And John saves me another $35

[Kanegrundar]

I agree, WotC could use some tightening of their editing as well. However, I would wager the percentage of bad reviews Mongoose has gotten from poor editing outweighs that of WotC. (Bad reviews, IMO, being below a 3.) I'm not positive on that, but I would guess that to be the case. Granted, WotC likely gets higher-than-average reviews just for being a really popular publisher.

Kane

 

[John Cooper]

Kanegrundar: ME1 had some interesting creatures and is a much better book overall in terms of originality.

I'm glad to hear that, and given that the first book wasn't constrained to evil alignments, I had hoped that it would be better than the second book was.

I'd still be interested in seeing the first book, though. Contrary to what many probably believe, I'm a fan of Mongoose's stuff; they have put out some really good material over the years. It just makes it that much more disappointing when I see them put out something substandard, because I know they can do much better.

 

[haiiro]

I haven't enjoyed Mongoose's products overall but have occasionally found a gem in the rockpile.

For me, that'd be Ultimate Equipment (v. 1). It's got a lot of neat ideas, and while I think there are some mechanical issues with some of the items it presents, it reminds me a bit of the old Aurora's Whole Realms Catalog, which is a very good thing.

Based on perusing Mongoose's other stuff at my FLGSs over the years, UE is the only Mongoose book I own -- maybe I've just looked at the wrong things, but their overall price/quality ratio doesn't do it for me.

 

[The_Fan]

Babylon 5 RPG was Mongoose's gem for me.

Kane

Then you should definately pick up their guide to Earth. Who would've guessed that, even in the future, Colombians were short hairy dwarves who live in caves to escape the marauding drug armies?

 

[Ranger REG]

even in the future, Colombians were short hairy dwarves who live in caves to escape the marauding drug armies?

They're not?!?!!!

 

[JoeGKushner]

Sorry but I didn't mean my post to be directed at you. It just happened to follow your post.

What I mean to say that the existence of this thread has an anti-Mongoose sentiment, though there are others here who believe otherwise. Granted, I never bought any of Mongoose's earlier works, but I have bought Babylon 5 books. And I like them.

But all of the criticisms mentioned in this thread, you could argue the same for, say WotC.

So, what is the message the thread starter want to send to Mongoose and other publishing companies? Improve their editing performance? It's been sounded off so many times (though all my noises have always been directed at WotC).

Well, for me, it's the continual reassurance by one of the main people at the company that "Yes, things have changed THIS time around." Going so far as to "Dare" people to compare their product with other products and prove him wrong. And well, while the company HAS indeed come a ways, they still have problems in the mechanics department.

In addition, prior to the price change at WoTC, most of their books were 192+ pages of full color for less price, and better lay out, than the Mongoose books. They also never came out with errata for Sheloth. Yeah, keep telling me how much better you are now while selling the bad books at massive discounts without mentioning the errors and without providing the errata for those books!

In short, I'm just glad that they gave John the book to review as it saved me money. I'm not against buying Mongoose products, it's just I need some type of assurance that it's better than 'average' or I'm going to pass on it.

 

[Ranger REG]

In short, I'm just glad that they gave John the book to review as it saved me money. I'm not against buying Mongoose products, it's just I need some type of assurance that it's better than 'average' or I'm going to pass on it.

I'm sure you mean that for ALL new product release, not just limited to Mongoose, correct?

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Why is it so unreasonable, REG, that Mongoose might have generated some ill will with their poor performance history?

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Then you should definately pick up their guide to Earth. Who would've guessed that, even in the future, Colombians were short hairy dwarves who live in caves to escape the marauding drug armies?

Good grief, are we starting THAT debate/flame again.

 

[I'm A Banana]

So, what is the message the thread starter want to send to Mongoose and other publishing companies? Improve their editing performance? It's been sounded off so many times (though all my noises have always been directed at WotC).

AFAICT, it's "Mongoose has had a disease. They say they're better, but they've still got sniffles and a cough."

Which is actually a good message to put out there, because the campaign waged speaks to the contrary.

Sure, a lot of the same criticism can be leveled at WotC. Start a thread on it. This one seems to be calling Mongoose on their continued, endemic problems, and warning others to look at the reviews before they buy.