[RPG]: Fantasy Imperium, reviewed by Lev Lafayette (3/1)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12721.phtml

Lev Lafayette's Summary:

Character generation is both unplayable and unrealistic. The combat system tries to do everything and inevitably fails. The magic system is largely unimaginative, utterly ahistorical and does not evoke a sense of wonder. Fantasy Imperium is an unimaginative rehash of flaws in game design from thirty or more years ago.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Dan Davenport]

Nice job on your first review, Lev!

As I think I mentioned about this game previously, I have to agree that the inclusion of fantasy races but not fantasy monsters seems odd.

[Pig with Pen]

Good to read a review about this game that doesn't focus on the "interactive storytelling game" selling vector or that this game is advertised as a historical fantasy game, but there seems to be very little history in it, but concentrates on the game itself.

Whatever, it is not up my alley anyway. Thanks for the review.

[The Last Conformist]

I assume "[female characters'] strength is reduced to 0.75%" (my emphasis) is a typo for "75%".

[Simple Man]

Kinda reminds me of a less immature FATAL.

[Destriarch]

Nice review. I can't say I'd ever considered buying this game, but had I done so I think I would certainly have changed my mind after reading this. I mean, sexual equality is one of the things I've always liked about RPG's and here is a game that, with or without the optional rules, seem to have a not-inconsiderable advantage. Yes, a 25% hit on Strength is nasty, but the positive points add up to 45% worth of bonuses, not counting the extra roll for attractiveness. I mean sexual dimorphism yes, but let's at least have it on equal terms.

Did the book, perchance, limit women's careers in any way? I'm not saying that it should mark you, it's just that if you justify the above alterations in the name of realism, then a woman's choice of career in the middle ages would also be pretty limiting if memory serves. Not that I'm a historian or anything.

Ash

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by The Last Conformist

I assume "[female characters'] strength is reduced to 0.75%" (my emphasis) is a typo for "75%".

You assume quite correctly!

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

Kinda reminds me of a less immature FATAL.

You said IT! *budda* *budda* *budda*

(But yes, that theme did keep popping up)

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by Destriarch

Did the book, perchance, limit women's careers in any way? I'm not saying that it should mark you, it's just that if you justify the above alterations in the name of realism, then a woman's choice of career in the middle ages would also be pretty limiting if memory serves. Not that I'm a historian or anything.

Ash

I think that was overlooked ;-)

Careers weren't described in suffficient detail for that. The 90 or so professions take up a mere four pages. What they get is a name, a minimum social class number, annual income and savings, total skill points and a list of skills, which 75% of XP must be spent on. The actual mechanics are OK, and the professions themselves aren't too bad either, but the detail (especially compared to the rest of the game) is woefully inadequate.

[Lars Dangly]

The really wild thing is that this game has now been reviewed 5 times on RPG.net (o.k., four plus a gratuitous re-post).