The original Wraith Recon was an intriguing idea---a special forces unit in a fantasy setting---married to an adequate gaming system. Savage Worlds would seem, with it's emphasis on fast, furious, and fun gaming, to be a far more suitable fit for the concept.

It must be stressed that this is a short taster of the full game. There's not enough detail here for a full campaign or much world building. A GM would have to put a lot of work in to stretch this over more than a couple of missions. But considering the low cost that is not what this is about. It's simply to give potential GMs and players a sense of what the setting is about, and in that it succeeds admirably. Several new Edges and Hinderances add to the environment, and a short mission provides a taste of the sort of adventure members of the elite Wraith Recon teams will carry out.

To summerise, it's short and lacking in details. However it does what it sets out to do very well, and as it's Pay What You Want, the price can not be complained about.

If you want a fantasy game with a different feel to it, it's well worth a look.

Disclaimer: I've been following this project for some time, and have made a number of suggestions to the publishers. I have no financial interest in this however.

The continent of Africa provides many opportunities for Special Forces activity. This supplement gives useful background details on the countries and envionments to be found there. It must be stressed that this is information about the location, not a collection of new rules. Every nation is given a brief description. Although the short nature of these limits the amount of data, as it would take an encyclopedia to cover them all in detail, there's enough here to flesh out a quick visit to a country. Reading through the descriptions can trigger scenario ideas, giving a smart GM a good starting point to research further for the level of detail they prefer.

There are brief but informative sections on the weather, wildlife, and diseases most common in Africa. Various organisations, criminal groups, warlords, and PMCs are described, providing opposition or assistance to the players.

Overall this is a useful resource. Although it's small size limits the amount of information it carries, it is an excellent starting point for planned African adventures, and a good go-to guide if the players decide on a sudden short visit. It is well written, clear and concise.

If you play Ghost Ops, then this expansion will add to your experience. There are new optional rules to either speed combat up, or add detail to the game. New weapons and equipment will give a bit more choice for tooling up Operators or Tangos, and four new Backgrounds allow even more variety in character creation.

It's not perfect, there are a few typos, and it isn't made clear that the new armours are currently in development, ideal for a near future setting (or perhaps one where Operators are issued prototype gear) but not a contempory real world setting. But those are minor matters. It's also a pity there is no prospect of a SW version, but that does not affect the quality of this one.

Summary: A short product, but with some useful material. If you do play Ghost Ops, I can't see any reason why you wouldn't get this.

Disclaimer: I have made some suggestions into the development of this game. These were done voluntarily and I have no financial benefits from it.

Disclaimer-I backed the Kickstarter, and recieved vouchers to get my copy here.

Ghost Ops is an RPG of Special Forces. The players form a team drawn from the elite of the worlds militaries, to carry out missions that no one nation can handle. A wide variety of SF units are provided for a character's background. Each unit has three 'Packages' to choose from, with each Package (such as Assault, Engineer, or Recon) having a selection of special abilities. Initialy the player picks three of those abilities, though more can be bought later. Should a situation arise where the ability may be relevent, a bonus is given. Thirteen Skills cover a wide variety of situations.

The game uses Fudge dice, but is not the Fudge/Fate system itself. If you don't have the dice you will benefit from getting some, but it can be done with ordainary D6s. Alternately, many dice roller apps are available.

Themetically the style can vary quite a bit. Realistic anti terrorist operations, hostage rescues, drug suppresion missions and the like are all possible, but the game is geared towards a cinematic style, so if you prefer the more Hollywood approach to Special Forces you certainly have that option. A 'Bullet Time' mechanic allows for bursting in through the window, landing in a roll, and delivering headshots to three enemies before they can react. The fact that Matthew Reilly, writer of over the top but hugely enjoyable action thrillers like 'Ice Station; and 'Area 7' has given permission to feature the Maghook grappling gun in the game speaks volumes.

It's not perfect, some areas are very light on detail. I'd have liked to see more information and rules for weapons. The afore mentioned Maghook is treated here as a basic climbing aid, and deserves a few paragraphs outlining it's other uses. There are also a few typos throughout. Most of these are little more than irritants, but the ommission of the Police Package does limit the choices during character creation.

Still, that's the advantage of a pdf copy. Updated versions can be made available as these errors are caught.

Overall, if you like the idea of a fast paced globe trotting action adventure, Ghost Ops, in either this or it's Savage Worlds form, may well be what you are looking for.

As a lifelong fan of the original Lone Wolf gamebooks, it was unthinkable that I didn't get this. All the same, I was a little wary. The two previous attempts to make LW into an RPG had been something of a curate's egg, good in parts...

I needn't have worried. Cubicle 7 have turned in an excellent piece of work. Rules are simple, very simple. The basic Initiate level is essentially the same as the gamebook rules, with a few alterations to suit a multi-player, GM (or 'Narrator) lead game. This simplicity is presented as a strength, allowing beginners to RPGs to pick up the system quickly and easily. For those more familiar with the concepts, the more advanced Master level rules add skills, traits, weapon qualities and other factors to increase the game's complexity (a caveat: even at Master level this is still a simple system. It's conceivable that some might find it a bit too simple for their tastes).

Some players may rankle at the fact that they're limited to only one class, the Kai Lord. This isn't such a bad thing. The Kai, with their wide range of special powers, or Disciplines, can be quite a varied bunch, especially with good role-playing. Other character classes will be available in a future supplement.

Visually this is a very attractive product. The illustrations are of a uniformly high quality and the layout is appealing. Rules are presented clearly, with the differences between Initiate and Master levels highlighted. There are several player handouts including pre-gen characters, tokens, and a beautiful map. Enough background detail is presented to give even a complete newcomer a basic grounding in the world of Magnamund, and the bestiary contains a wide selection of possible enemies.

Finally we get a two part adventure, cleverly written so the first part is simpler than the second. It would be possible to start with Initiate level rules then adopt the more complex Master level rules between parts if the players so wish.

Overall: An excellent gateway to the world of Magnamund. Pretty much essential for Lone Wolf fans, but also an ideal starter RPG for those new to them. Experienced players may find it a bit basic.

DISCLAIMER: I'm trying not to be biased here, but I should state that I have been credited as a proofreader for this product. That was not for pay and I'm not benefiting financially from that. I AM involved in a future supplement, for which I will (hopefully) be paid. To prevent a conflict of interest, I'll not review that one!

There are lots of roads out there, but in my experience they are all suited to American or European layouts. This is the first one I've seen made to represent British streets, and it comes at a great price. The roads themselves are nicely textured, and look like they've seen a lot of use. Sadly this attention to detail doesn't carry across to the pavements, which are a simple grey with black lines to represent paving slabs. Adequate, but rather bland to look at. As with the previous reviewer, I would have liked to see something that could be used for older roads, the yellow markings being a touch too modern to represent my preferred period, the 60's and 70's. That's a minor quibble though. This product was meant to support the publisher's own game, and I'm glad it can be used for others set in Britain. The latest update, adding a crossroad and traffic cones, just adds to the value.

Overall: Lack of detail on the pavements and relative modernity do not significantly detract from this very reasonably priced road set.

For all you evil genius's and diabolical masterminds out their, a hidden underground lair is pretty essential. The Modular Lair from Stoelzel's Structures is an excellent way to start such a location. The modular nature means that, instead of building one fixed structure (though that can certainly be done), the various rooms and corridors can be moved as needed allowing great variety in the layout. It also makes storage when not in use much easier.

This is designed so that floors and walls are printed off, then attached to foamcore. As a result the whole thing has a solidity that pure cardstock terrain often lacks. It is not necessary to have the dexterity of a brain surgeon to put the parts together, although some of the furnishings are a bit fiddly. With care and patience you can get satisfactory results.

There are eight different floor shapes provided, and in principle it should be possible to improvise more using them in combination. Both floors and walls have several different textures, allowing for much variety.

The set includes furniture suitable for a control centre and a conference room, as well as a cell for captured agents, a power generator, storage crates and a selection of death traps.

On the downside the instructions, whilst adequate, could be expanded further. There's also no furnishings for living quarters, mess hall, armoury etc.

Overall: A good, solid, versatile set that will allow you to build quite an extensive lair. Though described as an evil lair, it would also represent any secretive good organisations HQ very nicely.

If you are looking for a highly detailed, atmospheric, and thoroughly compelling setting for a Savage Worlds fantasy campaign, 'Beasts & Barbarians' is exactly what you need. The history and geography of the Dread Sea Dominions are rich with possibilities, and provide an environment ripe for adventure.

The new Edges, Arcane Backgrounds, weapons and gear all fit the setting well. There is much advice for the GM on how to best capture the flavour of this sort of world, as well as optional rules to fine tune it to personal taste.

The PDF is well laid out. Art is generally good, and in some places excellent. There are a couple of spelling errors and clumsily worded phrases, but nothing to detract from the quality of this product.

Overall: Excellent.

The first supplement for spy-fi game 7TV continues the very high standard set by the core rulebook. It's a visual delight, layout and colour perfectly catching that swinging 60's feel. The main contribution is a set of campaign rules, allowing your forces (or 'casts' in 7TV parlance) to develop and grow with experience. Amusingly these maintain the pretence that you are the producer of a TV show as much as the commander of a military force. Your cast can benefit from a sponsorship deal, or suffer the effects of a celebrity scandal. This slightly tongue in cheek approach might not be to everyone's taste, but it adds an additional layer to the game. There are also rules to add animals to your game, as well as stats for various types. Now you can add sharks or piranhas to your villainous lair! Three new types of extra are introduced, as are three co-stars based on figures already available from Crooked Dice. A new alien race, the lobster like Envoys, make their debut, with a two part scenario as they try to take over the Earth. New weapons, gadgets and Event cards round off the supplement. The only downside is that there seems to be no way to switch the background images off, which would consume a fair bit of ink when printing. Aside from that this is a great addition to the game.

If you already have 7TV, buy this. If you don't have 7TV, buy that. And then buy this.

There is very little I can add that has not been mentioned in previous reviews. Suffice to say this an incredibly wide and deep game world. Almost too much so. There are so many good ideas, so many adventure possibilities, it can be overwhelming!

It is also presented very nicely, in a single column format that makes for easy reading on a computer monitor. No need to constantly scroll back up the page to start a second column here! The illustrations are of a generally high quality.

Also, it's worth having a look at the anti-piracy notice on this and other DAR products :).

Overall: A superb product, that shows a lot of thought and dedication. Highly recommended.

The Sten gun was a cheap and nasty weapon, designed for rapid mass production at low cost. Whilst cheap, this supplement certainly isn't nasty, continuing the very high standard shown in all Day After Ragnarok products.

A quick history of the weapon is followed by a basic description of it's construction. Next comes an overview of the pro's and con's. Stat's for the two most common version are next, along with some optional rules that capture the gun's idiosyncrasies. There are even adventure ideas, and suggestions for magical enhancements.

Overall, this is an excellent supplement for it's cost. Whilst not perfect (there's no mention of the mark 4, for example) it gives a lot of background information and rules mechanics. Some of the ideas here could be used in other WW2 type settings. And, as always, the production standards are very high.

Although not exclusively, or even primarily, a 'Pulp' games system, Savage Worlds does work well with that genre. Adamant's Thrilling Tales supplement is an excellent resource for those who want a bit of two fisted action adventure, and The Malay Coins is the latest adventure. The story unfolds in two parts. In the first, the players must track down the mysterious coins of the title, whilst in the second they go searching for hidden treasure.

The adventure as presented is quite a simple one, ideal for beginning players. For those who prefer more of a challenge, there are numerous suggestions throughout for extra complications. This allows the GM to fine tune the adventure for the players with a little bit of effort. The illustrations are, for the most part, reproductions of images from previous AE products, however the titular coins are shown in colour. Printed out on card and carefully cut out, these would make useful player props. A nice touch.

For those who enjoy retro sci-fi, Slipstream is an absolute must. Forget hard science, technobabble or in depth examinations of the human condition. This is good old fashioned pulp sci-fi, rocketships, ray guns and robotmen. The opening chapters give a basic guide to the universe, letting the players know what to expect. Eight player character races are presented in detail, with numerous more available in simpler form, ready to be expanded upon. A simple but effective system allows for the construction of entirely new species. New Edges and Hindrances, appropriate for the setting, are introduced. These include abilities to make your Weird Scientist more effective, and several new Psionics powers. Later chapters give the GM more specific information on the setting, whilst still allowing room to add your own ideas. Various suggestions on how to maintain the proper 'pulp' style are included. This is followed by a plot point campaign, pitting the heroes against the sinister Queen Anathraxa in a series of linked episodes. Whilst most of these follow one from another, there are opportunities to go wandering off into unrelated adventures, and several such quests are presented.

Stylistically Slipstream wears it's influences openly. The main contributor is Flash Gordon, the original comic strips and Saturday morning serials, and the 1980 movie. If your players don't get the reference to 'War Rocket Achilles', or smile with recognition at the line "Dive my bird men!" then something is wrong! There are other, similar, influences, such as my personal favourite, the Valkyrians, a race of warrior women based heavily on Sybil Danning's role in 'Battle Beyond The Stars'.

In summary: Liked. Great setting. Well thought out setting specific rules. Good campaign. Well presented, with some good artwork through out.

Disliked. Some maps and floorplans are missing from the pdf. version. There are misprints in the stats of a couple of ships and characters. (Neither of these is a major problem, as the information is available at the PEG website).

I'm sure I'm not alone in finding the D20 character creation process long, drawn out and tedious. Whilst it is well suited for PC's and the most important NPC's, you really need something else should you need the stat's for a minor character your players may need to deal with only once. Minions Of Mars gives the basic statistics for 22 commonly encountered character types. Each listing has stats for 2nd, 6th and 10th level. To add variety each level has three variants, one at normal ability modifier, one with all mods at +1, and one with all mods at +2. Where appropiate, the different races of Mars are represented. To round things off, there is a section detailing eight NPC's who could easily be dropped into most campaigns. These characters are interesting and well rounded. There's also a section of four new feats (some of which have featured in earlier AE releases).

Pro's: Cut's down on the GM's workload when creating minor NPC's. The detailed NPC's all have adventure potential. Con's: Page after page of stat's are visually uninspiring. A lot of the artwork is re-used from the core rulebook.

Overall: Not an essential purchase, but a useful and convenient one.

Anyone planning a horror type campaign set during the Victorian period should consider this (with a little work, it could be used in other time periods too). Depending upon the choices of the player, it can be used to create a range of character types from thoughtful scholars (such as Van Helsing in 'Dracula') to more action orientated heroes (like Van Helsing in, errr, 'Van Helsing).

On the downside, there is no supplemental material, such as adventure ideas, character examples and the like. Whilst not essential, such stuff would be useful.