AslanC's 5 cent Narrator's Guide review

What can I say...

I got this book at 3:30pm... I took it to work with me. I read at work. I read on the way home. I read while I was cooking. I read while eating. I read while the TV blared in the background (I have no idea what was on).

This is an amazing book!

It has everything. How to make planets, aliens, creatures, starships (I love the simplicity of the construction system, but it still has scope), how to make a series, an epsiode, a supporting cast member... you name it!

The presentation is flawless. Unlike the Player's Guide, everything you need is in each chapter, very little flipping. The writing is engaing and crisp. It explains things without talking down to you or over you. It treats you like and equal.

The charts are sweet. The graphics very nicely done. The text jumps off the page.

If I was to give a rating of 1 to 5 stars (1 being worst, 5 being best) I would give this easily a 4.9 stars. My only problem with the book is the quality of the paper it is printed on. But other than that minor complaint, this is hands down the best gaming book I have ever read. I can't say enough about it.

Take a bow guys, you outdid yourselves on this one :)

Aslan, how much is there in the NG on how to handle actual gameplay?
For example, when does a test fall into which category (academic, physical, social), what modifiers to apply in which situation, that sort of thing.

And could you please tell me how many Experience Points an average adventure will net a character? (My guesstimate would be around 250 with the possibility for about 350 with good roleplaying/clever ideas.)

The only reason I am asking instead of waiting for my NG is that I have no idea when it will be distributed to my local retailer here in Germany. It might be a while before I can finaly get my own copy, so maybe you can be kind enough to satisfy some of my curiosity. ;)

Ahh, a fine relic. You will make very worthy prey. :D

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Originally posted by Lancer
Aslan, how much is there in the NG on how to handle actual gameplay?
For example, when does a test fall into which category (academic, physical, social), what modifiers to apply in which situation, that sort of thing.

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Let's ust say there is an entire indepth chapter devoted to how the system works, with plenty of examples to show you how. Also it has one of the most innovative examples of gameplay I have seen. Nothing earth shattering, just neat.

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Originally posted by Lancer
And could you please tell me how many Experience Points an average adventure will net a character? (My guesstimate would be around 250 with the possibility for about 350 with good roleplaying/clever ideas.)

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Well I have to say that there is no such thing as an "average" adventure. The amount of options you have for doling out XP and making adventures is quite indepth. There is one whole chapter on how to give out XP.

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Originally posted by Lancer
The only reason I am asking instead of waiting for my NG is that I have no idea when it will be distributed to my local retailer here in Germany. It might be a while before I can finaly get my own copy, so maybe you can be kind enough to satisfy some of my curiosity. ;)

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I can't give you any numbers or examples, as it would be wrong IMHO. If a game is in print I will never give any of it out. Sorry to disapoint, but I must stand by my convictions.

I hope you understand.

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Originally posted by Phantom
Ahh, a fine relic. You will make very worthy prey. :D

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What the? Okay this lost me. Is this some weird Romulan thingy? ;)

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Originally posted by AslanC
If a game is in print I will never give any of it out. Sorry to disapoint, but I must stand by my convictions.

I hope you understand.

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No problem.

If you wouldn't stand by your convictions that would be a much bigger disapointment.:)

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Originally posted by AslanC
What the? Okay this lost me. Is this some weird Romulan thingy? ;)

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Nope, it's a Hirogen thingy:D He will hunt you down and take your book as a trophy...

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Originally posted by AslanC
What the? Okay this lost me. Is this some weird Romulan thingy? ;)

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I don't always think like a Romulan. :D ;)

Is this the part where we get a sight-unseen commentary on the NG and its failings from Phantom? ;)

Geesh, sorry man. I couldn't resist! I…am…weak! :D

Nice to see the NG is popping up. Glad you like it thus far, Aslan.

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Originally posted by Don Mappin
Nice to see the NG is popping up. Glad you like it thus far, Aslan.

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Not just liking it, I am LOVING it! They really did a great job on this book.

The information on space and anomolies was incrediable. I learned something from them! How cool is that!? :D

Don, I've got an article I wrote about the page borders revealed at last year's GenCon which will be appearing in the next issue of Time magazine. From that page border I was able to infer the mindset of Matt Colville's art design, which revealed to me the general voice taken within the NG. That voice suggested a few possible starship combat methods, which I have whittled down the only real possibility: a direct porting of the starship combat rules which will one day be used in d20 and have merely been forseen by the designers of the Coda system. Knowing this, I am issuing a mandate in my article that the professional game designers heed my warning as a customer lest I shake the earth with the powers granted to me by capitalism.

I will then resume my modifications of the Twilight 2000 rules for my upcoming Lost in Space campaign. (The original era, of course.)

(If I've stepped on anyone's toes above, please realize that I'm over here in the corner choking on my own feet.) :D

word,
will

I have to ask....how?

How did you wrangle a copy earlier? My supplier has been trying to get an early copy for me because of my leaving on the 5th. Any tips I get pass along to him to help him get it?

Kyle

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Originally posted by Don Mappin
Is this the part where we get a sight-unseen commentary on the NG and its failings from Phantom? ;)

Geesh, sorry man. I couldn't resist! I…am…weak! :D

Nice to see the NG is popping up. Glad you like it thus far, Aslan.

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Ok Don, but remember...You asked for it.

1) Only failing so far as I have noticed...I don't have it, yet!!! :D

(looks around...NO! Don't seem to have a copy here! :D) Hey Aslan...come over here. Dark? No it's not dark over here. Stick? How'd that get there...Hello, Prey! :D :D :D Hey! Come back here!

I never really was against the game, I always tried to pose my questions and comments in as positive manner as I could, guess I failed on that point:(

I have to say that I am very impressed with the PG, and eagerly await to see the info in the GM book. Though I do have to say the inclusion of Ent in LTD was the deciding factor in me not getting it. Sorry, I really don't like that show...The ship maybe, the show...not so much. Got a release date for SF Ops book? I really, really want to see that book. :)

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Originally posted by Phantom
I have to say that I am very impressed with the PG, and eagerly await to see the info in the GM book.

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Dude look at it this way I did not like the PG that much, but I love the nG :)

It is cool

Now put away that stick :)

I thought I should bump this thread to the first page since it makes a great area to get quick info on the Narrator's Guide. When I anxiously awaited the arival of my NG that I order from nobleknight.com I instinctively went to site to find the latest info on it. However, at that time I failed to scroll down to the proceding pages and nerver found this thread. Hopefully, putting this on the first page again for awhile will allow lurkers looking for info to sway their decision to buy this book a chance to see it.

I have not read the entire thing yet, but from what I have read so far I like very much. While I would not go so far as to say the Player's Guide should be the model for all future rpg player's guides, I will stronly assert that the Narrator's Guide should be. The concept of creating a GM's guide that is a tools set is genius. The actual writing in this title is such that it could make the most dry material seem interesting and cool.

On specifics, from what I have read of the Starship combat rules it is top notch. I really enjoy the concept of the abstract/roleplaying behind it. In a true role playing game, who wants to skip to a tactical style format just because space combat has started? Not me. I want the action to stay where it should: with the characters. Keeping the starship combat rules centered around the characters by making it more abstract is right on key in my book. Sure, it is fun to push around little ship models. But that belongs in a war game not a roleplaying game.

You never told us where you got a NG for just 5 cents. ;)

Da Guru

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Originally posted by Champions Guru
You never told us where you got a NG for just 5 cents. ;)

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Actually, I think he was referring to the 5 cents change from the $30 he handed over ;)