Product Reviews

The DM Doctor now reviews RPG Products!

Each month, I'll be reviewing RPG products (and maybe other games) sent to me or that I purchase. Unless specified, these reviews will NOT be paid sponsorships. By that, I mean that I will not be accepting money or credits in return for the reviews. This is to ensure that every single review is taken from the least biased approach possible.

All products will be reviewed from a design point of view. I'll add player and gamemaster comments in some cases. Below, you will find the review template, criteria, what I am looking at specifically, and how many points are available.

Cost vs Value — Cost of product versus the value of the content. (20 points)
Art — Does the art match up to the content or product? (10 points)
Readability — Is the product easy to read and understand? (20 points)
Mechanics — Are the mechanics solid? Is there a need tweaking? (15 points)
Stand-alone-ability — Excluding core game materials, how many other materials are required to used this product? (15 Points)
Originality — How original is the spin and design of the product? (20 points)
Overall Score — Out of 100 possible points.
Review Notes — My comments and ramblings about the product. I will try to keep to a designer notes review because I know that everyone has different preferences in the way they choose to play their games.

To wrap up each review, I will let you know where you can find the product.

If there is a product you would like for me to review, then send me an email or hit me up on social media (twitter, facebook, and google+). Remember to post your comments and concerns over any review on the individual product review's page.

Comments

Primary Wall of Force Puzzle: Simply Complicated or Complicatedly Simple RPG Puzzles (GM TIPS)

Sometimes games and sessions can become stale and monotonous. All the skill checks, hacking and slashing through enemies that don't measure up to min-maxed characters— you name it, sometimes you'll get bored with it. So how can you create a challenge without creating an arms race? Today's GM Tip is all about showing you how you can make simple puzzles that seem challenging. Sometimes just by making a simple puzzle seem complicated, it can stump your players for a period of time. The best part, characters can still use their rolls to aid them, but there is no auto-success. What this means is that you aren't trying to blunt off the head of a nuke (somewhat pointless). Let's dive right into a quick puzzle and so you can get a better idea. Primary Wall of Force Puzzle Primary Wall of Force RPG Puzzle This puzzle works at any level. The puzzle itself is a made up of six different magic items (one for each color and symbol). Doesn't seem so scar

Puzzle of Persistence (RPG Logic Puzzle)

Need a new puzzle to drop into your next D&D, Pathfinder, or other RPG system session? Remember last year when I first released my Primary Wall of Force Puzzle and been dying for a new one? Many D&D DMs and Pathfinder GMs, and players alike went berserk trying to solve the answer to my 'simple' puzzle last time. It was probably my most successful GM Tip to date. Well, I know it has been forever and a half since my last posting. I felt it was time to start making new puzzles to drop into your RPGs. (Perhaps one a little more memorable). Below you will find the puzzle. I will post the solution next week; however, if you need the answer so you can use this puzzle for your weekend game, then e-mail , tweet , or post on my facebook page . The rules for this puzzle are simple. Follow the logic train. If you use this in a game, make sure you reserve the name spellings. That's your first hint! Name Persistence Valyrie L. and James C. are of equal persistence,

How to Choose an RPG System (and Prepare for Your First GM Session) - So You Think You Can GM? (GM Tips Part I)

Bonus Week, Day #2! (This post contains some affiliate links) You have decided that you want to run your first game as a gamemaster (GM) or perhaps you have been trying, but things don’t seem to be going as smoothly as you thought. Maybe you struggle with how to choose a roleplaying game system for your next game. Or you just don't know which game system to start with in the first place. Well, no need to worry, because The DM Doctor will get things turned around! “So You Think You Can GM?” is a new blog series I am running (vlogs to come in the future). I will be jumping in to help new and old GMs alike to bring out the best of each and every game. This is the main reason I started this blog. Though this series targets Dungeons and Dragons and The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, the advice will branch over to other systems. First thing’s first: So you think you can GM? Really? You? Of course YOU! Well, frankly, yes you can. Anybody can. Being a GM isn’t about being the mo

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