Retro Review: 4th Edition DnD

It's important for any reviewer to do the following:

1) Get the game on the table and play

2) Remember that any game, no matter the system, is only as good as its players and DM

3) Speaking to D&D specifically: Remember that 1st edition players hated 2nd edition and 2nd edition players thought 3rd edition's skill system killed roleplaying.

I'm an old school, Fighting Man, white box gamer from 1978 and have seen the industry wax and wane over the decades. In many ways, I felt the same way about v3.0 back in 2000 as I did about my first look at 4th. A friend brought a copy of the 3rd ed Player's Handbook to a LARP I was running back in the day. I took one flip through and handed it back scoffing, "This isn't D&D."

Partial Co-Op Horror: Betrayal at House on the Hill (3-6 players)

Betrayal at House on the Hill Rules + Revised Tomes PDF

"Betrayal is an innovative, unpredictable and fun game, especially if you are a horror buff."

Betrayal at the House on the Hill is a partial co-op board game for 3-6 players, ages 12+, that draws its inspiration from classic horror stories; we've recently started calling it "Cabin in the Woods" The Boardgame.

Gaming Gear: Maps of Mastery, Christopher West

"Chris West loves gaming and expresses that love with an artist's eye. Luckily for gamers, he shares that eye with the rest of us."

Back in the olden days of roleplaying, maps were crude scribblings on graph paper, dictated to the players by the Dungeon Master. Mapping caverns by hand gave you a feeling of exploration; you used your imagination to fill in the details of the surroundings that the DM described. Unfortunately, not everyone at the table imagined those same details.

Arguments were common about who was where, what was in the room and how close that ogre was to the brazier full of hot coals. Savvy DMs and players slipped around the arguments and kept the game moving, but it was always the most frustrating part of a session. There are times that I miss those days, mostly for the nostalgia of making due with what we had. Well, the day has finally come where we don't have to make due. We have Christopher West.

Co-Op Fantasy: Shadows Over Camelot (3-7+ players)

Shadows Over Camelot Rules PDF

"Shadows remains one of the best cooperative games on the market."

Shadows Over Camelot is a cooperative game of epic fantasy for 3-7 players (8 with the Merlin's Company expansion), ages 10 and up. Players take on the roles of Knights of the Round Table, including King Arthur, Sir Galahad, Sir Percival and Sir Kay. These knights must work together to finish quests before Mordred completes his siege of Camelot.

Card Game: Edition Wars (3-5 players)

"Edition Wars is easy to learn, easy to teach and full of laughs."

When I first flipped through the short rulebook, my impression was that the game was too simple. Then I read the Gamemaster personalities, the Swag (equipment) cards and the Critical Effect cards and couldn't stop laughing.

Partial Co-Op Zombies!: Last Night on Earth (2-6 players)

Last Night on Earth Rules PDF

"Last Night on Earth continues to be our go-to game for quick, fun and easy play."

Last Night on Earth is a partially cooperative game of zombie survival for 2-6 players ages 12 and up. The game is easy to learn, fast to play and even comes with its own soundtrack. The basic box set comes with five scenarios, eight heroes and multiple map configurations, giving it high replay value.