As introduced here, I will post mini-reviews of RPGs and MMORPGs during the whole week while I prepare for Draconis, my local gaming convention.
Swords & Wizardry
What it is
A clone of the original, 1974 version of Dungeons & Dragons (often referred to as 0th edition). It includes all the non-proprietary elements of the three original D&D booklets and selected material from the supplements. It is a self-contained fully playable game whose re-write make it easily understandable and more usable than the original game. It includes full character generation rules (5 classes, 3 races), equipment, cleric and wizard spells and full bestiary. Along with the Quick Start Rules, the game offers a completely free way to play an old school game within minutes.
What I liked about it
Considering that I’m a new schooler with reservations about some elements of older editions of D&D (mainly 1 and 2e), I’m surprised that so little about S&W’s rules bugged me. At its roots, it is a very simple, very rules light game with colossal potential for fast and furious fun. The game also begs for customization, it is so bare bones (yet playable) that you almost automatically start making house rules as you play. All in all, it brings back in full force some elements that newer versions of D&D put less focus on like exploration, experimenting with unknown elements (without skills) and dungeon wide strategy during combat. I love this game and I will play this with my kids before I teach them 4e.
What I disliked about it
In spite of the excellent re-write, some small elements are still missing like combat stats for fighting hirelings. This is mostly minor stuff. One aspect that bugs my new schooler sensibilities is the preachy tone that the book takes whenever it extols the virtues of Old School gaming. While I understand the necessities of ‘converting the unbelievers’ for a first generation retro-clone (you work it out) sometimes it just grates on my nerves. I didn’t want to be told again and again that I didn’t need many rules or that I don’t need skills or that this game is different from newer versions. The game sells itself on it’s simplicity and very enthusiastic following, the sermons aren’t necessary. I’d recommend a second edition with a different editorial voice, one that extols what can be done with the system over how different from it’s current “predecessors”.
What it boils down to…
I bought four copies of the game book on Lulu and I play it occasionally with my 4e friends, ’nuff said.
You can find links to download or buy Swords & Wizardry here. I also strongly suggest the excellent Quick-Start Rules which you can find here.
Good call man … good article and hopefully folks will partake of the free PDF of an awesome game!! I hear what your saying about the game being preachy about the virtues of “old school” games vs. “new school.” What I will say in response though is I think your the exception and not the rule. Clearly your a well read very intelligent gamer who thinks things out, reads and understands the designs of games. From my experience so many new gamers and/or younger gamers are verging on incapable of coming up with their own rules or modifications to games. Look at the ranting and raving raging across the internet between the 4E fans vs. the 3.5/Pathfinder fans … half of the comments are reguarding “well this isn’t in the rules or that isn’t” … so what if it isn’t in the rules, if you know its not in the rules and feel the need … go ahead and mod them up … sheesh. I don’t really care for $50 dollar rule books that are 500 pages due to DM/GMs being incapable of running a game in situations without rules. My reply to you aside … a second edition would be cool … especially if it came in a boxed set with old school dice and a white crayon that you need to use to color the numbers in … then I’d be in retro heaven 🙂
I have the same problem with the editorial tone, but I do like the rules system. Those reading Swords & Wizardry are already open to retro gaming and the lecturing tone is more a turn-off than anything else. The rules are well done, though, and a lot of fun to play around with. I also like the free PDF option.
.-= Will´s last blog ..The Hershey Auto Show =-.
Amen and amen on the “author’s voice” in this book and the bad taste thereof.
I already play “old school” games and went to some considerable lengths to acquire a copy of S&W that wouldn’t burn a hole in my pocket (damn you Lulu and your international shipping, and blessings to the wonderful gent who helped me out!) to tinker and play with alongside my RC, LL and Red Box. The lecturing, almost-but-not-quite patronizing tone sours an otherwise lovely book, and I can only imagine what someone new to the older editions would feel when reading it.
Hopefully, indeed, a new edition might fix that up a bit.
.-= taichara´s last blog ..A Shout-Out and Heads-Up =-.
@TLE: You might be right, maybe I’m not the target audience for these parts of the text but I really don’t like seeing editorial content in my gaming rules. That’s the exact same reason why the Planescape Campaign Setting irritated me so much with it’s “you shouldn’t play it like that” tone.
I think that there is good reasons to write about S&W in the way that Matt did, but like the 1e books, I would put all of this in a preface, acting as a solid introduction to Old School Gaming, leaving the rest of the book to be 100% pure game.
@Will: As a free product it’s very hard to beat! And I agree that people who went to the trouble to downloading and reading it are already 80% converted.
@Taichara: So even old schoolers have noticed, I thought I was overly sensitive about the whole thing but it seems I’m not alone. Regardless, I think we all agree how good a game this is and the editorials are just annoying once, after I can focus on the rest and enjoy it immensely.
Loving the capsule reviews, am hoping to see one on Fantasycraft . . .
Thanks… however, I don’t plan to touch a 3.5 system for quite some time yet. Not that I dislike it, I just don’t plan to play any of them… although I must confess, that the noise for it is getting louder.
Of all the retroclones, S&W is really the only one I can stomach to play. It’s just dead easy to roll up a character and get in there and the presentation of the rules (aside from the nagging voice telling you why everything’s the way it is) is remarkably un-intimidating. That said I still wouldn’t play it if I can help it. I’m pretty much the sheer opposite of old school.
.-= Wyatt´s last blog ..I wrote poetry as a Dungeon Master. =-.
My eyes are playing tricks on me. Is that cover image as goofy as I think it is? It almost makes the game look like a parody.
.-= Colmarr´s last blog ..DMG2 Experience =-.
Colmarr, your eyes don’t betray you. The cover is a little goofy with those funny hats and helmets and awkward stick-figury anatomy.
BUT…
It’s also very much in line with the goofy style old artists like Erol Otus worked in. And Peter Mullen is extremely talented in that he is capable of evoking that kind of association while having his very own, distinctive style.
This is probably my favourite cover illustration of any RPG I’ve ever seen (and as a former game store owner I have seen them all…)