I like my horror unashamed and unabashed, in your face and not politically correct. If you agree with that statement, you may have found a game for you in Dread.
Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
Enrique,
Thank you for writing such a thorough review! I really appreciate it, and I'm glad that you enjoyed Dread so much.
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Originally Posted by Enrique Cachafeiro
Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Game Day in Raleigh, NC.
That was a terrific event, by the way. I really enjoyed the games that I played, and it was great to meet you and all the other attendees. I'll definitely be at the next one in April.
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Originally Posted by Enrique Cachafeiro
The book compares well with any off-the-shelf big company RPG.
Thank you! I will definitely pass that compliment along to the artists who created the illustrations and laid the book out.
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Originally Posted by Enrique Cachafeiro
Without going into too much details, the spells, which really are no different from a game mechanics stand point, are like nothing I have ever seen. They are diverse, dark, creepy, cool, and often times, gross. They are truly, truly original and make me wander if Rafael is still taking his meds (I kid!).
Hah. I was on my meds the whole time. In fact, that EKG printout at the beginning of the book is mine (long story). And the spell 'Nodule' was inspired by the nodule in my throat (same goes for the company name -- Neoplastic Press).
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Originally Posted by Enrique Cachafeiro
HOWEVER, I know of at least one player in my group that would take advantage of the rules-lite game system by arguing with me about why a target number should be lower, as well as throw out whatever lame line he could to claim stunt dice, even though it does not have coolness associated with it. Those subjective parts of the rules are both a strength and a point of possible contention.
I agree, it could be a problem with some groups. While the system does lay out a few guidelines (target difficulty 7 is medium, 12 is difficult), a whole lot is left to the GM and players. If you have a contentious power gamer in your group, Dread might be less enjoyable than a game with rigidly defined target difficulties. With grey areas like these, you need a group that's focused on having fun. I know this is kind of a cop-out, but basically, I don't game with the type of player that you describe, because it doesn't matter if I'm running Rifts or D&D or Dread -- the fun just gets sucked out of the room and the sun burns black and the cows give sour milk and the flowers all wither. Not my scene.
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Originally Posted by Enrique Cachafeiro
At the same time, I can see where folks that like their RPGs completely free form may call this formulaic because it has a certain pattern or rhythm to it. I cannot completely disagree since the game was designed in that way and it is one of the things that I find attractive about it, since it helps in making adventures and getting to the action quicker.
You're right, it is formulaic, and that can be turnoff for some. I wanted to design a game that would furnish all of the necessary components (as I saw them) of a fun horror-action scenario: some kind of mystery that needs solving (be it a gruesome murder or a strange phenomenon of some kind), a few foolish humans that try to stop you (resulting in some combat), a car chase or two, some investigation, some breaking and entering, and a climactic battle with a horrific demon. Frankly, I kind of patterned the game on cop shows and crime novels. I like The Shield, and Law and Order: SVU, and The Wire, and I'm a huge fan of writers like James Ellroy, Elmore Leonard, and Michael Connelly. I think that the aforementioned had a pretty strong influence on some of the elements of Dread's structure.
Dread is definitely geared towards one-shot beer-and-pretzel pick-up gaming. If you were going to play game X, but your weekly group is short two people, then you can get a game of Dread off the ground in about 30 minutes tops, and you know that by the end of a three- or four-hour session, there will be burning buildings, car chases, gunfights, bizarro magic use, and a horrifying battle with a demon in a crowded shopping mall full of nuns and orphans while one of the people in your group tries to run over a drug lord with a bulldozer.
Also, it makes for a good game if you meet regularly, but not often (as in the case of the group you mentioned, which meets once every 4-6 weeks). That's the kind of group I've got, and though we always have fun, it's not something we can do on a weekly basis. So Dread works in that regard.
While you can play long-term campaigns (I've been gaming with the same dudes since the first edition of Dread was released in 2002), it's not going to be as effective for weekly gaming sessions.
Enrique, thanks again for taking the time to write such an in-depth review! It's greatly appreciated.
If anyone has any questions about the game, I'd be more than happy to answer them in this thread.
If you're not familiar with Lulu, here's what I've posted on my site:
Lulu accepts Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and debit or check cards that are connected with one of the aforementioned credit card companies. I've ordered several books from Lulu, and I've never had any problems. But if you're not happy with your order, please contact me at spaniard[:at:]dread-rpg[:dot:]com and I'll take care of it. I've done it before, and I'll do it again without hestitation.
Maybe one day Dread will be available at your FLGS, but there are no concrete plans at this point.
Hope that doesn't deter you from picking up the game!
Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
Ah, I kept wondering why they hadn't gotten it yet (they're pretty good about getting stuff from indierpg etc). I guess I may have to make my first Lulu foray!
Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
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Originally Posted by mxyzplk
I guess I may have to make my first Lulu foray!
Great! Well, again, if you have any trouble at all, please let me know. And when you get your copy of Dread, be sure to drop by the forums and share your experiences with the game.
Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
Thanks for the kinds words mxyzplk (sometime you've GOT to tell me where you got that name from). The Dread review was my first review ever here at RPG.net, so I posted it under my actual name.
And your welcome Rafael, I didn't mind writing the review one bit! You've got a great game there!
Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
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Originally Posted by mxyzplk
I guess I may have to make my first Lulu foray!
Well worth the order. My copy from Lulu arrived yesterday. I haven't had a chance to start reading yet ('twas Valentines Day and all...) but Lulu's printing is very professional. Visually the book looks great (art, layout etc).
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Re: [RPG]: Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium (Unrated Edition), reviewed by Enriqu
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Originally Posted by Dremmen
You've got a great game there!
Thank you!
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Originally Posted by Mordren II
Well worth the order. My copy from Lulu arrived yesterday. I haven't had a chance to start reading yet ('twas Valentines Day and all...) but Lulu's printing is very professional. Visually the book looks great (art, layout etc).
Hey, thanks a lot. I'm glad it went smoothly, and that you like the book's layout and art -- I'll be sure to pass that on to the artists.
I was on my meds the whole time. In fact, that EKG printout at the beginning of the book is mine (long story). And the spell 'Nodule' was inspired by the nodule in my throat (same goes for the company name -- Neoplastic Press).
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