[RPG]: Mage: The Ascension, reviewed by Alex deMorris (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10441.phtml

Alex deMorris's Summary:

Mage: The Ascension opened several new doors for the Original World of Darkness as the first human 'monster' of that series. It was a free-wheeling, conceptual high that followed on the heels of the other World of Darkness monster venues (those being Vampire: the Masquerade and Werewolf: the Apocalypse). Of the original five core settings, this game line was the most positive in the World of Darkness. That doesn't mean Mage: The Ascension was without flaws...

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Dan Davenport at 2004-07-12 06:49:03
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I don't know if I'll ever play <b><i>Mage</i></b>, but I do appreciate this well-done overview of the line's history.

--
Dan Davenport

Post originally by Bages at 2004-07-12 08:05:01
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What a great review. You really understand Mage the ascencion and all the changes it went through during the years.

Post originally by Jay Verkuilen at 2004-07-12 11:16:56
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>>Dan Davenport wrote:
-------------------------------
I don't know if I'll ever play <b><i>Mage</i></b>, but I do appreciate this well-done overview of the line's history.<<

I concur on a really nice overview.

Mage is an odd duck. I really love the game and have played it a ton since I first discovered it in 1995-1996 but there are a lot of people for whom I would not recommend it. It really needs "mature" players and a GM who's willing to wing it A LOT.

Jay

Post originally by Stephenls at 2004-07-12 23:06:33
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For the first time ever, I agree with an Alex deMorris review. You pretty much got Mage down pat.

Not that I needed it. I long ago completed my Mage collection...
--
Stephenls
Geek

Post originally by Ben FELTEN at 2004-07-13 01:57:33
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Mage is and will likely always remain one of my favourite games. It's very original, even unusual, but at the same time, very accessible, provided the players are given the proper accompaniment.

Also, congratulations on managing to give your opinion on its various incarnations without getting polemic. My preference also goes for 2nd edition, but that's most likely because I never viewed the game in the continuity of the WoD timeline or even in comparison with the other WoD games, but simply as an awesome standalone.

Anyway, great review !

Ben

Post originally by Jake at 2004-07-13 02:19:14
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Well... Not the <i>first</i> time I agreed with Alex, but one of the few reviews I found worth my time. And it's not even a review, but more a overview :-)
At least it made me understand the whole "Second Edition vs Revised" flame wars better.

Thanks Alex!

--Jake

Post originally by Clint at 2004-07-13 04:07:01
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Excellent review and discussion of one of my favorite games.

Post originally by MacroDragon at 2004-07-13 09:52:52
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My only... issue... is that I disagree with the statement that Mage is the most hopeful of the WoD games... I am of the opinion that Changeling holds that title, but hey. That's just MHO

Post originally by Jesse Heinig at 2004-07-13 10:37:18
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You're kidding about Changeling being hopeful, right? I mean, this is the Flowers for Algernon game -- your character is something special and gifted, and will inevitably lose it and <i>never even know that (s)he used to be special</i>.