Hackmaster-What is the deal?

[kengar]

Okay, I've read a fair bit of KODT and own the Bundle of Trouble collections. I know that KenzerCo has put out an actual game "HackMaster." I've even flipped through the books briefly at my local game store, Dream Wizards. Now, my question is this; is anyone actually PLAYING this game? I mean, it's USD $60 for the GM guide + Player's Guide ($30 ea.) and $20 per volume of the Hacklopedia (8 vol. in all)!! We're talking over $200 for what amounts to just the MM, PHB, & DMG for the system! It's not like the 8 Hacklopedia vols are augmenting previously complete editions. They each only cover from A-C, C-F, etc. (or something like that). I mean, is it just me or is this a bit nuts?

Anyway, just curious more than anything else.

(edited to provide link)

 

[alsih2o]

mini-hijack

i haven't actually seen the set, or played the game.....but i LOVE your sig!!

 

[Holy Bovine]

WHile it is expensive (be thankful you don't live here in Canada - to get everything you listed would cost over $300 plus 15% tax here in Ontario ). I have the PHB and find it very well written but haven't gone ahead and bought the GMG and Hacklopedias for a couple of reasons

1) Price. I don't have a lot of disposable income and right now most of it is going towards upgrading my computer. Even after that is done I am getting d20 Traveller, Mutants and Masterminds and Dragonstar first (and maybe some Star Wars books too).

2) I don't need another fantasy game at this time. My players and I (currently on summer hiatus) play 3E D&D and Star Wars currently. While Hackmaster is fun (some other friends and I had a blast making up characters for it and hacking through a module) I find that D&D fills the fantasy niche quite nicely and everyone has a copy of the PHB (at least) and no one is willing to drop the cash to get yet another fantasy based RPG.

Now don't get me wrong I really do think that Hackmaster is a top notch game with a dedicated company supporting it. I hope it does well but the high cost to get into the game (assuming you want all the Hacklopedias) is probably a big barrier to many gamers. I would at least recommend (if you want to play it) getting the PHB and GMG - would run you about $60 US and you can play with just those - the Hacklopedia's make adventure design quicker but you can get by without them.

 

[Ashtal]

Actually, my brother is in a Hackmaster game, and he says they are having a blast. Funny, lotsa action. It's not my cup of tea and it's way out of my price range, but I can't begrudge them having fun.

I do have the Hackmaster Player's Handbook and a smattering of the monster manuals. It's DENSE, but funny. If you like KotDT, that is.

 

[Tsyr]

I own both the PHB and the HMG, as well as four of the hacklopedias... Basicly the ones that had things in them I wanted...

If you like 1E/2E, this is probably worth it. The system is identical at it's core, but with a lot of add ons and improvements. I know an Anti-3E guy who switched to hackmaster for his normal campagin because of some of the rules improvements. I've run hackmaster games as one-shots a number of times.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I have the Hackmaster players handbook, and the Hackmaster's guide, and several of the Monstrous Compendia. One of them I got on the condition that I write a review for it, which I have not done. I hang around EN World, and there is no place for non-D20 reviews.

Anyway, the books are fun to read, and jam-packed with all kinds of details that can enrich ordinary games. Lots and lots of neat monsters with that 1st edition feel.

-Cheiromancer

 

[ColonelHardisson]

HackMaster is great. I highly recommend it. It's one of the best RPG purchases I've ever made. The GMG is one of the best RPG books I've ever read. The game itself is, as others have said, the best parts of AD&D 1st and 2nd edition with a number of add-ons. If one tried to use every single rule, the game would become very cumbersome - for a game with supposedly such a high body count, it sure takes a long time to create a character. Still, if you enjoy 1e, nostalgia, and humor, HM is the game for you.

The Hacklopedia prices was something I balked at early on. While there are plenty of new (and usually very funny in concept) monsters, most are essentially the same as their 1e counterparts. Still, there are some volumes that are outstanding - the volume with dragons is very cool. HackMaster dragons have an interesting society, and are pretty durned powerful.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I have the Hackmaster players handbook, and the Hackmaster's guide, and several of the Monstrous Compendia. One of them I got on the condition that I write a review for it, which I have not done. I hang around EN World, and there is no place for non-D20 reviews.

The people who received those books in exchange for reviews posted the reviews here on the message boards. Go ahead and do the same; we HM fans would be interested in seeing it. Heck, I posted a review of the 1st Hacklopedia here when it first came out, back before the PHB appeared.

 

[nsruf]

I still can't bring myself to see Hackmaster as more than an elaborate joke, collecting the WORST aspects of 1E and 2E That doesn't mean it isn't fun to read or that some rules or monsters would actually enhance your game, but playing it as written seems impossible.

 

[kengar]

Those of you who only own a few of the Hacklopedia volumes, don't you find it difficult to play with what -in my mind- would be an incomplete book? I guess if there are enough critters per volume, you will have enough to hack, it just seems awkward to me. Maybe if they had released each volume by "CR" ("Beginner-level" monsters, Intermediate, Advanced Level, Gawdly, etc.) *shrug* I dunno.