FFG's City Works: Thoughts

[Kichwas]

Saw this in the store the other day and suddenly thought it was the book I always needed and didn't have.

Good thing I was out of funds at the time.

So, is it? Is this -the- book to get for the urban DM? Is it a great read and greater resource or is it just more useless fluff that looks so essential until you actually try and do something with it? Or somewhere in between?

Anyone have the book and have any thoughts on it to share with us?

 

[Nifft]

I'm very interested in hearing about it, too... or about any other books that do what it purports to do.

Our campaign just hit a city, and I have what I think are some interesting ideas about what's going to happen, but I really need help with the whole "Bag o' NPCs" issue.

-- Nifft

 

[Psion]

I would be interested in hearing it too. I am historically a Mearls fan, but Dungeon Craft turned me off / seemed pretty useless and I am sort of once bitten, twice shy. Tell me, am I being quick to judge here, or is it worth the money?

 

[Tuerny]

I have it!

I have a copy of Cityworks and have been reading it over the past week and a half. I am not quite done with it, but if you have any specific questions I am more than willing to answer them.

In general I would have to say that it is much more useful if you want to make a city for an in-depth city campaign then if you want to just make a quick overview.

On the whole I would also have to say that I like it.

 

[Kichwas]

Tuerny: Can you compare it to Dungeoncraft (which I don't have actually, but might be useful to get a contrast).

I eventually plan to settle my campaign in a city in Kalamar that has a suppliment out for it which is highly detailed already. Would this book help me in prepping games, getting adventure ideas, and setting mood and pace.

Or is it better suited for building a new city from the ground up?

 

[der_kluge]

I'll agree with Psion, Dungeoncraft left me sorely dissapointed. Some of their recent books have been filled with page after page of "yea, I could have figured that out on my own". I imagine that City Works falls into that same category. But, I could be wrong.

 

[Crothian]

I liked Dugioncraft, but I do like Citywoks even better.

 

[Kichwas]

Tuerny and others with the book:

How's it stack up on these factors:

Dryness of the reading
Utility in designing a new city
Utility in running an existing detailed city
Utility in being a player in an urban game
Utility in finding new angles one probably missed before


How does it compare to major competitors in those same areas?

What are it's major competitors?

 

[Limper]

I was hoping to hear this was great... it would have given me more hope about Plane Craft.

 

[JoeGKushner]

In my review, I noted that I'm a long time player with lots of city based campaign experience so about 85% of the book struck me as a, "Yeah, and this is different how?" sort of thing.

I usually enjoy Mike Mearls work a lot but found this book pretty average in terms of utility.