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Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Level Up a review
Ok, I just finished reading the first issue of Level Up from Goodman Games. And I have decided to break my review do by column.
One thing that caught my eye and I’m sure in this day and age will catch others is the price. $1.99 newsstand and $4.00 for a mailed copy is outstanding. Granted the issue is only 55 pages long with about 15% of the space of ads, making it a lot smaller then Dragon used to be. But still is well worth it.
Let me say a few things about it in general terms. I love the cover art. It is a great painting for sure. It was done by James Ryman. I hope to see more like this one in the future.
The cover stock is fairly thin. I would like to see a bit thinker card stock cover but the pages are good. Inside is all black and white, which is fine in most cases.
The layout is very good and the fact that each issue also comes with a one time download code for a PDF file of that issue is also a great bonus!
Inside Issue One
Columns:
Editorial
Wizard’s Corner
Jack’s Ultrashort Reviews
4E Toolkit
Dear Archmage Abby
Features:
Road to adventure
PC Pearls
Blackdirge’s Bestiary
Deities of Aereth
Azagar’s Advice for Adventures
GM Gems
Powerskins
A Picture tells a 1, 000 Words
D20 Questions
First the columns
Editorial-I some times don’t pay much attention to these in magazines but with it being the first issue I thought I’d make sure I read it. And I’m glad I did. It does a great job telling you about the future issues and describes the functions of all the columns that will appear in the future issues.
Wizard’s corner-This contains a great article on the fact that you should never split the party. Makes me laugh and think of some of the great games I’ve played with split parties.
Jack’s Ultra Short Reviews-This is a very good idea to have in a magazine such as this. I love the write ups on the different books he talks about. The only thing I’m a little confused about is the way he writes and the number of stars used to rate the books don’t seem to fit every time, leaving the rating scale shaky.
4E Toolkit-Fun little random table. This column could be fun later on too.
Dear Archmage Abby-Kind of a flash back to Sage’s advice. A must column again for a RPG magazine.
Now for the features:
Road to adventure.-This is a short well thought out adventure area with avenues to make a whole adventure out of it. It has a great short story line leading up to the beginning.
PC Pearls-Some nice new subclasses for warriors.
Blackdirges’s Bestiary-For those of you old enough to remember the 2nd edition MM2 you will get a kick out of the return of some dino friends here. And no I don’t like "Behemoth" as the new term for Dinosaur’s.
Deities of Aereth-by Jeff LaSala-A new lawful deity named GORHAN. This is one of the best articles in the magazine in my opinion. For one reason. It is complete. Very well thought out and detailed. I will like to see the writer of this feature make a lot more appearances in this magazine.
Azagar’s Advice for Adventures-This is my second choice for the best in the book. I got a laugh out of how this feature is written and the intro to it. Beware the language, it is right on the edge of being rated R. A very cool write up on the weapons you should choose as a melee character.
GM Gems-This ones called "Fiendish Foes"- a good new undead trio for your 4E campaign. It also has example creatures already written up for you.
Powerskins-"Re-skinning" powers to fit other campaign worlds. I’ll let you all decide on this feature. I think it’s a good idea for a very detail oriented DM or PC but I’m not sure I’d take the time to use this.
A Picture tells 1, 000 Words-I a nut shell they take an illustration and make an encounter or plot line out of it. This feature has tons of potential. I love the idea and the first ones not too bad. I would like to see them use actual paintings also.
D20 Questions-Questions for the game industry people. Of course, a Goodman games writer is first up. Adrian Pommier. Again, a must to make the magazine complete.
Over All Grade: A-
I would love three things in this magazine. The first is for it to be bigger. Maybe another 20 pages. Everyone will say that! Second, color. Not full color but some. And the third thing, which won’t happen because it’s not in the format, 3.x edition stuff or "generalized" content that can be used in all versions of the game.
I would highly recommend trying this magazine! I am as impressed with this as I was and am with Kolbold. Which I also recommend.
Let me and everyone else know what you think.
One thing that caught my eye and I’m sure in this day and age will catch others is the price. $1.99 newsstand and $4.00 for a mailed copy is outstanding. Granted the issue is only 55 pages long with about 15% of the space of ads, making it a lot smaller then Dragon used to be. But still is well worth it.
Let me say a few things about it in general terms. I love the cover art. It is a great painting for sure. It was done by James Ryman. I hope to see more like this one in the future.
The cover stock is fairly thin. I would like to see a bit thinker card stock cover but the pages are good. Inside is all black and white, which is fine in most cases.
The layout is very good and the fact that each issue also comes with a one time download code for a PDF file of that issue is also a great bonus!
Inside Issue One
Columns:
Editorial
Wizard’s Corner
Jack’s Ultrashort Reviews
4E Toolkit
Dear Archmage Abby
Features:
Road to adventure
PC Pearls
Blackdirge’s Bestiary
Deities of Aereth
Azagar’s Advice for Adventures
GM Gems
Powerskins
A Picture tells a 1, 000 Words
D20 Questions
First the columns
Editorial-I some times don’t pay much attention to these in magazines but with it being the first issue I thought I’d make sure I read it. And I’m glad I did. It does a great job telling you about the future issues and describes the functions of all the columns that will appear in the future issues.
Wizard’s corner-This contains a great article on the fact that you should never split the party. Makes me laugh and think of some of the great games I’ve played with split parties.
Jack’s Ultra Short Reviews-This is a very good idea to have in a magazine such as this. I love the write ups on the different books he talks about. The only thing I’m a little confused about is the way he writes and the number of stars used to rate the books don’t seem to fit every time, leaving the rating scale shaky.
4E Toolkit-Fun little random table. This column could be fun later on too.
Dear Archmage Abby-Kind of a flash back to Sage’s advice. A must column again for a RPG magazine.
Now for the features:
Road to adventure.-This is a short well thought out adventure area with avenues to make a whole adventure out of it. It has a great short story line leading up to the beginning.
PC Pearls-Some nice new subclasses for warriors.
Blackdirges’s Bestiary-For those of you old enough to remember the 2nd edition MM2 you will get a kick out of the return of some dino friends here. And no I don’t like "Behemoth" as the new term for Dinosaur’s.
Deities of Aereth-by Jeff LaSala-A new lawful deity named GORHAN. This is one of the best articles in the magazine in my opinion. For one reason. It is complete. Very well thought out and detailed. I will like to see the writer of this feature make a lot more appearances in this magazine.
Azagar’s Advice for Adventures-This is my second choice for the best in the book. I got a laugh out of how this feature is written and the intro to it. Beware the language, it is right on the edge of being rated R. A very cool write up on the weapons you should choose as a melee character.
GM Gems-This ones called "Fiendish Foes"- a good new undead trio for your 4E campaign. It also has example creatures already written up for you.
Powerskins-"Re-skinning" powers to fit other campaign worlds. I’ll let you all decide on this feature. I think it’s a good idea for a very detail oriented DM or PC but I’m not sure I’d take the time to use this.
A Picture tells 1, 000 Words-I a nut shell they take an illustration and make an encounter or plot line out of it. This feature has tons of potential. I love the idea and the first ones not too bad. I would like to see them use actual paintings also.
D20 Questions-Questions for the game industry people. Of course, a Goodman games writer is first up. Adrian Pommier. Again, a must to make the magazine complete.
Over All Grade: A-
I would love three things in this magazine. The first is for it to be bigger. Maybe another 20 pages. Everyone will say that! Second, color. Not full color but some. And the third thing, which won’t happen because it’s not in the format, 3.x edition stuff or "generalized" content that can be used in all versions of the game.
I would highly recommend trying this magazine! I am as impressed with this as I was and am with Kolbold. Which I also recommend.
Let me and everyone else know what you think.
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