First let me say that I purchased this PDF as a part of a bundle with four OSR adventure mods, so in effect, I paid 50 cents for it. The system itself is skill based via the MRQSRD from what I can see, with the added innovation of die pool combat and an initiative system that reminds me of the 80s Star Trek game's movement rules. The setting is an omage to 70s and 80s TSR fair. I particularly like the attention given to "Oriental Adventures" style play. The "Creature Catalog" is an impressive mix of European and Japanese fantasy standards. Conversion rules to OSR are provided. The couple of pieces of Larry Elmore art are a nice bonus. Two issues keep this PDF from being a five star product: no maritime combat rules, and no guidelines for playing non-European fantasy races.

Starting with its fabulous foreword about roleplaying games, about old ones and new ones, Altus Adventum promises us a fun and old-school roleplaying. To be different than others, author says “If you don't like a rule or just you are thinking that it will ruin fun, remove it.” Altus Adventum is a rulebook that completely gives materials to run a game.

I think I could use this system in my games. Not because it is old-school or anything, it is because I like the idea of lots of kinds of magic, and wizard fighters or rogues who doesn't only use their blades to kill. Because Altus Adventum is not a “I got a level higher” game, but a “Woohoo, because I used my lance in fights, so I'm better in that” game(I'm just saying, characters in game does not level up, but they gain xp to upgrade their skills). And because you have several types of experience, your interest in magic won't disturb your fighter way too much, yet you are not going to be skillful with weapons as a full-time fighter. This skill-based character development system, gives players to create unique character, not only in habits but also in character sheet, you possibly will not say to another character “Oops, looks like we are twins”.

Also its combat system seems a bit fun. That reflex rating and dice pool system, they are not unique but exotic. And again because I like the idea that getting nearer to real time, it hits me from my weak spot. Reflex Rating system lets a knife-wielding rogue to hit a barbarian two or three times until it slashes rogue with its gigantic axe. Also lots of strategic opportunities. I can't take myself from thinking when it is about reflex rating. But this is just because I like it, it may also be dead weight to your games. Dice pool system is for munchkins. You may create a good fighter that can slice a fly in air two pieces. A monk that can run from an asteroid. But munchkins were, munchkins are, and munchkins will be. In any system. I am a munchkin(I am proud of it) also and any rulebook will not say anything about that, because we are working legally.

Starting near of end of book, It presents a setting named Arcadia, and a sample adventure(also a bestiary), it is something good because most rulebooks don't have them and any new started game master will get confused, any experienced gamemaster will have some problems tweaking system for their setting. This is nothing new, and nothing more than it promises, but it is nothing bad, fairly good compared to lots of system and it is product of hard work of one man, despite a company. Drawings are not bad, there are some typing mistakes that can be ignored.

There is a lot I like about Altus Adventum, but ultimately it fails to stand out in any particular way.

The setting blends Western and Eastern fantasy, and generally touches on most everything. However, it doesn't feel particularly original, and while the rules are at least not a direct d20 system, they're a little more obtuse than would be nice, and needlessly complex.

The art is generally decent, but it feels like it's drawn from way too many places and at times there are pieces that could have used a quick once-over with blur so the lines aren't just pure black or pure white, which is something I'd really expect from an older book, and with better art mixed in it's unacceptable.

That said, for $9, you get a lot, but it's not specialized and focused. At least it does come with an example scenario, which is an often-overlooked feature.