[Coda] Narrator's Screen Review
Star Trek Narrator's Screen Review
Note: I have worked as a contractor for Decipher in the past, although not on the product in question.
Format: 4-pane cardboard stock, full-color screen, matte finish; 16-page mono booklet; 8 full-color glossy character sheets (double-sided)
MSRP: $14.95
At long last the Great Barrier has been breeched, for the first new Star Trek RPG product in some period of time has finally been released. As is the case with most RPG screens, the Star Trek Narrator's Screen is comprised of a sturdy cardstock format, full-color on both sides and with an attractive matte finish. My examination of the screen and its finish hasn't left any tell-tale fingerprint marks, an minor pet peeve of mine. The screen is a four panel design, with the interior LCARS layout on black with the majority of key tables and charts from the two RPG books: The Player's Guide and the Narrator's Guide. The external (player visible) side is a shot of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E from astern, framed by Earth on the left-most panel and a red nebula on the right-most panel. It is simplistic in design; neither too busy or too bland. Most players shouldn't complain having to view the screen for the duration of the game, although it is interesting that no where does the screen say "Star Trek" or make any attempts to inspire the players. The two end panels are also marked with some light computer graphic elements, similar to those found on the back covers of the two Core Books.
The inside is where all the action happens, of course. A total of 23 charts and tables from the two Core Books are included for the Narrator's reference, kept together in logical groupings. Along with each table the LCARS border also tells you what book you will find the table in. The following tables are included:
Movement Actions (NG76)
Full-Round Actions (NG77)
Free Actions (NG77)
Combat Actions (NG77)
Additional Actions (NG78)
Universal Target Numbers (NG78)
Degrees of Success (NG81)
Physical Test Modifiers (NG79)
Academic Test Modifiers (NG80) (errata'd version)
Social Test Modifiers (NG80)
Close Combat Modifiers (NG89)
Psionic Test Modifiers (NG81)
Ranged Combat Modifiers (NG89)
Pace (NG95)
Fatigue Rates (NG96)
Obstacle (NG95)
Encumbrance & Movement (NG96)
Fatigue Effects (NG96)
Stun Effects (NG91)
Phaser & Disruptor Effects (NG91) (errata'd version)
Cover Protection (NG92)
Star Trek Weapons (NG90) (pre-errata version)
Effects of Injury (NG92)
Natural Healing & First Aid (NG93-94)
Something that is fairly unique about the Narrator's Screen is its use of full-color on the inside. Most screens elect for color on the outside but only monochrome or two-color on the inside. Full-color is used in this case to group each set of tables by color groups. For example, all tables related to movement and actions are denoted in mustard, all test modifiers in green, combat and weapons in blue, and injury and healing in red. This makes it easy to find the appropriate group you're looking for. The text is clearly legible, with the exception of the white text on mustard background for the movement and action tables. Not impossible, mind you, just slightly more difficult to read.
The companion booklet is an accumulation of 30 additional tables (suffice it to say they are too numerous to list here -- if the table wasn't listed above it is in this booklet) and the Narrator tool/pages found in the rear of the Narrator's Guide (Series Profile, Scene Cards, Starship Profile, etc). In something of a faux pas, the booklet is printed in sepia tone instead of pure black. (This is also how the Lord of the Rings booklet is printed, but theirs was intentionally.) I could see where having this booklet during play, say for the complete skill list, would be useful. Actually, the first three pages are extremely useful for character generation--a fairly convoluted process for most first-time players. I would have preferred the booklet to contain an adventure, much like the Lord of the Rings' booklet.
Finally, eight full-color glossy character sheets are included. These are the same character sheets that we despise and hate from the Player's Guide. Their utility (if you even considered using them) is lessened by the fact that they are glossy. Writing on them is difficult. In short, most people will probably throw these horrible sheets away.
Now for the bad news. Most of the tables in the Narrator's Screen are their non-errata'd versions, particularly the Weapons table. Meaning, they appear exactly as they do in the Player's Guide/Narrator's Guide. Were the Narrator's Screen released quickly on the heels of the Core Books this could probably be overlooked and easily forgiven. Considering the length of time between these releases and the accumulation of errata in that time, I suspect most gamers won't be so charitable.
Bottom line: Thumbs up on the screen, thumbs down on the booklet, and two thumbs down on the worthless character sheets. For $15 a good purchase for Narrators only.
