Post by Shelby on May 31, 2022 19:02:55 GMT -8
OK, this arrived six months late, but arrive it did. My initial impressions follow.
- For some reason they chose to reproduce the second edition of the game, rather than the first. Hard to understand for a reproduction to celebrate the initial release of the game. Well, at least it's close enough to satisfy my nostalgia, and since prior to the current 7th re-written edition of Call of Cthulhu all the editions were completely compatible, it will serve my purpose. Which is of course to continue to play the game that I love, not some mutation that a younger generation believes must be better simply because it's newer.
- The cover of the box and the books and even the handouts all have a dull matte waxy texture. I can't imagine why. Although when I compare it to my Orient Express box, it appears to be the same. It's a little creepy to touch, but so be it.
- I will echo two sentiments that others have already expressed elsewhere. First, we were supposed to receive poster maps of Arkham and the world. What we got was one piece of poster-sized paper with one map printed on the front, and the other printed on the reverse. So you can't hangthem it up without losing one of the posters. What the hell? For all this prep and the cost, they can't give us two pieces of paper? And second, the reproduction of the Keeper's Screen (which I used to have and may still have tucked away somewhere) is made of what barely qualifies as cardstock. If you hold it up it sways over like a standard weight piece of paper. What exactly is this thing for? It's printed on both sides, so you can't put it in a plastic sleeve for use, and it certainly won't function as a screen at the table. I'm baffled at this one too. The box it comes in is made of cardboard, so obviously there's not a cardboard shortage. If the guy who made this decision was here I'd slap him.
- And finally, I was disgusted to see printed in several places a big long disclaimer about how there might be some unrealistic representations of some places or cultures in these products from the oh so evil 1980s, and how it was wrong then and wrong now to mis-represent that way. Oh, and how they've made some changes as a result. Well I really want to use profanity here. I paid premium money for a reprint of the original products, most of which I used to own. As an adult I'm responsible for my own reactions to fiction, and in this case, fantasy fiction. I paid for something and you did not give me what I ordered. I am furious.
So I hear you saying, "Bottom-line me, baby." Fine. This was one of the finest games ever produced. It makes most other RPGs stink on ice. In spite of the issues I list above, I'd still recommend this over any horror RPG you might find in current publication, especially the travesty of a 7th edition re-write. If you can get this reproduction for a reasonable price (which may not be an option), you will make enduring memories playing it with your friends.
- For some reason they chose to reproduce the second edition of the game, rather than the first. Hard to understand for a reproduction to celebrate the initial release of the game. Well, at least it's close enough to satisfy my nostalgia, and since prior to the current 7th re-written edition of Call of Cthulhu all the editions were completely compatible, it will serve my purpose. Which is of course to continue to play the game that I love, not some mutation that a younger generation believes must be better simply because it's newer.
- The cover of the box and the books and even the handouts all have a dull matte waxy texture. I can't imagine why. Although when I compare it to my Orient Express box, it appears to be the same. It's a little creepy to touch, but so be it.
- I will echo two sentiments that others have already expressed elsewhere. First, we were supposed to receive poster maps of Arkham and the world. What we got was one piece of poster-sized paper with one map printed on the front, and the other printed on the reverse. So you can't hang
- And finally, I was disgusted to see printed in several places a big long disclaimer about how there might be some unrealistic representations of some places or cultures in these products from the oh so evil 1980s, and how it was wrong then and wrong now to mis-represent that way. Oh, and how they've made some changes as a result. Well I really want to use profanity here. I paid premium money for a reprint of the original products, most of which I used to own. As an adult I'm responsible for my own reactions to fiction, and in this case, fantasy fiction. I paid for something and you did not give me what I ordered. I am furious.
So I hear you saying, "Bottom-line me, baby." Fine. This was one of the finest games ever produced. It makes most other RPGs stink on ice. In spite of the issues I list above, I'd still recommend this over any horror RPG you might find in current publication, especially the travesty of a 7th edition re-write. If you can get this reproduction for a reasonable price (which may not be an option), you will make enduring memories playing it with your friends.