The basic mechanics underlying Iron Gauntlets are sound and simple to use: it's a dice pool based on attributes and skills. However, there wasn't a lot that I liked apart from the elegance of the system.

The layout is cheap-looking, using too many fonts which don't go together and too many clipart illustrations in contrasting styles. It looks as if the designers are not native speakers of English from certain eccentric choices of spelling and vocabulary (I've never heard of a "commanding sword" and "prostrated skills" sounds painful) and translation could have been better. Character creation is easy but not well thought out from a balance point of view: certain choices of background are straight-out nerfs, for instance. Combat is again simple to master but little thought seems to have been given to it (for example, you can add armour pieces, but they have no effect whatsoever in the game) Magic comes in three varieties, one form obviously weaker than the other two. The Magic rules are very vague indeed and magic skills have rather confusing names. The experience system comes across as a straitjacket trying to squeeze you into running your own games in a certain way, to which many GMs (or "directors" as IG calls them) are simply going to say, "No thanks."

Overall, it starts out as a good idea but the presentation is somewhat cheap and nasty and there are many aspects in dire need of revision.

Iron Gauntlets is what fantasy role playing should be. The Impresa system is excellent, and I'm already in the process of converting some of my existing campaigns to the Impresa system. Iron Gauntlets puts Impresa to good use. The use of vocations, flairs, and gimmicks is a great example of game design. The magic system is excellent; it's complete but also expandable. All the fantasy races are present in Iron Gauntlets, including centaurs. It's a great set of rules and I've begun to use it with my kids. I guess the best thing I can say is that my 8-year old has no trouble with the system, while at the same time, I find the rules have all the depth I require of a role-playing game.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The added paper minis and map tiles were a nice touch to get my campaign started.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: The artwork is of inconsistent quality and tone.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

The Iron Gauntlets PDF is 116 pages with color cover and b&w interior. Reference sheets, a two-page character sheet, a page of paper miniatures and nine color battle maps are also included. There is no index, but the PDF is bookmarked. The layout is clean and better than many of the 'amateur' PDFs that I see. I have seen much of the interior clip art before, but it is used here to good effect and is of even quality for the most part.

The Iron Gauntlets core rules deliver a complete RPG. There are rules for character creation, magic, a bestiary and task resolution. There is also a section for the gamemaster (called the Director in IG) with information you would expect, including advice on adjudicating magic, customizing characters, story hooks and magic items.

Character creation involves picking a character race, background and vocation (analogous to a class), assigning points to six normal abilities (and one or more magic abilities for characters that use magic), assigning points to skills and purchasing equipment. Abilities can be customized by the use of Flairs, which refine character abilities. For instance, a player may refine his thief character by giving him a dexterity flair to his fitness ability. Flairs act as a bonus or penalty to the associated ability and most total zero. Characters can be further customized with Gimmicks, which act as bonuses and flaws.

Task resolution in Iron Gauntlets is similar to many other sytems, but has its own wrinkles. Essentially, the Director picks a difficulty for a task and this determines how many 'steps' are required for success. The player rolls a number of dice equal to the relevant ability for the task. If a skill is involved, each die rolled less than or equal to the relevant skill level counts as a step toward success. If the player possesses no relevant skill, a step is only achieved on a roll of one. Luck can also be used to affect tasks and tasks can also be contested, resisted, sustained, etc.

Magic is divided into Crafting, Divinity, Essence and Totem-based forms. Each form consists of various methods and styles used to achieve the practitioner's ends. The various magical abilities work like skills with a difficulty scale based on what effect the practitioner wants to achieve. The magic chapter is definitely the crunchiest part of the rules, but there is also plenty of flexibility and ideas for players and Director alike.

Iron Gauntlets falls squarely into the 'rules light' RPG camp.If you need a system that tells you exactly how many minutes a torch burns or how many miles a horse can be ridden in a day, Iron Gauntlets is not for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a fast and flexible RPG that has many of the traditional tropes, you should give it a look.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The system is flexible, but still packs plenty of detail. The layout and writing are a cut above the average PDF.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: I wanted more examples of how to use magic. A sample adventure or setting information would have been a nice addition.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

I'm really impressed with this product. IG provides a very complete RPG-system in less than a hundred pages, including world-building issues, bestiary and even card-stock characters and locations.

The chargen-system allows for creating rather consistend characters with respect to race, background and profession. Furthermore there are neat mechanics for adding flair to stats and special styles to skills. The price-value-realtion is very good. <br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Hm, I think everything.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There could be a sample world inculded, but that's not really drawback considering the price and the availability of IG specific-settings.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Iron Gauntlets is an easy to use system presented in a clean .pdf format. The system can be used as a stand alone RPG or it could be added upon in order to make a more detailed game. Either way, the rules should work for any fantasy styled game. I would like to see the manufacturer come out with an Iron Gauntlets Magic Supplement and perhaps some sort of Expanded Bestiary Companion. I also think a detailed example of combat should be added to the IG core rules, perhaps a combat between several players and a monster. <br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Easy to learn, presented in a good clean format.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

Now THIS is what roleplaying is supposed to be. I've gotten jaded with systems that over emphasize combat and magic systems to the detriment of the actual fun of telling the story. This book gives enough info to get started and plenty of breathing room for an experienced game master. Great stuff.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

A typical fantasy setting for an otherwise interesting set of rules. Nothing that any GM couldn't come up with on their own. If you need a set of fantasy rules quick, these will do; however, I'd save your money and get the Active Exploits/Genre Diversion 1/Impressa Express rules and have a go at it yourself. Chances are what you come up with will be as good, if not better.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Clean layout. Clearly written.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Typical fantasy setting.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

Outstanding product! A solid fantasy product that gives a little uummph to the standard fantasy genre.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Fresh perspective, supports AE2, an innovative system.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: More non-standard fantasy races would have been the icing on the cake.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

A good basic fantasy background based on the free Impresa Express (tm) generic rpg rules. Anyone who wants a simple, easy to play, and well rounded campaign world would do well to purchase Iron Gauntlets.

This is an excellent and well thought out game with a lot to offer. The flexibility of the system makes it a joy to use.