tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post3752273884486056701..comments2024-03-28T05:02:45.682-07:00Comments on Between the Bolter and Me: Deadzone (Mantic): Digital Rulebook ImpressionsAdam Wierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710889303035437886noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-84809194777988185222013-12-01T17:47:13.136-08:002013-12-01T17:47:13.136-08:00Yeah, a lot of the elements of the book were very ...Yeah, a lot of the elements of the book were very high quality. Perhaps the best part was the inclusion of painted versions of the models. I feel this particularly stands out when games like Malifaux (which I just started to play!) have no images of their models. Which is a shame because more then most companies, their models are excellent.<br /><br />Regardless, I am excited to see how Deadzone progresses. And maybe I will even get the boxed game in a few weeks, and can give a more formal review!Eric Wierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01276836738624222147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-59337909671948186322013-12-01T12:17:28.806-08:002013-12-01T12:17:28.806-08:00Another thanks for a good review!!! I am currentl...Another thanks for a good review!!! I am currently reading through the digital rules (although this version has the stat cards for each current faction) and I totally agree with your assessment.. a lot of other games I have looked at/read/or played like Vor, Void/Urban War, and of course Necromunda/40K style games have had better writing that draws you in.. although I do agree that it looks like Mantic was focused on simple rules and getting the game out to it's kickstarter supporters more than developing too much fluff. That said, I did find the layout and the impressive pictures of models and terrain from a variety of angles to be quite impressive and kind of at odds with the quality of the "fluff" and fiction... JAHATCH28https://www.blogger.com/profile/11454341539851352760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-20242208811777079382013-11-24T11:54:43.698-08:002013-11-24T11:54:43.698-08:00Thanks for reading the post! I too see parallels ...Thanks for reading the post! I too see parallels to Necromunda. Although, I suppose most futuristic urban skirmish games are going to, it was so iconic a game :)<br /><br />Yeah, it is neat that Mantic is open for fan written fiction, as it builds a stronger community. I recently learned that they are putting a compilation book that is to contain a lot of background material, some of which I am sure is written by fans. <br /><br />I still feel they would benefit greatly from a good editor, one that ensures everything that gets printed does not have needless spelling errors and maintains a similar tone. For the main rulebook, something everyone who wants to play will likely read, I think really strong writing would bring more people to the game, so I was surprised by the general lack of quality in the core rulebook.Eric Wierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01276836738624222147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-89731837459820555732013-11-22T13:43:39.020-08:002013-11-22T13:43:39.020-08:00It's pretty obvious that this game takes its q...It's pretty obvious that this game takes its queues from Necromunda. Having generic guns gives less cool things to level.<br /><br />That said, it is possible to create good variety with simple stats and a handful of special rules.<br /><br />As for the writing quality of the fluff I'm torn. Isn't the appeal of Mantic that they are a bunch of miniature wargame fans putting out the kind of games they want to play? Having fluff that reads like mediocre fan-fiction is going to happen.<br /><br />However it really bugs me to read bad prose.Coyotebdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08509083931128526136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-87147548063251760692013-11-17T22:17:57.121-08:002013-11-17T22:17:57.121-08:00Thanks for reading the post and taking the time to...Thanks for reading the post and taking the time to comment! I was a little uncertain how to approach this review, because while overall I was happy with the game, I had some serious reservations about a few elements (primarily how they handled the background material), and wanted to convey that without being immediately written off by the Deadzone community.<br /><br />There was a noticeable drop in writing quality from the rules to the background material. It is not that what they talk about is inherently bad (I am first to admit that there are a lot of stupid elements in Warhammer 40k), just that how it is portrayed in the Deadzone book made it very hard for me to take seriously.<br /><br />You make a good point about keeping the nomenclature simple for the weapons, as too much might just clutter the intuitive system. I still would have liked to see a little more variety. What is a good science fiction setting without lots of guns?! :) Eric Wierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01276836738624222147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901426566557963132.post-65962119707393484982013-11-17T00:19:31.223-08:002013-11-17T00:19:31.223-08:00Normally when you read reviews on the internet of ...Normally when you read reviews on the internet of games you get a splurge of half thought through sentences and no real understanding of what the author thought. You're left bewildered and muddled over what exactly is wrong with the game. <br /><br />On reading this review, I'm rather pleased the impression is the exact opposite. I know the gameplay is solid, but the setting lacklustre. I know why - the card format, but not including them, the uninspiring fluff and that the game feels rushed to market. <br /><br />I imagine that was to meet a Christmas deadline and get the thing into shops. I'm fairly certain the generic terms were used to prevent people getting bogged down in complexity - at least initially. While I love the name "Irad phase cleanser" I've no idea what it does - I can understand that a pistol is weaker than a rifle, a heavy rifle better than a rifle. <br /><br />However, an excellent review.pegboardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181689355785748593noreply@blogger.com