Customer Reviews

World of Darkness: Shadows of Mexico (World of Darkness)

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I never really looked at Mexico as this land of shadows and legends but once you start getting into Shadows of Mexico for the World of Darkness, you see that Mexico's history and legends are every bit as colorful, and even more cloaked in history than nations of the Middle East, the cradle of civilization. And give the writers of this wonderful hardcover supplement credit, the first chapter is a lush, fifty page plus overview of Mexico's diverse history, and its terrifying legends. As duly noted in the opening pages of chapter one's overview, Mexico's human history goes back more than 10,000 years, yet unlike Egypt or ancient Babylon, we know so little about the cavitations of the Olmecs and Toltecs who predate the Aztecs.

Besides Mexico's history, the opening chapter delves deeply into many other subjects such as it's often harsh lands, border towns, common myths, gangs and organized crime, the Policia, crime and the drug trade, ancient Mexican deities and monsters and all sorts of other weirdness. I found myself truly fascinated and incredibly impressed by the research that went into the opening chapter. This isn't mere fluff but rather meaty material you can sink your teeth into.

Chapter Two is the player's guide to Shadows of Mexico and deals with how players and player types fit into the Mexican milieu. All the standard types of characters in World of Darkness are covered including Werewolves, The Awakened, Mexican vampires, the new Prometheans, and more, making it a fit for any WOD setting. The vampire clans and types are as eclectic as I've seen in any RPG system from the savage Gangrel to the tyrannical Ventrue. There's a wide array of dark and vampiric powers that are detailed that are as terrifying and as colorful as their names, such as The Scream of the Dying Sun, and Harbinger of Fear.

Chapter Three is mainly for the Storyteller and details the lands of Mexico that range from jungles to deserts and everything in between. Throughout the book, and not just in the Storytelling chapter, there are various sample adventures hooks and sample settings provided to help get the gaming session going. Again, as with the preceding chapter, the lushness of the material is amazing. Players can go from ancient Mayan ruins to stiflingly oppressive modern Mexico City.

The final chapter highlights some of the very unique characters and powers operating in Mexico. One of the most interesting I found was the Dead Desperado, a being that is not the typical undead, but whose origins are shrouded in mystery. He, or it, lives,,,um, or un-lives, for nothing but revenge, no matter whose revenge it is.

Shadows of Mexico completely took me by surprise. I had expected little from this supplement as it seemed to be so minor in scope but I was proven very wrong. This book is richly detailed and will provide players and Storytellers plenty of great game experience.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

For the ST and players who want to set or base a chronicle in Mexico, this book provides a good overview of Mexico as it concerns the World of Darkness and telling horror stories. Where UK is centered on Werewolves, Mexico has a strong focus on Vampires for its setting.

This book is well worth it if you're looking for a setting book.