Post originally by Kester Pelagius at 2005-03-04 12:09:30
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It was informative. The reviewer covered all the important bases, for the most part, but at times was it just me or could you almost hear the reviewer yawning?
Post originally by camazotz at 2005-03-04 17:33:56
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Well, I guess I'll be getting it. Of all the settings for D20, AU stands out as the only one to "grab" me, for some of the reasons you mentioned (a setting which caters to "fix-it up myself" GMs, for example) and the moral ambiguity/alignmentless nature of the Diamond Throne world.
That, and this is one of the few good, hardcore high-fantasy worlds out there to have no elves, dwarves, halflings, or orcs anywhere to be seen.....a trope of RPGs and fiction that even current fantasy authors try to avoid these days, but which pervades gaming like rats in plague-stricken London.
Post originally by Jason at 2005-03-04 19:24:28
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That is the exact reason I got interested in AU and let me tell you, it is worth it! AU has a rich system that doesn't give me a headache and whooo boy is the magic system not the best system to hit D20 or what?
Just a shame all the modules are hard to find cause I have just about EVERYTHING for AU I love it so much.
Post originally by camazotz at 2005-03-06 04:59:03
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I now have ti in my hands, after stopping in at the FLGS....wasn't planning to drop $50, but it was worth it, I have now decided.
I can see where the reviewer is correct: the vast bulk of the art is impressive, and adds a lot, but a few older illustrations are missing that I hope get reused elsewhere, and a couple key illustrations (trust me, you'll know which ones) suggest that the artist might be a relative or have some connection to Monte Cook and crew which insured a spot in the art in spite of the amateur quality. It wouldn't be so noticeable, but some of these illos are used in the class/race section....where impressionable, art-minded players will be quick to judge (at least, they are in my group).
On the other hand, the artists who provided the cover to "Siege on Ebonring Keep" has moved from "amateur with promise" to wow....just wow, this guy's style is unique, dynamic, and impressive. I love how he, and many fo the other artists, seem to be really in touch with the use of lighting as a mechanism in their color art. Fantastic. The art alone validated the cost to me; its so evocatve of the setting.
Any AU fan would be remiss if he/she didn't pick this book up; a new entrant could hardly go wrong here, either; AE is reminding me of what really good, inspirational games can do, and gives me hope for the future of the hobby. This, plus GOO's release of Tekumel, are great lead ins to the rest of the year.
Still, if you're budget minded: the old AU will still do you fine, at least until you can save up for this one. ;-)
Post originally by Toren "MacBin" Atkinson at 2005-03-10 11:18:18
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Tastes aside, as an artist who appeared in the original book, I was a tad saddened that none of my artwork made the cut for the Evolved edition except the energy/element symbols. My main complaint with many RPG books is the computerized look of much of the art. Perhaps I am a traditionalist (I only use computers to enhance or fix mistakes in my art) but in my opinion computer art just doesn't compare to traditional media 99% of the time.
That said, the book is a valuable addition to my game shelf and, more importantly, it's being USED.
Post originally by George Jackson at 2005-03-11 01:24:52
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I regretted wherever your or Sam Wood's art was replaced or colorized, having rather appreciated it back in AU. I know that the players would have howled bloody murder about buying a color book full of black and white illustrations, but in my opinion the originals were often superior to the replacements. Jason Engle (I'm assuming he's the one with the JAE signature) and the artist who did the unsigned piece for the Magisters were both excellent, and most of the rest of the color art was good, but still I wish they'd left the original Wood art uncolored. His shading was excellent, and the switch to color removed most of the depth from it. I didn't mind them coloring the rune art, as it didn't mess with the original line work, but I'd've gone a different direction when it came to the sketchy-looking color pieces in the book.
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