Succubus Blues Fiction Review
By Flames | April 14, 2008
Georgina Kincaid just isn’t into her job. Sure, living off of the life energies of men she seduced used to be fun centuries ago, but now bringing good men down just makes her feel guilty. Is it too much for a succubus to ask to have just one worthwhile relationship in her immortal life? But fulfilling her dream of meeting the right man (who she won’t kill by sleeping with him) has to be put on hold when several minor immortals in the Seattle community are killed or murdered.
Review by Alana Abbott
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Prom Dates from Hell Fiction Review
By Flames | April 10, 2008
For those of us who were geeks in high school, comparing prom to hell wasn’t much of a stretch. The same can absolutely be said of Maggie Quinn, who has no intention of getting conned into going to prom. She doesn’t have a boyfriend, so that’s not a concern, and her stalwart friends have mocked the dance as much as she has in the past. But as the dance nears, and supernatural danger strikes, all of Maggie’s plans are scattered. Welcome to Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Prom Dates from Hell.
Review by Alana Abbott
Topics: Fiction Reviews | 3 Comments »
New cover artwork for Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium
By Flames | April 3, 2008
Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium has a new cover illustration, courtesy of Tariq Raheem (concept artist on TV shows like Farscape and video games like Heavenly Sword). This new artwork depicts a pair of Disciples about to come under attack from a group of demons led by a Pelogris.
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Hell’s Belles - Hell on Earth (Book 1) Fiction Review
By Flames | April 3, 2008
A few months ago I read the first three chapters of Jackie Kessler’s Hell’s Belles, but had to put it aside when I got caught up in library books and their due dates. My sieve of a memory left me doubtful of how well I could remember these opening stages when I picked the book up again the other day.
I needn’t have worried. I’m the first to admit that I’m very skeptical. Just because something is a best seller, or comes with gushy fangirlies, that doesn’t mean that it’ll automatically appeal to everyone. But I’m happy to report that this novel did appeal to me.
Review by Tez Miller
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More Pandemonium from Neoplastic Press
By Matt-M-McElroy | February 8, 2008
Rafael Chandler has announced the a new book in the Dread line-up:
Pent: The First Gospel of Pandemonium
Pent: The First Gospel of Pandemonium is a sourcebook for Dread that includes five ready-to-run scenarios and a dozen one-page adventure hooks. The scenarios include thoroughly fleshed-out locations, characters, setting information, and maps. Pent will be available in March 2008.
You can rad my review of Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium Review for an overview of this supernatural horror game. Pent sounds like a great supplement. New adventures, setting details and other goodies for a GM to throw at some demon hunters.
A sneak preview of Pent is available in pdf here.
Topics: Horror News | 1 Comment »
Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium Review
By Matt-M-McElroy | January 29, 2008
Dread is a violent horror game from Neoplastic Press about hunting demons and it is presented in a chaotic punk wave throughout the book. This review is of the revised and updated edition of the game. The revised edition cleans up some of the rules, expands the magic and adds a few new demons for the characters to deal with.
Topics: Roleplaying Game Reviews | 4 Comments »
Gumshoe - Esoterrorists/Fear Itself/Unremitting Horror RPG Review
By Flames | September 11, 2007
I got to talking with Sasha of Pelgrane at Gencon UK and ended up picking up Fear Itself and the Gumshoe version of The Book of Unremitting Horror and then, later, picking up a copy of The Esoterrorists on PDF. While most of the interest during the convention seemed to be fixed upon the Gumshoe version of Cthulu - Trail of Cthulu - its a shame that this hoary old classic, revamped and timeless as it is, seems to be overshadowing the work already done by Robin Laws (on the system) and Dave Allsop (on the modern horrific vision) of this trio.
Topics: Roleplaying Game Reviews | 1 Comment »
Hell to Pay Review
By Flames | June 4, 2007
The Nightside novels are Simon Green’s homage to the classic “hardboiled” detective fiction of the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. The strengths of these novels are the endlessly-varied settings and characters. In Hell to Pay, Simon’s signature Nightside hero, John Taylor, tackles a missing-persons case. Taylor finds himself at odds with militant nuns; cross-dressers with a strong sense of solidarity; and the usual array of angels, devils, and demigods.
Topics: Fiction Reviews | No Comments »
Seraphs Review
By Flames | May 7, 2007
Within the realm of post-apocalyptic novels and settings, there are books that inject religion into fire and brimstone and then there are those that fast-forward into a totalitarian, bleak, hungry future where hope is a luxury. In the realm of Seraphs, the main character, Thorn St. Croix, lives in a world that is somewhere in between. Angels, demons, neo-mages (advanced humans that lack souls), and biology are all at play in an ice age following a biblically-inspired apocalypse.
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Little Fears RPG Review
By Flames | March 13, 2007
It is not often that a role playing game makes you think. It is also a rare occurrence when a role playing game tackles a controversial subject, with grace and understanding. Upon reading Little Fears I was happy to have my first impressions of the game shattered. At first glance Little Fears is a game simply about childhood fears, which it is, but it is also about much more.
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End of Heroes Review
By Flames | February 16, 2007
Prophecies, magic, and a powerful darkness come to life in the novel End of Heroes, written by an up and coming author. Although this is a fantasy novel, there are many elements that do not follow the mainstream cutouts you might find in your local bookstore hidden away on the shelf. First and foremost, it is strongly apparent that there is an intelligent author behind the planning of this book. Herbst has created a very, well-detailed setting with a complex wizard society and magical rules.
Review by Monica Valentinelli
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Interview with Game Designer Brett M. Bernstein
By Flames | May 13, 2006
Unbidden, Iron Gauntlets and game design are just a few of the topics we talk to Brett about in this interview…
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Interview with artist Cathy Wilkins
By Flames | March 13, 2006
Cathy tells us about her work on Vampire: the Requiem and Demon: the Fallen. She also offers up a little advice for new artists…
Topics: Interviews | No Comments »
Dominion vs. Excorcist: the Beginning
By Flames | November 1, 2005
For those unaware, this is the “alternate” version of the Exorcist prequel, directed by Paul Schraeder. It marks the first time in history that two entirely different versions of a film have been commissioned by a studio, and that both have seen major release (though Dominion’s theatrical release was far more limited than that of The Beginning.) Naturally, watching the films inevitably breeds comparison between the two. So which is a better film? Which is a better prequel? Are the two mutually exclusive or do they go hand-in-hand? Let’s see, shall we?
Topics: TV Series and Movie Reviews | No Comments »
Kakurenbo Review
By Flames | October 30, 2005
Looking for a creepy anime to watch this Halloween? Give “Kakurenbo” a try. “Kakurenbo”, or “Hide and Seek,” is short, visually stunning movie. And I mean short. It’s only 25 minutes long. Yeah, that is pretty short, but instead of a movie think of it as an episode of “Tales From the Crypt.” Short and sweet, well more like short and scary. And something you can definitely fit into your busy schedule.
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Interview with Wil Upchurch
By Flames | February 24, 2005
In this interview Wil talks to us about working on the Midnight RPG from Fantasy Flight Games. He also tells us a little about Dawnforge and other projects he has been working on.
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Rapture: The Second Coming Review
By Flames | December 29, 2004
In recent years a host of post-apocalyptic games have flung themselves at the mercy of the gaming market. Rapture: The Second Coming is a setting created by William Spencer-Hale. Its post-apocalyptic echoes have strong religious overtones. While some games with a religious feel have lent themselves to popular Christian theology, Rapture flies in the face of such traditions through its conspiracy and depiction of the Vatican as the basis for all evil. The writers of Rapture are aware of its controversy, “Rapture does not attempt to embrace a religious ideal or promote one form of theology over another. On the contrary, in the context of the game, all religions have their truth, no matter what their view of God may be.” (Page 24) The game is no less controversial for having the explanation, however. Its character classes span the realm of modern-day religion and stereotypes.
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Inside the Zone Supplement Review
By Flames | September 25, 2004
To play within the Zone, players must first understand the design of the setting. Inside the Zone does a great job of describing its highly efficient structure. But the book does more than describe its physical setting. Layers of religions, Kults and politics intertwine with one another throughout the book. It is almost as if you are a god watching the inner workings of Zone society. The book is a must-read for anyone who wishes to play in the Zone.
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Obsidian: the Age of Judgement Review
By Flames | September 24, 2004
So Obsidian begins its underlying premise, written as if it were a great, literary work. The philosophy is blunt and unrepentant. Humans are born as parasites in the universe of “The Sheol.” Daemons, pre-humanity, originate as harmless creatures. Greed, perversion, hate and corruption, all byproducts of human evolution, warp a delicate balance of co-existence within the “The Sheol.” These negative energies turn the daemons into the archetypes we think of today. God, or “The Divinity” in Obsidian’s universe, then separates the warped plane from Earth into nine Circles in an attempt to prevent the darkness from spreading.
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Unbidden Game Review
By Flames | September 20, 2004
Written by Mark Bruno and Brett M. Bernstein, Unbidden interweaves the supernatural with modern-day life. It forces its players to create characters that are as real as your neighbor next door. Your character, whether it be a member of your local clergy or an average executive, is then transformed as their awareness of the world around them increases. Seeing with new eyes, your character will play in a world dominated by the quintessential fight between good and evil. While the war between the forces of light and darkness is not new to gaming, the idea that you, as a gamer, are forced to play an everyday citizen without the trappings of magic, powers, and other items is refreshing. As you play “Unbidden,” you will find that your character will soon become an extension of yourself.
Topics: Roleplaying Game Reviews | 1 Comment »