It's free so it is definitely worth the price. As a quick start this is one of the best out there. The rules are comprehensive enough to run the obligatory scenario. The art is exceptional. The rules are simple and elegant. I like the simplicity of the d10 system and the broad range of possibilities that it takes account of without being overbearing.

The setting is intriguing. There is alot in this set of rules enough to whet the appetite while leaving you wanting more.

I didn't really know anything about the system before I downloaded this. It was hard to figure out that it was a d10 system because the refrence was hidden in a rather obscure passage before the disscussion of the rules began in earnest. This cost me some time.

Overall this intrigued me enough that I will probably buy the core rule book.

Recently I was given the opportunity to review Damnation View, the first storybook for CthulhuTech. Some of you may remember that I reviewed the CthulhuTech core rulebook in October 2008. Alas I haven’t had the opportunity to actually play the game, but I when I had the chance to read another CthulhuTech book I didn’t hesitate a second. The strange marriage of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos and Japanese anime series is just too intriguing to ignore.

So, what is Damnation View? Damnation View is the first in a series of storybooks that provide game masters (or Storyguides) with information on what happens in the CthulhuTech metaplot during the eventful year 2086. But even if you don’t want to follow the metaplot, there’s more than enough stuff in the 148-paged book (please note that this review is based on the PDF version of the book). Since this book is mainly meant for the use of GMs I will try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible.

As with the CthulhuTech core book the artwork in Damnation View is top-notch and the layout is pretty clean. Some of the fiction sections in the book are in white letters on a grayish background which can be a bit hard on the eyes. But that’s just a minor quibble. The overall production quality is great.

The book contains five chapters containing minor and major plots that the GM may use in his campaigns, background information on the world of CthulhuTech (like what’s the latest fashion in 2086), ready-to-use NPCs, new types of monsters, and new technologies. Between the chapters short fiction pieces help the reader to better immerse into the world of CthulhuTech. Even if you don’t want to use the meta plot, there’s enough stuff in that book that would justify the purchase.

The plots in the book contain enough information that an experienced GM could run them as adventures or series of adventures with no or almost no preparation. Each plot is divided into three acts. For each act the book provides a list of goals (what the players have to achieve), a setting (where the action takes place) and a list of cast (which NPCs play a role in this act), important plot points, and detailed stats for friends and foes alike.

Although there’s a complete campaign hidden in that book it’s not as fully fleshed out as in other books of that nature. And that’s actually a good thing. The Storyguide (or GM) is free to use the plots, ignore them or use them as backdrop for his own adventures. And when he decides to follow the metaplot he still has the freedom to make the stories his own. Perhaps I should mention that Damnation View also contains several Special Services character templates that allow players to create characters that are member of the NEG Special Services, or the “Freak Show”. The new templates are the Special Services Field Agent, the Investigator, and the Sorcerer.

Damnation View is definitely a book that makes me want to run a CthulhuTech campaign. The plots and background information provided in the book make it much easier to run a campaign following the metaplot or creating your own adventures. And even if you don’t like metaplots there’s a lot of material any CthulhuTech GM can use. If you are a player, you probably should avoid buying Damnation View unless your GM doesn’t intend to use it in his campaign. It’s practically impossible not to be spoiled.

But I wholeheartedly recommend Damnation View for everyone interested in running CthulhuTech.

I only recently discovered this gaming system. Unfortunately the developers ran into some publishing issues with Catalyst Games and still have not found a new publisher so the hard copies of these books are getting ridiculously expensive. Thankfully DriveThru is now offering these books for download and they are inexpensive.

Now on to the good stuff.

So far I love the system. It is a very interesting variation on a D10 System that is really strange at first, but once you get in the full swing of things it is pretty awesome. Combat can be clunky at times and the base rules state you should roll Initiative every round, but after a few minor tweaks my regular gaming group and I have really found enjoyment in doing something different for a change. We were getting sick of the d10 system that White Wolf uses and d20 also gets old after awhile.

The setting is fantastic! One can really tell that the creative team behind this has a love for gaming and storytelling. There is something for every one available from this game. If you want to run a old fashioned Cthulhu game of Horror and Suspense and of course Insanity you can! On the flip side if you want to run a futuristic Sci-Fi run and gun with Mecha that is available as well. Or if you want to do something in between it works way better than you would ever expect.

There is no way that Mecha, Sorcery, Psychics, and Chulhu should blend together this well, but it does. and it works really really well.

If you and your gaming group are looking for something completely different, love blending a few different genre's together than I truly think you should give this game a shot. With a rich and detailed history and 4 excellent supplements already out for it, and 2 more waiting for publishing, you can't go wrong with C-tech.

Looks like a very interesting setting, and at some point I'll try running a game (though I haven't yet). I really like the idea of combining giant mechs, aliens and the creeping horrors of Lovecraft.

Only question I can't answer yet: can I shoot at a Great Old One in CthulhuTech and expect any chance of survival?

The artwork is awesome, and there are a few short stories throughout the book that really give you a good grasp of the setting.

Can't wait to play it.