Kenzerco Reviews

[gamer_guy]

First let me say thanks to KenzerCo for this oppurtunity.

I'm reviewing HackMaster Hacklopedia of Beasts-Volume IV.
I thought this was a very good book. The book in all reminded me of the good ol' Monster Manuel. It has updates of alot of creatures and a couple I was unfamiliar with. I (most of all) enjoyed the art, intro, and the stat blocks. Personally I don't think they need so many monsters (although I know it is a Hack and Slash Game and many GMs love as many monsters as they can get a hold of) but i would rather have fewer monsters and more about each (How do they fit into the Hackmaster world or any home brew world?, etc). Overall I give it a 4/5. It's very easy to bring to the gaming table and just flip to a page and start describing the monster to your PCs. So if your looking for monsters by the number this is your book.

I'm also reviewing Kingdoms of Kalamar Harvest of Darkness. First of all I LOVED it being a 3 in 1 adventure that ties so well together. It's a great module that will keep the players wanting more. It also gives them many options without getting away from the plot. It's an exciting adventure that takes many turns. I just wish I had the KoK core books (I may be looking into that.....). I loved the maps and tables. The NPC's were also very detailed which makes it easier for the GM. My players loved it (Were not done with it though.....). I gave it a 5/5.

 

[redwing]

To KenzerCo: You are probably expecting 2 reviews from me but you sent me two copies of the same thing (Quest for the Unknown). I doesn't matter to me but I thought I'd notify you. (This doesn't affect my review... )

Well I didn't know what I was getting myself into. This was my first Hack 'n Slash game. I'm more of the role-playing guy. Sorry. But I did enjoy the tables, battle sheet and Tips for Players sections. I LOVED the Feces flinging Lemur
Some things I didn't like: table of contents (it's not that i didn't like them but they were wrong page numbers), Not enough pics of monsters (or even refrence to a picture in Hackmaster Beast Guides or whatever). I give it a 3/5. Sorry im just not the Hack n Slash guy. I did like the dungeon and will probably use it again.

 

[Eryx]

I'm reviewing HackMaster Hacklopedia of Beasts-Volume IV.

I'd love to pick up Hackmaster just for the sheer fun value, but I'm always put off by the number of Hacklopedias. Surely, it would have been better to release 2 hardcover MM style books?

*Shrugs*

 

[Hard8Staff]

Redwing: could you please pass the duplicate on to another GM? thanks!

Eryx wrote: <<I'd love to pick up Hackmaster just for the sheer fun value, but I'm always put off by the number of Hacklopedias. Surely, it would have been better to release 2 hardcover MM style books?
>>

Eryx,

That may be. But who ever heard of a two volume encyclopedia? We set out to make the first-ever true Encyclopedia of monsters. Relative to World Book, we're inexpensive (and a better read)!!

Perhaps next year we'll make a shortened version. In any case, I wouldn't look at it as a whole purchase, just buy the one you like and enjoy the ride. I've yet to see a post that said "It wasn't worth $19.99". We feel the Hacklopedias offer a good value for your gaming dollar. If you get one and enjoy it buy another, if not then we certainly understand your position. No harm done.


Hack on!

David

 

[Eryx]

Hack!!!

I can't argue value for money, thats true.

Thanx for the reply.

 

[jollyninja]

i'm still waiting on my copy, darn cross border shipping. bah!

 

[Lucias]

Hey Redwing,
If you take KenzerCo's advice and pass along QftU to another GM, I'd love to take it off your hands (if you can find no one else!). Just finishing up a 3E campaign, my group of 2nd ed. vets were going to have some fun with a Hackmaster campaign. I'd be more than happy to write a review of it, I'd probably be able to even due a playtest review instead of just a capsule.
Kenzer, I've enjoyed both your HM and KoK supplements so far and if you ever, and I mean ever, feel the need to send out some free supplements for review, my group and I would be more than happy to scratch that itch for you!
Cheers! And keep up the good work!

Lucias

 

[redwing]

Lucias---

e-mail me at redwing_the_wizard@hotmail.com with your mailing address. we can work out the details.

The Hackmaster Encyclopedia of Beasts is WELL WORTH your dollar. Heck I got it for free and thought "this is so good I should have paid for it" And no I'm not sucking up or working for KenzerCo. One thing that should clear the whole too many volumes thing is: Collect monsters that have SOMETHING (anything at all--might wanna take a vote and see what's popular) in common for a single book. Just because they have the same first letter in their name doesn't mean anything. Like maybe a Seafarer's guide. But I do like how it's an encyclopedia. Reminds me of my Funk and Wagnall's set I have, lined up on the wall. Wanna look for a certain monster entry, go to the shelf and pick out the book with the certain letter and boom......you got your monster. No looking through the index of 100 monster books (that you forgot which book the monster is in) to find the certain entry.

 

[Cedric]

I haven't finished taking Harvest of Darkness through it's paces yet, but when I do, I'll be posting my own review.

I can say this right now though. For those of you out there who don't play in the Kingdoms of Kalamar world, but need more modules. Seriously consider getting KoK modules and modifying them for your game world.

These guys do great work. And like I said, my review will be coming soon.

Thanks for the opportunity,

Cedric

 

[Lucias]

I wish that more companies would take after KenzerCo and implement something like the Imagequest system. My players absolutely love to be able to see through their character's eyes instead of just through their mind's eye. It really helps set the atmosphere. It's one of the little things that has made the KoK modules I've run really entertaining.