Customer Reviews

Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent roleplaying game, and I learned the game out of this manual. if you have to choose, though, the Revised and Expanded version is much better, albeit expensive. I think it's worth it though. Easily the best RPG ever- appeals to gamers and "non-nerds" alike. More questions before you buy? E-mail me!

Reviewer's note: There are actually TWO different versions of the second edition of this book, and book sellers VERY OFTEN confuse the two and list them in the wrong place (so it is best to always ask beforehand to be safe). For this reason, I have included this review under both the 1992 and 1996 versions of this book (so please excuse me if you see it more than once). However, since I didn't know where most buyers would start, I figured it was best to provide this information under all relevant locations to be safe. That said:

This is the classic D6 version of the Star Wars Roleplaying game. If you are reading this, you likely already know of have heard that the West End Games version of Star Wars The Roleplaying Game is excellent (many people don't know this, but this is actually the basis for the newer Star Wars D20 RPG and Minis games, though many people think the original D6 version is even better). And this book is no exception (especially the 1996 version -- see below). This one book contains pretty much everything both the player and the GM need to play (though there are lots of great supplements -- including premade adventures -- you can use if you are interested and can find them). The book begins with a very nice "Player Section" that covers everything the player needs to know about creating and playing a character. The rest of the book is for the GM. For example, the "Gamemaster Section" covers all the basics that the GM needs to know run an adventure (including rules, combat and injuries, movement, space travel, the Force, etc.). There is also an "Adventure Section" (contains tons of ideas about designing adventures) and a "Universe Section" (provides tons of detail about GM characters, aliens/monsters, weapons/equipment/vehicles, droids, planets, etc). Finally, there are several appendices (with reference charts and character templates). In sum, if you are interested in giving this game a try, you can do so as both a player and a GM with this one book!

In addition to providing the above information about the book, I also wanted to make an important point of clarification re: the two different versions of the second edition of this book.

The first version of this book is simply subtitled "Second Edition" -- this one was released in 1992 (WEG40055 -- ISBN = 0-87431-181-0), and has a mostly blue cover with a picture of Darth Vader in a square on the front. This is still a fun book to read (and usually costs a lot less than the 1996 version). But, it DOES NOT contain the latest/final version of the rules. Further, thought the production quality is excellent, it is not quite as good as the 1996 version.

The second version is subtitled "Second Edition: Revised and Expanded" -- this one was released in 1996 (WEG40120 -- ISBN = 0-87431-268-X). It is also a hardcover, and has a picture of the Millennium Falcon racing through space while being fired upon by several TIE fighters. This book DOES contain the latest/final rules for this game. Further, the production quality is excellent, and it is printed in full color on high quality semi-gloss paper.

YOU DO NOT NEED BOTH VERSIONS OF THIS BOOK. If you just want to get a feel for the game and save a little money, buy the 1992 edition. In fact, if this is the case it may be worth buying the original first edition (which was released in 1987, and is also excellent and reasonably priced). However, if you want the latest/final version of the rules, than the 1996 edition is a must (it costs more, but I think it is worth it).

Reviewer's note: There are actually TWO different versions of the second edition of this book, and book sellers VERY OFTEN confuse the two and list them in the wrong place (so it is best to always ask beforehand to be safe). For this reason, I have included this review under both the 1992 and 1996 versions of this book (so please excuse me if you see it more than once). However, since I didn't know where most buyers would start, I figured it was best to provide this information under all relevant locations to be safe. That said:

This is the classic D6 version of the Star Wars Roleplaying game. If you are reading this, you likely already know of have heard that the West End Games version of Star Wars The Roleplaying Game is excellent (many people don't know this, but this is actually the basis for the newer Star Wars D20 RPG and Minis games, though many people think the original D6 version is even better). And this book is no exception (especially the 1996 version -- see below). This one book contains pretty much everything both the player and the GM need to play (though there are lots of great supplements -- including premade adventures -- you can use if you are interested and can find them). The book begins with a very nice "Player Section" that covers everything the player needs to know about creating and playing a character. The rest of the book is for the GM. For example, the "Gamemaster Section" covers all the basics that the GM needs to know run an adventure (including rules, combat and injuries, movement, space travel, the Force, etc.). There is also an "Adventure Section" (contains tons of ideas about designing adventures) and a "Universe Section" (provides tons of detail about GM characters, aliens/monsters, weapons/equipment/vehicles, droids, planets, etc). Finally, there are several appendices (with reference charts and character templates). In sum, if you are interested in giving this game a try, you can do so as both a player and a GM with this one book!

In addition to providing the above information about the book, I also wanted to make an important point of clarification re: the two different versions of the second edition of this book.

The first version of this book is simply subtitled "Second Edition" -- this one was released in 1992 (WEG40055 -- ISBN = 0-87431-181-0), and has a mostly blue cover with a picture of Darth Vader in a square on the front. This is still a fun book to read (and usually costs a lot less than the 1996 version). But, it DOES NOT contain the latest/final version of the rules. Further, thought the production quality is excellent, it is not quite as good as the 1996 version.

The second version is subtitled "Second Edition: Revised and Expanded" -- this one was released in 1996 (WEG40120 -- ISBN = 0-87431-268-X). It is also a hardcover, and has a picture of the Millennium Falcon racing through space while being fired upon by several TIE fighters. This book DOES contain the latest/final rules for this game. Further, the production quality is excellent, and it is printed in full color on high quality semi-gloss paper.

YOU DO NOT NEED BOTH VERSIONS OF THIS BOOK. If you just want to get a feel for the game and save a little money, buy the 1992 edition. In fact, if this is the case it may be worth buying the original first edition (which was released in 1987, and is also excellent and reasonably priced). However, if you want the latest/final version of the rules, than the 1996 edition is a must (it costs more, but I think it is worth it).

It's an older book, but was generally in good condition when it arrived. For as much as I enjoy the d20 system, I felt it was a little ill-adapted to the Star Wars universe by Wizards of the Coast. This however was a unique system with a classic Star Wars feel, untainted by the evils of the Prequel Trilogy. What you'll find in this book is a great deal of content helpful for players and gamemasters alike, and with a little creativity you could adapt it to an Old Republic setting (or a prequel setting if you really wanted to). Unique, solid, and overall very fun.

For such an older book, the condition was quite impressive. Nearly new. If it weren't for the small penciled in price on an interior page, and the slight crease on the exterior binding, you could believe it had never been openned. It was delivered on time as well. One of the best role playing systems I ever got to play around with. Nice to have a copy again for reference.

I used to own the original 1987 version of the Star Wars roleplaying game but lost it. I was looking to replace it and figured that I would buy the version of the game. Not a great decision, you figure that a 2nd edition would better en enhance the first version ? Not the case, you can tell from the book that instead of pictures, you get drawings, not always related to Star Wars. The rules have become more complicated and some of the character templates have be changed or even erased. If you wish for a space themed roleplaying game in a D6 system, this could certainly do, and there is still a big Star Wars flavor to it but it does not come close to the original 1987 version.

These rules are more complete than the West End SW 1st edition. They will satisfy gamers who just HAVE to have a rule for everything. These rules also include information about events beyond the original trilogy. By the time this book came out, the Timothy Zahn novels had been published, and Dark Horse was releasing the Dark Empire stories. If you want to role-play in the New Republic era, this one is handy.

Overall though, these rules are less elegant than the 1st edition. The people who created 1st ed REALLY understood Star Wars, and seemed to have a good grasp on how to make an RPG. The makers of 2nd ed seemed to understand what an RPG needed, but didn't quite GET the original SW trilogy.

This edition is fine, but the original is a timeless work of art.

West End Games has always had one of the simplest systems to jump in and play. The old Star Wars game is one of their best.

If you are a role playing fanatic, which I am and I know many people who are, then the Star Wars Role Playing Game is what you need, and this is the book to buy to get you started. Role Playing is full of action, drama, love, heartbreak, blaster bolts flying past your head, wookiees getting in your face, and bounty hunters hot on your trail. Do you want to fly across the galaxy in the Millenium Falcon? Do you need a little bit of coaching first? The this sourcebook is what you need. This book was masterfully done with easy to follow rules and regulations for a great time of game playing

This book is the second edition update of Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. The information is somewhat strewn about, but anything you need to know to play the game is in here. Not only is it an essential guide, but it is an excellent source of information.