The light, easily digestible rules are reminiscent of classic games such as GURPS: they are attribute and skill-based, with a system of advantage/disadvantage points distributed during the slightly convoluted PC creation process (there's indeed a bit a back and forth on skills and attributes). Still, once everything is in place, the system is very fast and very flexible, which gives plenty of room for the GM to concentrate on the storytelling. The system contains some clever little variations too, like three levels of damage per weapon, which has the positive effect of getting rid of wildly differing weapon damages on successful hits (I don't know why this approach isn't used in other OSR-like games).

The Tékumel setting, although not described in detail, is present throughout: besides the many good, clean B&W creature and character illustrations, one also gets a gorgeous B&W map of the city of Katalál (wish it'd been in color), a very extensive spell list, random-encounter rules per environment (city, jungle, Sákbe-road, etc.), as well as rules to create characters that start their adventuring lives with the premises of good Tékumelani backstories: one could be a spy for instance, or a magic-power dampener, or the owner of some attribute-boosting "sorcerous" device. Such details fire up the imagination and help players (and GMs) flesh out their characters and adventures.

I got mine the other night, and it's beautiful! Very nicely laid out, chock full of information. I mean just dripping with details. It clocks in at 262 pages, and they are packed with rich information about the world and the game system. Lots of tables and charts, which I could spend days reading just for fun. It has lots of art too, which is more along the lines of the original AD&D monster manual—that is, old-school line art. But the pictures are great and the style has a definite charm. The maps in the back are GORGEOUS. I spent a long time poring over the city map of Katalal (zoomed up to 600% so I could see every street and hovel). That map is an AMAZING piece of art. It makes the city seem alive. The map of the surrounding countryside, and the hex map of Tsolyanu are beautiful too. All in all, I have to say this product really delivers. They have truly done right by Professor Barker, and by any fan who purchases this book. Whether you get the PDF or the print copy (or both!) you will surely be very pleased!