Shadowrun (Shadowrun)

Rating:
Summary: One of the best pnp games ever.
Review: Shadowrun, along with DnD and Vampire, are the top 3 pnp games ever created.

The world of Shadowrun, which was borrowed tremendously by the Matrix movies, is chock full of style, grit, and character.
The games environment is truly unique and a joy to play.

If you want a easy to play sci-fi game, with a highly fleshed out fantasy world, then pick up Shadowrun. You wont be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Running in the Shadows
Review: The year is 2060 and Megacorps rule the world. Governments are weakened and factions are rising that have consolidated territory for themselves. Man and machine now run in harmony from the computer generated world of the Matrix to replacing limbs or body parts for the newest, grooviest and deadliest piece of hardware. But more importantly the most Earth shattering change to life as we know it is the return of magic.

The new awakening has given rise to the return of old races. Elves, Dwarves, Orks and Trolls walk among us. Magic can now be wielded like a tool by Shamans and Adepts. Mundanes are not without there own arsenal with many deadly weapons from pistols to heavy cannons.

I love Shadowrun, it mixes the cyberpunk culture with Elves, Orks and magic very nicely. The combat system is a welcome divergence from the tired D20 system. This RPG game has a great setting and a good system which has given many players and GM's hours of fun. A good thing is that you can run Shadowrun just from this one book, which leaves supplements as an option not a necessity.

Rating:
Summary: Shadowrun is great
Review: This is my favorite Role Playing Game. The system is phenominal for those willing to put the effort into using it. I love the free formed and abstract nature of the rules. It really puts the game in the hands of the player but also balanced so that the Game Master still has over all control. Im not saying that this game is easy by any stretch because it is role play heavy. It has plenty moments for action but their is also alot of interaction with NPC's to be had. So to those used to more ridged (and by ridged I mean that you only have specific choices you can make given a particular character class) systems like D20, its much harder to get used to the freedom. I mean you use a priority based character creation system. Selecting your options from most important to you to least. Then you used the amount of "points" you chose for attributes, skills, magic if you choose, and spend your money as you choose. You can choose any skill and any spell. You can buy any weapon or item you want (well their are rules governing what you can buy but their has to be some kind of rule). The game is an experience that really is hard to explain. But, it is well worth the time. If you don't like the blandness of D20 Modern or the confines of the d20 system try this out. Heck try it out anyway its great. I personally find this a breath of fresh air.

Rating:
Summary: The Current Must-Get Battletech Book
Review: Unless you're an extremely casual Battletech player (as in maybe play once a year and with interest in playing outside family), skip the Classic Battletech Boxed Set and go straight here, do not pass Go. The Classic 'Tech box contains the very minimum to play, but to really get rolling as well as use any of the 'Mechs in the Technical Readouts, this is the book to go with. Includes all the rules to play any game up to tournament level, including miniature scale play, create your own 'Mechs or use 'Mechs from the Record Sheets or Technical Readouts. Literally a must-have for playing Battletech.