Rating: 
Summary: What it should have been in the first place
Review: Whether you like the idea of a 3.5 version or not you have to admit that the overhaul the DMG recieved it is well worth the revision. This version is much more friendly to new DMs but it still serves well the seasoned DMs. The layout of the book is much better organized than its predecesor and the many extra pages are full of the goodies that make this volume a must for all D&D campaigns. I for one am glad that they have done an update especially with the DMG
Rating:
Summary: a good all around upgrade
Review: while its nowhere near as big of an upgrade as 2.0 to 3.0, its not meant to be. every change i can find is a good one and/or happened for a good reason, as well as confusing rules being clarified, the book being better organized, etc. the only bad thing about this book is that some key stuff is in a rather different place(eg the experience and treasure tables) than it was in 3.0. but once you get used to the new placement, theres absolutely nothing bad about this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Really deserves the 3.5 title
Review: Wizards of the Coast made a good marketing move by releasing a revision of its most well known rpg, not only it can increase sales but it is supposed to make the game system even better. Thats not exactly what happens when you fire the original game designers and put new people to revise it. Its kinda like making some newbie fantasy author reviewing Harry Potter books and releasing updated versions. How can you really revise something you didnt create? Perhaps by talking with the authors, but not even that occured as Monte Cook said on his review.Theres are lots of good news though, like the urgent fix on Harm, Heal and Haste spells; The downgrading on wizards power by reducing the ammount of spell DC augnment on bumping feats/class abilities; The total redisign on Ranger and Monk classes; and so on... But... There are some terrible terrible mistakes. Like making weapons vary with size (like small longsword and large longsword, which in fact is the same as a great swrod); Combat rules even more tied to miniatures system (looks like a war game, and not everyone likes miniatures or can afford tons of them); Some weird racial abilities (half elves now gain bonuses to diplomacy skills because they "get along with everyone" ??);
Clerics got even more powers with mass healing/harming spells; etc... Overall its 3.5 stars for 3.5 edition. But because you have to pay 90 bucks for the 3 books I give 3 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Stay Away
Review: You can still find copies of the original AD&D rules. Find them and play the game it was meant to be played.
d20 is awkward, ugly and patently unfun.
Avoid this version at all costs and use a system where roleplaying is key, not superhuman feats.
Rating:
Summary: The DMG, core rule book II...
Review: You may or may not have seen my reveiw of the the players handbook. (If not, click on the link above). If so, then you know that I have a set of old ADnD books, and I think that 3.5 is a much better game system. The ADnD DMG had very little information on how to actually be a DM, it was just stuff the DM needs. Other then treasure tables, monster tables, and a bit about NPCs and campaingns, it is mostly a rehash of the PHB.
Many people think that they can bring the score of the 3.5 books down by posting the same review on all 3 core books. There's the "I've been playing DnD since the 70's, and this book sucks" type of reviews, the same one on all three books. C'mon, people!
That said, I, being more of a DM then a player, feel that the 3.5 DMG is a far better resource then the ADnD one. It covers the essential material, including HOW TO BE A DM! That's what should be in a DUNGEON MASTER'S GUIDE, don't you think?
There is also the reveiw that says the game is being changed to suit a "console gamer" generation. As someone who was not around in the 70's, I really can't say much on that statement, but I will say this... The books may have been changed that way, but that's the way the human race has evolved. In another ten years, there will probaly be a new addtion to the game, suited for the teens of that age, and those of us who are teens now will probaly be talking about how stupid it is.
As a closing note: No one is forcing you to change. We "younger" gamers may find 3.5 to be the addtion that we like, but if you want to paly an older addtion, no one's stopping you.
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