Fulminata reviewed Reign Enchiridion by Greg Stolze
Review of 'Reign Enchiridion' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I ended up liking this game a lot more than I thought I would. I got it because it's a game that's apparently got a lot of play from the designers of Diaspora, a game that I really like, and I thought it would be worth taking a look at solely based on that.
My initial look at the book did not impress me. Something about the layout just left me cold, so I put it down without reading it and left it there for weeks.
Once I did actually pick it up and start reading my opinions began to change. The layout proved to be well designed for actually reading the book. The underlying mechanics, the one roll engine (ORE), seemed a bit clunky at first read, but as I read more and more examples of their use throughout the book I became more intrigued by them and now …
I ended up liking this game a lot more than I thought I would. I got it because it's a game that's apparently got a lot of play from the designers of Diaspora, a game that I really like, and I thought it would be worth taking a look at solely based on that.
My initial look at the book did not impress me. Something about the layout just left me cold, so I put it down without reading it and left it there for weeks.
Once I did actually pick it up and start reading my opinions began to change. The layout proved to be well designed for actually reading the book. The underlying mechanics, the one roll engine (ORE), seemed a bit clunky at first read, but as I read more and more examples of their use throughout the book I became more intrigued by them and now want to see how they actually play out in a game.
Of course, the biggest issue with this game is why another fantasy game? The main distinction is the Company mechanics that focus the game on both the characters and the organization they belong to, whether that be a social club or an empire. The Company rules are why you'd play this game instead of some other fantasy RPG.
The world is also intriguing. It reminds me a bit of Glorantha in that it follows the laws of myth rather than reality, with three dimensional continents on a flat ocean, and an unmoving sun in the sky. It feels like a fantasy world, and not just another medieval mashup with magic.
The artwork was another factor that I wasn't sure of at first, but the minimal line drawings have a mix of Asian and African style that perfectly fits the setting. Once I got more familiar with that setting I came to appreciate the art more.
Overall an interesting game that I'm now looking forward to giving a try.
