| The reviewer's words... | Thoughts of the author... |
| Player Review | This review is from the other side of the table--how do you like it as a player? |
| Hi. Let me introduce myself. My name is Chris Jones, and I have been involved in role-playing games for over 13 years, been to game con, and have tried to play everything from pen and paper to computer RPGs, although I must say I favor the D&D type games and worlds that deal with magic and a little mystery. But now I have to tell you about the new game system I've found. | He has some experience under his belt. |
| I have been following this game for a number of years, even before it was seriously being considered to be published. Many a night I can remember spending at the local donut shop and playing for hours upon hours. Through all the years playing there is one thing I can say about the game that no other game (that I have found) can claim. No matter who GM's it, plays it, or comes up with a new idea, it is never close to being the same game twice. Not once in all the years have I said, "Oh, this reminds me of a scenario I played a while back". This game is as close to endless as you can get. I have played D&D, White Wolf and other game systems as well but they are limited in their own ways. Don't get me wrong--I am not saying that Multiverser is not limited; it is just that it goes beyond the typical "I" and role playing games we are used to. I feel if given the chance Multiverser can prove itself and become one of the big boys as well. | He has seen the game from the other side of the table; unlike most reviewers, he didn't read the rules first--he played the game. This should be interesting--after all, although referees run the game, it's the players who really enjoy it. |
| Let me explain a little about the game. The whole idea is you play yourself, which classifies this as a "I" game. Then somehow you get infected with a substance called scriff and are transported somewhere in the multiverse. Nagaworld is the first place everyone ends up at, but I will not to go into it. You have to experience it yourself. Now it is up to you where you go and you choose your own path. There is no set scenario that you have to follow, even in, like, a story world where there is a plot to follow. It is more fun to follow it, but nothing says you have to; and the GM might try to make you follow it, but it is up to you. | When was the last time you felt like your character could do whatever he wanted, instead of having to pursue the referee's script? |
| Ok, let me explain the concept of worlds a little. It's sort of like making D&D worlds, or you can just pick your favorite story and make the person you are running the main character. I played in many story worlds, like If Looks Could Kill and The Prisoner of Zenda. Also, I know of other worlds that have been run, like The Most Dangerous Game and all types of gangster worlds. But let's not forget my favorite type, like magic and psi worlds. But when I think about it, the space scenarios are always fun as well. There is just so much you can do with it and integrate any other system on the market into it to play as a scenario. | If I'm reading this right, he says that the concept of the worlds is that they can be anything at all--any type, any story, any game. |
| Ok, there was the hype; now, like every games system, it has its drawbacks. | Here comes the trouble. |
| First off, the manuals are huge, and I mean huge. They are just packed with so much information that you should have. Hmm wait--that isn't a draw back; that means that you don't need to buy any other books or supplements except for the worlds if you even need them. Ok, lets see. | So if you aren't interested in buying a complete game system, don't buy this one--get something you can spend hundreds of dollars on, bit by bit. |
| Ok, the system is complex in a way. On second thought, once you get used to it and use it, it comes like second nature. So I guess that isn't a draw back either. Well, it isn't the easiest system in the world to learn, but it really isn't the hardest either. Everything fits well together, and if there is one thing that can't be said about it, it is that it is not complete. In the manuals you get a complete list of skills, spells, psi skills, and everything in between. This game is a challenge to GMs and players alike. | It certainly doesn't oversimplify things--we're glad he finds it easy to use (we do, too). |
| If anyone has any problems or questions on it they can just send an email and someone would get back to them with an answer. Everyone involved is willing to help any way they can. Well, go by the web site and check it out. If you love role-playing games as much as I do, or even if you are new to the whole thing, Multiverser is great for everyone. | The company is pleased with its track record to date--every question so far has been answered, and many of the answers have been added to the web site. |
| Thanx for your time, and if you have any questions on the game or just like to comment on my review, then you can Email me. | We're glad he's made himself available; you can write to Valdron Inc., too--I've answered a lot of the questions myself. |
| Christopher R. Jones | Thanks for the insights! |
Mr. Jones posted his review on his own web site, and let us know it was there; we were glad to copy it to our site, and link to his. His site has since moved, and his copy of the review lost in the shuffle, but it's still here.
The Multiverser Information Center