Thanks for a great review of a great game!
Excellent points, all, Mr. Skach!! It's times like these when I wish the ENWorld XP system was currently functional.I don't wade into these discussions too often (for various reasons), but I felt the need to comment on one aspect.
For those who think this will not bring in new blood, I would only posit the possibility that this in many ways is similar to one of the paths of the infiltration of D&D into the culture. That is, older, more experienced folks introducing younger, inexperienced players to the game.
Specifically, consider that the very "grognards" at which many consider this game to be aimed...many have children; children they introduce to this game.
I can speak from personal experience: my kids love this game. They were in the playtests at GaryCon a year or two ago (their names are even in the book!) learning it right alongside me. They played in a pickup game (run by the inestimable Doug Kovacs) at this most recent GaryCon. They are excited about being signed up for two sessions at GenCon (at their request).
And as others have pointed out, there are play reports of the same or similar experiences - parents playing this game with their kids. I've actually begun to consider that this might be the first game that is essentially built for this model - made with the expectation that it will appeal to "grognards" and be fun enough for them to want to introduce it to the next generation of gamer.
IMHO, YMMV, etc.
Is there no thread about this game in the forum? I couldn't find one.
If you really want to emulate Appendix N, you drop the Cleric entirely.
Joe wasn't willing to do that, sadly.
Absolutely. I was totally on board with a sword-and-sorcery Appendix N reimagination, and got yet another "OSR"-style D&D clone with a few weird house rules.