Chris Pramas

A generic fantasy role-playing game system, albeit with more emphasis on roleplaying than earlier efforts. Not a bad system per se; there are only three classes (mage, rogue, warrior) which can be modified to taste. Character generation is 3d6 six for attributes, and also uses 3d6 for combat/task resolution, which eliminates the need for the fancy polyhedrals of many similar systems, possibly making it more beginner-friendly. Green Ronin is clearly going to be relying on sourcebooks for interesting worlds in order to sell this game.… (more)

Dragon Age is a video gaming property with a lot of players and a series to draw upon. As well as the video games themselves, there are tie in books and graphic novels that have further expanded the background of the franchise.

Chris Pramas and Green Ronin Games has put together a fine basic game here, built on the AGE gaming system (Adventure Game Engine). The AGE system uses 6-sided dice, with any success checks by either players or Gamemaster involving the throw of three dice - two of one colour and one of another. In this game, the third is called the Dragon Die, and it determines how successful a success is. If you throw the dice and get a success, a Dragon Die with a low value shows a very basic success, while a high value means you achieve something extra special with the possibility of something extra, like more information or extra style. In any situation, including combat, throwing a double means you have managed a Stunt - a extra flourish which might be compared with a special move in a game like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat or Soul Calibre. Depending on the result of the Dragon Die, you spend Stunt Points equal to that value to add value to your result - like knocking an opponent prone, delivering a mighty blow, or driving an attack through your target and on to an adjacent foe.

The rest of the game relies on the same basic mechanic - roll three dice, add your basic attribute plus any expertise (or Focus) and beat either a static target number or the value rolled (or possessed) by your opponent. Want to sneak by a guard - throw an opposed Dexterity (Stealth) check against the guard's Perception (Seeing) to determine if you succeed. Fighting a Genlock, roll 3d6 Strength Weapon Focus versus the enemies Defence to hit, and hope that your Damage can get through his Armour.

A very simple game to pick up with no previous knowledge of the Dragon Age universe to play. The Player Book deals with character generation, the basic game mechanics and some game background. The Gamemaster Book provides assistance in how to run a game, setting up encounters, statistics for adversaries, and an adventure.

The box contains a 64-page Player Book, 64-page Gamemaster Book, a poster map of the nation of Ferelden, and 3 six-sided dice.… (more)