From: cbp@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Christopher Pound)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.advocacy
Subject: Reviews: Dangerous Journeys, Dreampark
Summary: Think about Dangerous Journeys; buy Dreampark now!
Date: 27 Jul 92 00:48:27 GMT
Organization: Univ. of Florida CIS Dept.

DANGEROUS JOURNEYS

Well, AD&D3 appears to have finally hit the shelves.  The hundreds of useless
rules and charts that made AD&D1 so cumbersome are still there, although there
are fewer charts that need to be used during the game.  AD&D3 includes many
D&D players favorite "house rules," like a 1d10 initiative roll and a mana
system, but the major additions to the system were probably "inspired by"
Harnmaster.  AD&D3 uses a skill-based character generation system, one which
is similar to and approximately as complex as the one used in Harnmaster.
AD&D3 also includes an armor/damage system *very* similar to the one used in
Harnmaster (it might even be more complex, if that's possible).  Now, I like
Harnmaster a lot, but melding it with AD&D might have been a mistake.

Now that I think about it, AD&D3's magic system has more than a few similar-
ities to Harnmaster too.  Gosh, maybe Columbia Games ought to consider a
lawsuit? ;)  The problem with ripping off Harnmaster is that they let Gary
Gygax do it.  The rules might play like Harnmaster, but they *read* like
AD&D1.  It's a really hard feeling to shake.

Surprisingly (to me at least), I might actually play this game.  The possible
characters look interesting.  The rules only appear to need minor alterations
to be playable (like doing away with "BUCs," the generic currency).  AD&D
style spells might be boring, but they're not useless.  Some of the game world
is included and, despite the fact that Aerth looks STUPID (especially the
really queer parts about "Phaeree" and the "Underdark"), it actually turns out
not to be as stupid as the Forgotten Realms.  It might even be fun (I'm
*eager* to see the fantasy Native Americans!).

In short, then, my review is "mixed." :)

DREAM PARK

Wow.  This is COOL.  Simple, fast-paced, cinematic gaming action!  Appealing
graphics!  Terrific character options!  Neat, playable adventures!

Now, I don't know if I'd ever run a game of DREAM PARK using the actual
Dream Park concept -- you're a real person playing a character who's a real
person who's playing a high-tech live-action role-playing game.  I'm not sure
that would make for a sustainable campaign premise (though it might be cool
to get out every so often ... it's not as silly as IT CAME FROM THE LATE
LATE LATE SHOW; rather, it's just like the novels: serious games played by
serious gamers).  However, DREAM PARK is a great rules system for generic
(albeit humanocentric) role-playing, assuming you're more interested in the
story than in the game mechanics.

HERO/GURPS fanatics might wince at the simplicity of the rules, or they might
study the magic/weapons/abilities to find opportunities to power-game (there
have to be some, somewhere, right? :), but if you've ever wanted to run a
multi-genre game and got sick reading HERO/GURPS, then this may be the game
for you.  Buy now, ask questions later: this game looks FUN!

Lucky for you all, neither of these games came shrink-wrapped.  Take a look
for yourselves!
 
-- 
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Christopher Pound                                          cbp@reef.cis.ufl.edu

      Look closely at this message. Can you see that it's a reproduction?