You Pick It—I Review It: GenCon Edition
GenCon is just under 2 weeks away, and I am in full swing making my final shopping list, when I noticed that I had forgotten about all of you guys who are not going to be able to attend. So for all of you that cannot attend, I wanted to do something for you.
One of the great parts to GenCon is the convention floor. It is row after row of gaming stuff; booth after booth of games, dice, miniatures. I love to shop at GenCon. My favorite, is to find new games and gaming accessories, while getting a chance to talk to the creators.
Since US federal laws prevent surgeons from implanting video into my head and share the experience with you, virtually, I am going to do the next best thing. I want to go out on the convention floor and find something that you are curious about, and bring it home to review for you.
So today, I want you to choose what product I should pick-up and review. Now don’t get crazy I do have a few conditions:
- RPG Rules or Gaming Accessory only—While I like board games, card games, and such, the Stew is an RPG blog, so lets keep it to an RPG rulebook or gaming accessory. I would rather not review an adventure either since they rarely are meaty enough for a full review.
- Something new—While just about anything can be found out on the convention floor, I am not going to review the AD&D A-Series adventures (though they are awesome). Please pick something that has recently come out that you have not had a chance to pick up at your local gaming store.
- Something we have not reviewed before– While we are not product review site, we have had the chance to do some great reviews. Check out our Review section for all our past reviews. Obviously, don’t pick one of those.
- Lets not break the bank—While I love you guys, my bank account has its limits. So lets keep this to about $30.
Now with those parameters in mind, I leave it up to you to figure out what I should review. In the comments section, put down your choice of what you would like me to pick up. On Monday, I will announce the item that I am going to pick up, and after GenCon I will put together a review of the item for you.
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26 Comments, Comment or Ping
Rob Lang
How about Dominion Rules 3.1. Release this year and you’ve not reviewed it.
Oh, and it’s free!
http://dominionrules.org/
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
mhensley
Give HackMaster Basic a try. It’s:
A. New – just came out last month.
B. Cheap – just $20.
C. Did I mention it’s awesome?
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
RedBaron96
Here’s another vote for HackMaster Basic. Combat rocks! All the rules you need to run the game are all in one book.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
theEmrys
I’d definitely add a vote for HackMaster Basic. What I’ve tried so far is awesome and it’s a great time to get in on the ground floor.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
MountZionRyan
I vote for Realms of Cthulhu by Reality Blurs (Savage Worlds+Call of Cthulhu=Awesome!)
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Revil Fox
Hackmaster Basic would be great!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
davethegame
It is an adventure (though possibly a game too?) but I really want to read a review of John Wick’s Yellow Sign.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Weezoh
Reality Blurs’ Realms of Cthulhu here too!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
DrOct
Realms of Cthulhu get’s my vote!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Aramax
Cthulu-Cthulu-Cthulu!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
jeff
Another vote for Hackmaster Basic!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Troy E. Taylor
Give those boys at Kenzer some love. I add my vote for Hackmaster-Basic. That is, if I get a vote. (Checking Gnome Stew bylaws ….. Hmmmmmm).
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
DNAphil
Ok…the voting as it stands:
Hackmaster Basic: 6
Realms of Cthulhu: 5
Dominion: 1
Yellow Sign: 1
Its a close race so far…lets see how the weekend shakes out.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Liverpuncher
I’d like you to review Hackmaster Basic. I’ve read the rules – but we’d be interested to read your take on the next generation of Hackmaster.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
Muscar68
HackMaster …… Duh!
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
BigYAvenger
Hackmaster Basic.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
chatdemon
Just one question.
What’s the point of asking for a review of something you obviously already own and enjoy?
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
DNAphil
@chatdemon– For sure it sounds like Liverpuncher has read the rules, and sounds like he want’s the Gnome take on them. For some of the others who have commented, I think many, like myself, have read some of promotional material that has been released for Hackmaster Basic, but have not had the chance to get their hands on the whole book.
For those that are rooting for Realms of Cthulhu, is that book out yet? I was checking out Reality Blurs site and there is no indication that is it out or that it will be out at GenCon. Thinking I will fire off a quick email to the site and see what’s up.
Thanks for the votes so far…looks like Hackmaster has still got the lead.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
chatdemon
@DNAphil –
I wasn’t directing that at anyone in particular. Like you, I’ve read the previews and whatnot for HB, but I decided it’s too different from Hackmaster4e for my tastes.
The review I’d like to see is probably the long awaited full release version of Pathfinder RPG, so I can decide whether to buy it for use as optional material for my 3.5 D&D game.
My point was just that for me, once I’ve bought and enjoyed a product, I really don’t care what the reviewers think.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
DNAphil
@chatdemon– I have to say that for Hackmaster I am curious about the changes in the combat system, it seems a real departure from the previous version. I am also curious to see how the tone of the game has changed from the previous version.
As for reviews after the purchase, I would say that what I get out of them, is a chance to see if I agree with the writer. So if I really love a game, and then read a review of it, I find it interesting how someone else has read the book and had such a different view of the game. It becomes less about what I think about the book and more about what I think about the reviewer’s take on the book.
Jul 31st, 2009 - Link
ProfessorMass
Hero System 6th Edition, please. It’s supposed to be on the floor in PDF on CDs.
Aug 1st, 2009 - Link
Weezoh
@DNAphil – Advanced copies are supposed to be there at Gen Con for Realms of Cthulhu. It will be brand spankin’ new.
Aug 1st, 2009 - Link
Tamburlain
Please consider reviewing the 2nd ed. of ‘Victoriana’, which was just released in July.
Aug 1st, 2009 - Link
Storyteller
I would personally like to get another voice or two reviewing Gaming Paper. http://www.gamingpaper.com/
It’s cheap and I know they’ll be selling it. A review would be greatly appreciated! I’m right on the fence about buying it.
Aug 2nd, 2009 - Link
Ulairi
HackMaster Basic gets my vote.
Aug 2nd, 2009 - Link
NiallNai
Another vote for Realms of Cthulhu.
If I’m allowed a second, I’ll throw in Eclipse Phase if they have advanced copies there.
Aug 3rd, 2009 - Link
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