I suck at writing reviews. I keep trying to start and other than saying "This book is amazing" I struggle to put the words together to express my opinions. Usually because I don't think I'm critical enough of a product. There's no way, for example, that a book can be this good...no offense intended to Mike Evans, but nothing is perfect, there are always areas to improve...especially when you're talking about a monster tome the size of Hubris, and also a company's first product release? Come on. I'm sure there was tons that could have been done better with Santa is Dead, but I have the luxury of that product not getting scrutinized year round and being viewed through the lens of a christmas farce (although it's truly anything but, thanks to the amazing talents of Evey Lockhart and team).
But there is nothing bad I can say about Hubris, other than maybe I want more out of it, but I've no time to play it. That's not Mike's fault though, that's my own...so even that isn't a problem with the product in any way, shape, or form.
This is a hefty book that you need to physically have at the table. Not because you need to flip back and forth and reference it constantly, but because you'll want to. You'll want to turn to a random page and pull out a detail and use it. You'll want to throw your players into the middle of this world and set them loose upon a place that yearns to destroy them...no, to change them, to warp them until they are as twisted and infected by the cruelty that permeates this massive landscape.
There are terrible things here, wonderful in their awfulness, and this place begs to be explored in its entirety. Which may be an impossible task; but you'll find yourself coming back to it again and again, as I have, looking for inspiration.
I just wish I had something critical to say. Maybe when I've finally run it, and finished it, and can say "There wasn't enough in this book", but I honestly doubt that will happen.
Which is a shame, because if the bar is set this high by Mike Evans, what hope do I have of putting out something better?
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |