it's unfortunate that there was a confusion/naming flamewar on this game in a lot of old-school circles. I even read it at the time without context and thought it was some mediocre hack style game it sure made a lot more sense that it was intended more towards newer players for that gameplay style, explains the bigger focus on common older mechanics at times on a re-read the mix of mechanics is way smoother than I thought. turning spell slots into a simili-usage dice is weird in the good way, characters progression system is funky and the tons of content roll lists scream easy dm prep, I can definitely see why it managed its success
VERY unfortunate. I still see people questioning is Kelsey is “really” one of “us” and calling the game a hack. It’s absurd, especially since the game is terrific and Kelsey learned to play in physical orbit of TSR. She’s also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
Thanks for the video! My favorite magic system has to be Shadowrun. You roll for drain, then you roll for damage, either on youself or your opponent. And you can cast any spell at any time as much as you want. Let's face it, if the spell wipes itself from your mind when it's cast, you'd be a vegetable by the time you got to third level.
Really looking forward to trying this out! It is very interesting that it totally is a bridge between old school/new school. Also love no darkvision haha
If you don’t love it, I’ll be shocked. I think we need to do a series of actual play adventures maybe do themes. Start with fantasy: ShadowDark, Dragonbane, Cypher System, Savage Worlds, Fantasy Age, Adventurous…that would be fun!
As a grognard older than yourself, I bounced off Shadowdark pretty hard when I first read and played it, but I still very much appreciated the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of this review, which is consistent with all of the excellent work you do on this channel. -Chris AKA Li’l C
Hey folks, thanks for all your great responses on the review! If you’re interested I interviewed Kelsey late last year, here’s the link - czcams.com/users/live6zRN6r8IUHg?si=zZm56Db39CMrUerz
This has been on my list for a while since I missed the Kickstarter. It feels a little steep for a RPG book like that. Would like to see a cheaper price. Especially since the majority of the magic type stuff comes from DCC (which I picked up a rulebook at their CON SPECIAL RATE of $15). Ultimately I know I will buy it (and everything shadowdark) because I love the theme. Great review, please keep them coming!!!!!
Shadowdark and dragonbane or both nice games. They do what their supposed to. But I just can´t understand the hype. Nothing unseen. Black-Sword-Hack for example is much more remarkable and fun in my view, and I finally played electric bastionland and read into the odd. Love both!
I can't speak to Dragonbane, as I've never played it before, but as for Shadowdark, it was never meant to be revolutionary. Kelsey Dionne deliberately designed it to act as a bridge between 5e and classic D&D, so that players of either style could find something familiar. It's allowed a lot of 5e players to discover the OSR and all its wonders, and if nothing else, I think that's great.
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I'm really regretting that I didn't get this during the Kickstarter, but it just didn't work out for me financially at the time and, as you mentioned at the beginning, I felt I had quite a few books/games like this already that I'm not actually running but instead pulling ideas from for my B/X game I run for my daughter. Dig your t-shirt!
Thanks! It dropped at the exact right time for me, I was so happy, but there are SO MANY kickstarters I have to pass on because…funds. What have you pulled over for your daughter’s game?
@@DMTalesTTRPG Around the same time(ish) as Shadowdark, I contributed to the Knave 2 Kickstarter. Although I've never played/used Knave, Ben's was one of the first TTRPG CZcams channels I discovered, and I wanted to support him. I know I'll use some of the tables from Knave 2 once I get the hard copy book. In the meantime, for my daughter's B/X game, in terms of "full games" (not including supplements) I've used stuff from: * Old School Essentials: Advanced Fantasy * Index Card RPG * MÖRK BORG * 5E D&D * 2E D&D * Lamentations of the Flame Princess * Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Those are the main things I can think of off the top of my head.
It takes the modern 5e bones and puts a skin of OSR on it, IMO
I think its a great mix
Add OSR muscle too and I’m totally in agreement :-)
And is really is a great mix! Such a fun game.
Shadowdark is my go-to now. Easy to customize for campaigns!
It is a lot of fun.
Solid review. Dragonbane and Shadowdark are my two favorite games right now.
They are both such excellent games.
Same for me. I run a Dragonbane game, and play in three Shadowdark games.
Cool!
@@jesseshultz3666 opposite for me.
I can’t wait to run more of both.
Well done to the thumbnail artist. Solid stuff :)
Thanks! This is probably my favorite one I’ve done.
it's unfortunate that there was a confusion/naming flamewar on this game in a lot of old-school circles. I even read it at the time without context and thought it was some mediocre hack style game
it sure made a lot more sense that it was intended more towards newer players for that gameplay style, explains the bigger focus on common older mechanics at times
on a re-read the mix of mechanics is way smoother than I thought. turning spell slots into a simili-usage dice is weird in the good way, characters progression system is funky and the tons of content roll lists scream easy dm prep, I can definitely see why it managed its success
VERY unfortunate. I still see people questioning is Kelsey is “really” one of “us” and calling the game a hack. It’s absurd, especially since the game is terrific and Kelsey learned to play in physical orbit of TSR. She’s also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
Well, I’m sold! Thank you for the thorough review. :-)
Thanks Elise!
Thanks for the video! My favorite magic system has to be Shadowrun. You roll for drain, then you roll for damage, either on youself or your opponent. And you can cast any spell at any time as much as you want. Let's face it, if the spell wipes itself from your mind when it's cast, you'd be a vegetable by the time you got to third level.
Sounds interesting. I haven’t looked at Shadowrun since the first core book came out!
Sounds like a fun system and that dark art style is AWESOME.
The art is AMAZING.
Nice job with the thumbnail. Looks like a fun system too!
The thumbnail as a lot of fun to make. And the system is terrific.
Thanks for doing these reviews
Thanks for watching.
Flat paper, book ribbon and glorious tables - no wonser youre loving this one 😆
It does check a lot of boxes!
Really looking forward to trying this out! It is very interesting that it totally is a bridge between old school/new school. Also love no darkvision haha
If you don’t love it, I’ll be shocked. I think we need to do a series of actual play adventures maybe do themes. Start with fantasy: ShadowDark, Dragonbane, Cypher System, Savage Worlds, Fantasy Age, Adventurous…that would be fun!
As a grognard older than yourself, I bounced off Shadowdark pretty hard when I first read and played it, but I still very much appreciated the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of this review, which is consistent with all of the excellent work you do on this channel. -Chris AKA Li’l C
Thank you.
lookin forward to getting a copy myself, i borrowed concepts from SD for my own version of the game too :)
Nice!
Hey folks, thanks for all your great responses on the review! If you’re interested I interviewed Kelsey late last year, here’s the link - czcams.com/users/live6zRN6r8IUHg?si=zZm56Db39CMrUerz
Great video - like always!
Thanks!
Drivethru RPG doesn't have an option for content in the inner cover pages. I really wish they were an option.
Bummer!
Excellent review! Had the pleasure of rubbing elbows with Kelsey at Green Dragon Fest just last weekend. She is absolutely fantastic!🐉⚔️
I’m jealous!!! How was it?? and Kelsey is about the kindest person I’ve encountered in gaming.
It was friggin cool🤓😎kinda like D&D in a castle but in a fantasy village. Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville TN🤘🏼🐉⚔️
@theweathereddragon1668 glad you had fun.
Nice review!
Thank you!
This has been on my list for a while since I missed the Kickstarter. It feels a little steep for a RPG book like that. Would like to see a cheaper price. Especially since the majority of the magic type stuff comes from DCC (which I picked up a rulebook at their CON SPECIAL RATE of $15). Ultimately I know I will buy it (and everything shadowdark) because I love the theme. Great review, please keep them coming!!!!!
Thanks! It was much cheaper during the kickstarter, but for the quality of the material it’s worth it
@@DMTalesTTRPG yep, still struggling with the cost because I would also get the Cursed Scroll 1,2,&3 :) Love What You Do!
@BryanSpellman yah. The cursed scrolls are great.
As far as cost, it is pretty standard for what is out there. You could get the free stuff that is on the website.
@@bamboozledgreatcrowd8982 it’s a TAD more expensive, but not obnoxiously so. And the quick start guide is PHENOMENAL.
Shadowdark and dragonbane or both nice games. They do what their supposed to. But I just can´t understand the hype. Nothing unseen. Black-Sword-Hack for example is much more remarkable and fun in my view, and I finally played electric bastionland and read into the odd. Love both!
OK.
I can't speak to Dragonbane, as I've never played it before, but as for Shadowdark, it was never meant to be revolutionary. Kelsey Dionne deliberately designed it to act as a bridge between 5e and classic D&D, so that players of either style could find something familiar. It's allowed a lot of 5e players to discover the OSR and all its wonders, and if nothing else, I think that's great.
@@Heritage367 oh I LOVE Shadowdark. So much fun.
@@Heritage367 Thank you dude. Sounds reasonable. Now I get it!
Its llike a Methadon -prog for D&D-Andys! XD
just joking. Thx again
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I'm really regretting that I didn't get this during the Kickstarter, but it just didn't work out for me financially at the time and, as you mentioned at the beginning, I felt I had quite a few books/games like this already that I'm not actually running but instead pulling ideas from for my B/X game I run for my daughter.
Dig your t-shirt!
Thanks! It dropped at the exact right time for me, I was so happy, but there are SO MANY kickstarters I have to pass on because…funds.
What have you pulled over for your daughter’s game?
@@DMTalesTTRPG Around the same time(ish) as Shadowdark, I contributed to the Knave 2 Kickstarter. Although I've never played/used Knave, Ben's was one of the first TTRPG CZcams channels I discovered, and I wanted to support him. I know I'll use some of the tables from Knave 2 once I get the hard copy book.
In the meantime, for my daughter's B/X game, in terms of "full games" (not including supplements) I've used stuff from:
* Old School Essentials: Advanced Fantasy
* Index Card RPG
* MÖRK BORG
* 5E D&D
* 2E D&D
* Lamentations of the Flame Princess
* Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Those are the main things I can think of off the top of my head.
I’m looking forward to getting Knave 2e
@@DMTalesTTRPG Me, too. I could've sworn the original delivery date was last fall. I've been following the updates, but sheesh!
It happens…but….wants…