Brett's Blog There's a clone for that... May 26, 2010 | 12:19 pm I really don't understand what's going on. Every time I turn around, there's a new retro-clone game. I happened upon this new one called Dark Dungeons. It looks like yet another Basic D&D clone (perhaps the Rules Cyclopedia). I'm sure it's a nice game, but what gives? How many do we need? And why can't we just play Basic/Advanced/etc. D&D if that's what you want? Makes no sense to me. Aren't two or three enough? Anyway, I digress. I always say "if you're going to make a game that's already been done, at least make it different." That's what Ancient Odysseys is. It's retro, but not a clone. It feels like original D&D, but it's simpler, makes more sense, and is (in my opinion) cooler. Everything is subjective, of course, but enough with the clones... bring on the new and different. And don't forget to pick up the Treasure Awaits! Pocket Softcover. Just shove it in your pocket and go :) 3 Comments | Add Comment | Permanent Link | Return to Overview trekfanatic Commented: May 26, 2010 | 3:01 pm Normally, I agree with you about clones- although Mazes and Minotaurs is awesome- but in this case, if this book really is the Rules Cyclopedia then it actually does have a reason to exist. The Rules Cyclopedia, or the four boxed sets that it comprises, is extremely expensive and the Dark Dugeons clone is not. Of course, I say that currently being enamored of Pathfinder, itself basically a clone. :lol: Still, I prefer original games, like Hardnova II or Barbarians of Lemuria. I'm keenly interested in BASH too, but it's pricey for me at the moment. cknason Commented: May 27, 2010 | 11:38 am Dark Dungeons isn't my cup of tea because it's a weird love-child of the Cyclopedia and some 3.x stuff. Not to mention all those freakin' charts... the weapon feats section gave me a nosebleed. Regarding retro-clones in general, I don't have a problem with them. People have their "dream games" that they feel they want to share with the rest of the gaming world and there's nothing wrong with that. For a lot of older gamers, this is their chance to put together the game system they always wanted D&D to be. I'm cool with that, and I'd be a hypocrite if I said I never wanted to do that myself. It's the game I started with 20+ years ago and the one I invariably find myself falling back to on occasion. Then I clear my head and move on to something else. :wink: trekfanatic Commented: May 27, 2010 | 1:39 pm Dark Dungeons- Yeah, I finally got it to downlaod and got a look at it, so it's not so much the Rules Cyclopedia as it a hot mess brew of Basic and 3.x. Not my thing either. I was hoping it was the Rules Cyclopedia. :lol: As for dream systems... I have always house ruled, and in fact it is one of my top priorities when buying a game that it be easily house ruled, but I have only ever authored my own version of a game- DC Heroes. I love that game and I revised and expanded it 2 years ago into a homebrew 4th edition. It's a shame there is no way of it ever seeing the light of day. Add Comment