Bad Review vs. Good Reviews

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Great review!

[nitpick]

"Divine Fist (divine feat) works exactly like Divine Might (in WotC's Defenders of the Faith, but UF doesn't mention where to find it) but only for unarmed attacks. The book even admits this fact with a special note at the end of this feat listing. So why not just take Divine Might for the same bonus without the restriction? "

Because the group may not have 'Defenders of the Faith'. You have to assume that the group only has the core rules.

[/nitpick]

 

[brak1]

I also thought this was a pretty fair and balanced review. I've been thinking of picking this book up and now will have to consider carefully before I do so. (I think I might not have a problem picking it up if it was a cheaper paperback.)

Thanks!

 

[the Jester]

Great review, and if it comes up do it again.

I think the reason more people don't post negative reviews is that we all prefer to rave about what we like. If we all wrote reviews of the stuff we don't like, there'd prolly be more reviews posted.

I went out of my way to review Tome of Horrors because when I got it I found myself somewhat let down by the prior reviews I'd read and wanted to present the alternative view (don't get my wrong, I like it, but not THAT much).

 

[ColonelHardisson]

That's almost exactly how I want a review to be when I go to the review section: in-depth and straightforward, even if it's negative. Maybe especially when it's negative. In that way, I can tell whether or not I'll like a book, even if the reviewer didn't. Negative reviews are, in my opinion, just as important as positive ones.

 

[Fenes 2]

Good rewiev indeed.

 

[Quasqueton]

Thank you very much for your reviews of my review I appreciate the comments and assurance that I did the right thing.

Quasqueton

 

[Psion]

Should I write a review and post it alongside the two good reviews? I would rate the book at 2 out of 5 -- a serious contrast to the other reviewers.

I know you've already had this answered and posted your review, but: absolutely. Because two other reviewers liked it doesn't mean that they grade by the same criterion you do, and that probably translates into potential customers who may feel as you do.

So long as your review is infomative and non-emotive, you shouldn't feel cowed by the fact other people don't see the same values (or flaws) in books that you do.

 

[2WS-Steve]

One probable reason for the difference in opinions is that different people come at the compilation books with different expectations. On the one hand compilations are usually great sources of crunchy bits; on the other hand they're just compilations. How do you review that?!?

The people who like a compilation probably just glide past the questionable inclusions because there's 500 good feats present. I know that I'll consider a (first-run) book good if even 30% of it is high-quality stuff I'll use.

 

[blackshirt5]

Thanks for posting up another review. I was considering purchasing this book, but now that I've seen your review, I've reconsidered. Kudos from somebody who you just saved 35 dollars(which is going to another Mongoose product).

 

[Simon Collins]

Quasqueton

I'd just like to say, as someone who wrote one of the other reviews, that I felt that your review was well written and your reasons for disliking it were clearly explained - we definitely need more of this kind of review as it creates useful discussion points and encourages publishers to release increasingly better products.

My rating used Steven Palmer Peterson's explanation above as a basis for my decision, but I believe everyone should rate based on their own opinion and how useful they found the product.

Thanks for your review and hopefully you will be encouraged to post more reviews.

Simon Collins