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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shayd3000" data-source="post: 2010968" data-attributes="member: 6360">PRODUCT REVIEWSpycraft The 1960'sAEGISBN 1-887953-93-0Reviewers Bias:  The publisher of the reviewed product does not employ me, nor do I have any financial affiliation with any game publishing company.  PURPOSE:  This review assumes the reader is already familiar with the product and is trying to make a "buy or not buy" decision.  I direct you to the publisher's web site for specific product details and hype.  This review will not provide the reader with many product details.  Please see the publisher's catalog, or the many other very good reviews available for that information.  My intended audience is the reader who is looking for a quick evaluation of a product based on specific, explained criteria.  Review criteria are listed at the end of the article.THE REVIEW:===========PRODUCT SYNOPSIS:  This is rulebook covers in detail all of the changes required of the Spycraft system for roleplaying in the 1960's.  The Spycraft Espionage Handbook is required.WOW FACTOR(2):  I couldn't put this one down!  Yes, I prefer the Spycraft system over say, d20 Modern, and perhaps that bias is reflected here, however, the book kept me glued and that rates a 2.BINDING(2):  The book is hardbound with stitched pages.EDITING/FLAWS(2):  I found only a couple of editing errors.  One was a word left out, and the other involved the use of two cases in the same sentence.  Neither detracted from the book.  If other errors are present, they hid themselves in the text well and were not noticed.  The 1960's font used for titles is nice, but on the smaller sizes can be hard to read.  The font is very `60's stylish though and adds to the feel of the book.ORIGINALITY/FLEXIBILITY(2):  The first four chapters of the book are mostly historical in nature, thus useable for any game involving the `60's, serving as a good reference with a gaming eye.  The "Espionage Climate" rules are an interesting innovation meant to simulate when various events or player actions cause a change in the "weather".  Allegiance rules are also introduced, which is an interesting variant on the familiar alignment system of other games.EVALUATION(2):  I do not think the illustrations were up to the normal Spycraft standard, and I feel with the large amount of source material available for inspiration, more could have been done with the few illustrations found in the book.  Other than that, there was nothing else not to like!  The book met up to the high standards set by the Spycraft team, and as much material was stuffed into the volume as was practical.  Exhaustive work was done to make all existing Spycraft material useable for a 1960's campaign, which means all previous purchased material is not wasted!  This book builds on the Spycraft line, but doesn't take anything away from what has come before!  I like it when my previous investments aren't nullified when a new book gets published!TOTAL RATING:  This volume has earned a 10 out of 10, and is well worth the investment for anyone that already enjoys the Spycraft line.REVIEW CRITERIA:================HOW I REVIEW:  My reviews are very simple.  I evaluate a product against a list of criteria and award from 0 - 2 points based on how the product fits the criteria.  The five criteria I use are:WOW FACTOR:  On a scale of 0-2, if after reading the product I say WOW, I give it 2 points.  If I wished I hadn't spent my money on it, I give it 0 points.  Everything else gets one point.  This is purely my opinion and first gut reaction.BINDING:  Glue binding=0.  Sewn binding=1.  Comb binding or stapled module=2.  Hardback=+1.  Why?  I hate glued binding, game books should be made to last.  I like my books to lie flat, comb binding and stapled modules do this easily.  Hardback books tend to last better for me, so I give them a bonus point.  Maximum award here is still 2 points.EDITING/FLAWS:  This is an evaluation of editing and layout.  If the product is filled with mistakes that should have been caught by an editor, then it rates a 0.  None, or only one or two rate a two.  Everything else gets a 1.  Note that this is subjective, because if I didn't notice it, then I can't evaluate it.  This criterion also evaluates the book layout.  Obvious areas where layout causes confusion or detracts from the product count as mistakes.ORIGINALITY/FLEXIBILITY:  Original element, concept, etc=1; Innovative mechanic(s)=1; usable with other games=1; max score is 2.  This criteria measures if I'm getting something I haven't bought before and if its degree of usefulness (if you play more than one game).  This category is based very much on my opinion and over 25 years of playing (and buying) RPG and other gaming products.  As with everything else in this review, the rating here is the opinion of the author and your mileage may vary.EVALUATION:  In this section I list my likes and dislikes.  The score will be based on the ratio of like to dislikes.  More likes gets a 1, more dislikes gets a 0.  To get a 2, the likes need to far outweigh the dislikes.RATING:  This is the score out of ten.  Remember, this score is nothing more than my opinion of the book's value when compared to a set of criteria.  I've tried to outline my criteria so that you can determine if you agree with the evaluation and better judge the validity of the score based on your needs, tastes, and experience.</blockquote>

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