Reviews – Page 10 – Seawolf's Den

Dungeon Crawl Classics

Posted on July 26, 2013December 21, 2022 by Ron McClung

So I really don’t play very many RPGs anymore, but with the “old school renaissance” happening I’ve found myself checking RPGs out more and more. After much “huzzahs” and “hey nonny nonnies” from my friend about Dungeon Crawl Classics or DCC, I decided to check it out for myself. When you first see the book, don’t let its size intimidate you, although I still wouldn’t recommend dropping it on your foot. The book is basically everything you need to play. It’s player’s manual, bestiary and magic tome rolled all into one. DCC definitely takes its cue from the original D&D and AD&D, but without THACO.

Free RPG Day Reviews

Posted on June 29, 2013December 20, 2022 by Ron McClung

There is a local gaming store that actively supports my efforts in area cons and the Charlotte area gaming community. I met Ryan when he wanted to run Warmachine demos for one of my MACE events. He now runs Above Board Games (ABG) in Fort Mill, SC, one of the best gaming stores in the area. Every year, Ryan buys at least one packet for the Free RPG Day and even though something always seems to prevent me from participating, he still gives me the leftovers from what he bought – which is usually a lot, unfortunately. I use it to give these leftovers out as door prizes and SWAG to my GMs at MACE and other events (depending on how long it lasts), which they do appreciate. I really try to give a little extra to my GMs but with my limited budget and limited donations it’s not always a lot.

Spartacus – A Game of Blood and Treachery

Posted on June 22, 2013December 21, 2022 by Ron McClung

Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery is a new Board Game from Gale Force Nine. Most people that know me will tell you that I am a huge fan of this show. I was heartbroken when it ended, although I knew it was coming and the ending was not going to be a happy one. When I had heard there was going to be a board game, I was skeptical. Many board games that tie in to shows like this are just terrible – not a lot of thought is put into the design, and they are simply trying to capitalize on a new fad. Once the show is over, the game will just collect dust and you have no desire to play it again.

The guys of Card Board Stash demo’ed this game for me, despite my reservations. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can tell you now that this game’s entertainment value can outlast the show considerably. It is a fantastic game and in this review, I hope to tell you why.

Origins 2013: Mechjocks & Battletech Pods

Posted on June 21, 2013March 4, 2025 by Ron McClung

One of the more interesting and cool items at Origins 2013 that deserves special mention are from the guys at Mechjock.com and Virtual World. Set up in the main hallway in the convention center were 6 (or 7, I can’t recall) pods that just looked awesome. All around it were logos, posters and video screens displaying Battletech ‘mechs and Battletech combat. I thought it was some new Battletech simulator game being released at Origins. However, it turns out that it’s not something new but it is still very cool.

Earthdawn 3rd Edition Player’s Guide

Posted on June 20, 2013December 21, 2022 by Ron McClung

Earthdawn 3rd Edition Player’s Guide is a new RPG Core Player’s Guide from Redbrick Limited/FASA Games. I have had a few PDFs in my archives that were given to me to review but due to unforeseen life complications, I was not able to. I felt I owed those products a review and since I have started Gamer’s Codex, I have gone back in my archives and found a number of those products. Earthdawn 3rd Edition Player’s Guide is one of them. Since I received this, the original publisher Redbrick Limited has folded and what remained has been rolled up into a new reborn FASA Games, Inc. Ironically, this is the only original FASA property they retain. The other properties supported by Redbrick are now with FASA, including Blue Planet and Fading Suns, but slow progress is being made on those.

Afterthoughts of Origins: Con Energy

Posted on June 18, 2013March 3, 2025 by Ron McClung

Now that a little time has passed since my trip to Origins, some more thoughts have been forming in my head that I thought I should write down based on some of my daily posts and my experience at Origins. In some ways this is an analysis of what I experienced at Origins and in others it is an overall discussion of con energy and signs there are problems. It is not a condemnation of Origins and all their hard work. They did a great job! Origins was well organized, even when things like a fire threw the proverbial monkey wrench in the works. They really di well in general and I do not mean to take away from that.

Origins 2013 Report -Day 4: Final Day

Posted on June 16, 2013March 4, 2025 by Ron McClung

Saturday, June 15, I had a noon game of Savage Worlds – Space:1889. I was really looking forward to that because I really wanted a much more satisfying RPG than the first one. The board games so far have been very satisfying but the RPGs have not.

Origins 2013 Report – Day 3: A Good Day

Posted on June 16, 2013March 4, 2025 by Ron McClung

Friday, June 14 started bright and early for me again as I had a 9 AM game. I was really looking forward to it because it was Fortress America, one of my favorite games. My hope was that I would play with some experienced players and get a good game in. That was not entirely what happened but it still was a very good game.

Origins 2013 Report – Day 2: First Full Day

Posted on June 14, 2013March 4, 2025 by Ron McClung

My second day at Origins – my first full day in truth has been a mixed bag, much like the day before. It started fairly early because we wanted to get a good breakfast before being there when the doors open for the dealers room/vendor hall. Before leaving for breakfast, however, I wanted to check out my tickets since I had not heard from Customer Service about them. It took a matter of 15 minutes to get my tickets, which they had to re-print, and cash in my generics for chips. A very good start to the day.

Origins 2013 Report – Arrival Day

Posted on June 13, 2013March 4, 2025 by Ron McClung

Wednesday. June 12. Arrival Day

When a friend of mine, Heath Medlin, asked me to attend Origins with him, I jumped at the chance. We had attended GenCon together (with another friend, Neil Spicer) back in 2008 and that was one of my bucket list things to do. Attending Origins at least once was another one of those bucket list things.