Though I have to admit I’m more of a fantasy roleplayer than anything else these days, I used to dabble in futuristic worlds from time to time. That list included FASA‘s Battletech and Mechwarrior, Dream Pod 9‘s Heavy Gear, R. Talsorian Games‘ Cyberpunk 2020, GDW‘s Traveller, West End Games‘ Paranoia and Star Wars Roleplaying Game… and I’m sure I’m missing a few.

But it’s been a while since I’ve seriously looked at anything in science fiction. So Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century from writer Lawrence R. Sims and publisher SSDC Inc. was a bit of a shock to the system. That said, as I read through the rules it was a bit of a throwback to older, more complex systems and the setting was quite intriguing. It hit me a bit like the webcomic Schlock Mercenary meeting the backstory of Aliens or Blade Runner where the corporations run everything.

The Battlelords rulebook weighs in at 292 pages with a crisp, clean technical look and feel that reminded me of the Cyberpunk 2020 books. The artwork really sells the setting well for me, with art scattered every few pages throughout the book. With a product of this size, the amount of artwork was refreshing.

For the rest of this review, check out http://www.gameknightreviews.com/2011/04/book-review-battlelords-of-the-twenty-third-century-rulebook--
by-lawrence-r-sims-and-ssdc/