[RPG]: Heaven & Earth, Third Edition, reviewed by Joe Sala (5/5)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13472.phtml

Joe Sala's Summary:

It's Twin Peaks and Carnivàle and Over the Edge and one of the best games ever.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Abstract Nova]

Thanks for the review Joe. If anyone has any questions about the game, I'm happy to answer them.

Best,
Lee

[jfiz]

Originally Posted by Abstract Nova

Thanks for the review Joe. If anyone has any questions about the game, I'm happy to answer them.

Best,
Lee

I have a question then:

Is there any way to obtain a copy of the rules system for this game *without* the setting material?

I'm a long-time OTE fan and GM, and I find the rules-system hinted at in this review interesting; however due to personal reasons I can't get behind the setting trope that is detailed in this game.

Thanks.

[xenongames]

H&E is a lot like OTE in that respect. Some people will like the rules but hate the setting, or vice-versa. If you already like OTE, I see little reason to pick up H&E just for the system.

[Abstract Nova]

Jfiz,

If you send me a PM or email me at lee@abstractnova.com, I'll email you a PDF of the mechanics chapter of the game.

Best,
Lee

[Lev Lafayette]

I have a couple of copies of the early editions of this game I thought it was pretty interesting. I can almost grok how you've given it 5/5 for substance... What I'm really struggling to understand, even based on the review, how it's ended up 5/5 for style. Given that the art is described "not of top quality", the text's organisation seems to be of average quality (does it have a table of contents and index?), and as for the physical presentation (well, this was a PDF), I don't have any idea about use of whitespace, readability etc. How readable is it?

Don't get me wrong, I really quite like this game. I does have, as you suggest, a Twin Peaks meets Over The Edge meets The Apocalypse. That's cool. But being cool is just one criteria by which rpg.net recommends Style values... How about the others?

[Abstract Nova]

Lev,

If you go to www.abstractnova.com and download the Potter's Lake PDF, you'll get an idea of the layout and art as the PDF is an actual chapter from the book. Of course, I'm biased, but I really like the game's art and think it's of high quality. I think the artists did an excellent job conveying the small town atmosphere of the game. Of course, the art isn't going to be too flashy or over the top, given the subject matter of the game.

Unfortunately, there is no index to the game (an admitted oversight), but it's a relatively slim book and the organization of the material should make finding what you need fairly easy. Also, it's pretty rules-light so there probably won't be a whole lot of book referencing. There is a meager table of contents.

I hope some of this helps.

Best,
Lee

[mitchw]

Originally Posted by Abstract Nova

Unfortunately, there is no index to the game (an admitted oversight), but it's a relatively slim book and the organization of the material should make finding what you need fairly easy. Also, it's pretty rules-light so there probably won't be a whole lot of book referencing. There is a meager table of contents.

These kind of oversights are easy to correct in the internet age a free downloadable index would not go amiss...

Mitch

[Joe Sala]

Originally Posted by Lev Lafayette

I have a couple of copies of the early editions of this game I thought it was pretty interesting.

It's not possible to judge the game's third edition based on the previous ones. They're too different - and much worse.

Originally Posted by Lev Lafayette

What I'm really struggling to understand, even based on the review, how it's ended up 5/5 for style.

"Style", as defined by RPG.net, is not only art & presentation, but also writing style, which is excellent. Furthermore, the ratio between amount of text and information is the best I've ever seen in a RPG book: no "empty" paragraphs, no unnecessary verbosity. An example: I would give Mage The Awakening a 3 for Style: nice shiny cover, nice pictures, but the writing is absolutely boring and uninspiring.

About H&E's art, maybe it's not top quality, but it's simply perfect for the game. And as I pointed in the review, they're not generic illustrations, but every single picture is related to the setting and the text. How many RPG books can say this?

[Abstract Nova]

Originally Posted by mitchw

These kind of oversights are easy to correct in the internet age a free downloadable index would not go amiss...

Mitch

Excellent point. Sometimes the obvious eludes me

Best,
Lee