north of Talislanta that borders the Abyss and the Arctic) and a players guide which WILL have template creation rules. IF you want them.
Post originally by George Jackson at 2004-03-29 14:37:10
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I have Talislanta, and the lack of being able to come up with one's own characters is a deal-killer. There's positively no way I could convince my gaming group to play a game where they have to play someone else's characters. Which is a terrible shame, because I think the setting is great, the rules while not fantastic are workable, and overall it's ripe with potential. But then they went and sank their boat by not including rules for making characters. I remember way back when just after its release I poked around on the mailing list and saw noises there about releasing a character creation system sometime in the near future. I haven't heard whether it was ever done or not.
Post originally by David Stallard at 2004-03-29 14:50:31
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It's a different mindset, one that puts off a lot of players. I understand the positives of the template system, but I think Talislanta should adopt an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mindset and adopt a more standard system. I think it would open the game up to a lot more players...you being one example.
Post originally by Thalles de Mello at 2004-03-29 18:30:37
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Well done. I think you've managed to capture all of the points that make Talislanta by far THE best fantasy setting I have ever seen. For those who may be worried about character generation detail, the upcoming book Symposium should help out a lot in fleshing out your characters.
Post originally by Mark "Tipop" Williams at 2004-03-29 20:20:09
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I think you missed the point of the archetypes. They're not intended to be exclusive of any characters you create yourself. The archetypes stand as detailed examples of typical adventurers and such from each race.
If you want to make your own character, you simply take the closest archetype and make whatever changes seem appropriate based on your character concept. It's entirely freeform, since no set of rules could possibly allow for the variety and power ranges present in the Tal setting.
The existing archetypes range in power from "meek little plant-person who runs from violence" to "armored butt-kicking incarnation of death". What character generation system would let you do that, yet also keep the characters within the setting as described?
The lack of rules for character generation are not just intentional, they are necessary.
Post originally by Lord Liaden at 2004-03-29 21:17:52
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I can readily understand concerns about not being able to make up your own character from whole cloth (boy, have we all come a long way since 1st Ed. AD&D!). I myself enjoy game systems where you can tailor your character to your own preferences. Frankly, though, I've never really missed that with Talislanta. The vast number and variety of archetypes give you so many choices that playing something "different" likely wouldn't become an issue for years of gaming, and you have the advantage of playing a character which immediately fits into the Tal milieu.
Still, you should note that another reply posted to this review mentions the Symposium, an upcoming book providing a custom character template design system. I believe that post directs you to where you can find out more about it.
Post originally by JELEINEN at 2004-03-29 22:14:24
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Saying there aren't rules for making characters is a load of bull @!#$. If you don't like the character generation system provided, then fine. Goodie for you. But, don't make moronic statements saying it doesn't exist.
And no, there are no plans for generic char. gen. in any of the upcoming supplements. Nor, is it needed.
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