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Post by FrostHawk on Apr 2, 2008 14:22:29 GMT -5
Hi! I'd like to have your opinion so far with the new Mongoose edition. What did you like and what you dislike. What could have been done better, what does really excites you, what are you waiting for the next books. This kind of things. ;D Thanks in advance.
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Post by Agrarvyn on Apr 2, 2008 17:13:30 GMT -5
The hardbacks are nice and the fresh book smell from a Lone Wolf book no less was amazing. Their delayed printing, however justified and easily sympathised with, is really frustrating though!
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Post by Izziel Darkblade on Sept 26, 2008 6:58:13 GMT -5
Great thread, Frosthawk ;D I'd really like to hear more of people's thoughts on this, too. I, like others here (i'm looking at you Simey;)), have been put off due to the errors i hear about (i'm kinda waiting that these are all ironed up), so i haven't purchased any of the new books yet. Now, what i really want to know is: are these editions an improvement (at all) of the old books? Is the extra stuff really good? Are the new illustrations better (i really love some of the new covers, but others feel... so-so)? I know that there' specific threads for each new release, but i'd also like to know your opinions on these editions "as a whole", so far. Thanks in advance And sorry for my confused English- it's a bit rusty.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Sept 26, 2008 10:56:31 GMT -5
Great thread, Frosthawk ;D I'd really like to hear more of people's thoughts on this, too. I, like others here (i'm looking at you Simey;)), have been put off due to the errors i hear about (i'm kinda waiting that these are all ironed up), so i haven't purchased any of the new books yet. Now, what i really want to know is: are these editions an improvement (at all) of the old books? Is the extra stuff really good? Are the new illustrations better (i really love some of the new covers, but others feel... so-so)? I know that there' specific threads for each new release, but i'd also like to know your opinions on these editions "as a whole", so far. Thanks in advance And sorry for my confused English- it's a bit rusty. If you want the Collector's Edition, I do not think you will have a choice. You more or less have to buy them while they are fresh or be willing to accept that you get holes in your collection. This is because they are limited edition and with no reprints. The time for no more reprints for CEd are coming fairly soon for the first five books. If you want to wait for the Paperbacks which will have most of the bugs corrected, then this is a non-issue. When it comes to covers: IMO I believe they are overall better, but you can compare the releases ones yourself on the Mongoose site. (I assume that they update to the real cover once the book gets up, pre-release it is merely a mock-up cover.) In-game illustration: IMO they are overall not as good. It is mixed though. Some of the new illustrations are very good, some are so-so. This is mostly a question of style. The new illustrations do have a consistent style just as Gary Chalk's did, and if you like that style then you will believe they are better.
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Post by Izziel Darkblade on Sept 26, 2008 14:21:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback AS Hmmm... so are the current CEd printings free of errors? I already checked the new covers at Mongoose, but was wondering if the inside illustrations were by the same artist: I don't remember looking at one, and if i did, they didn't stuck in my mind, which is not a good thing, i guess And I do love Gary Chalk's work, btw
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Post by Aguila Saber on Sept 26, 2008 14:28:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback AS Hmmm... so are the current CEd printings free of errors? I already checked the new covers at Mongoose, but was wondering if the inside illustrations were by the same artist: I don't remember looking at one, and if i did, they didn't stuck in my mind, which is not a good thing, i guess And I do love Gary Chalk's work, btw There are unfortunately some errors in each of the books. Lone Wolf #1 and #2 and #6 are probably those which are of best quality. Lone Wold #3 should be fine as well as long as you get one with section #192. There is a stickied errata thread on the Mongoose forums which you can look at. People tend to value different types of faults very differently. No, the inside illustrations are not by the same artist. Wish they were. Covers are by Alberto Dal Lago Illustrations are by Rich Longmore.
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Post by FrostHawk on Sept 26, 2008 15:00:58 GMT -5
I got quite pissed because I wanted a continuity in the collection, but the books 4 and 5 that I received were bigger than the other 3 and with a different binding. Moreover, there's a change of logo (without a reason imho), and book 29's cover isn't from Alberto Dal Lago who will draw every other cover until book 28 (and this is very lame) As I said, this reprint is very likely the opportunity of a lifetime to have a cohesive collection, but Mongoose is srewing it up. Book 29 cover is drawn by another artist because Mongoose wanted to be quick (Alberto Dal Lago words, not mine). Well, after 10 YEARS, I think we could have waited 2 more months and have a coherent cover art.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Sept 26, 2008 16:07:08 GMT -5
I agree with FrostHawk on the cover issue.
I made a little topic on the Mongoose forums asking them to reconsider their choice.
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Post by Simey on Sept 26, 2008 16:25:48 GMT -5
I, like others here (i'm looking at you Simey;)), have been put off due to the errors i hear about *sigh*Yeah, that is kind of where I am. Though I'm also sort of weighing up my want for new versions, even if they're faultless. If they were new, better-edited versions of the Legends then I'd probably be saying, 'Who gives a monkey's about little errors - gimme the shiny new books!!!!'However, the gamebooks peaked - only in my personal opinion, mind - with Book 5, and whilst the Magnakai books are mostly very good, I've never been terribly gripped by the GM series. I don't know anything about the NO books, but I'm not hugely interested in the idea of another Kai Lord series of adventures. So I'm kind of on the one hand very much wanting to get the first few, but I know that if I do, I'll want to get the whole lot, but that's a lot of money for a series of books, a good number of which I'm not so excited about. So I dunno.... But all that does make me also very interested in knowing various people's opinions about the releases so far.
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Post by Black Cat on Sept 27, 2008 11:33:51 GMT -5
Right, let's talk about the errors we got so far:
-Books falling apart (1-2): this has been corrected with the new printers
-Missing section (192 in book 3): this has been corrected with the 4th print of the book -Missing equipment section (4-5): don't know if it has been corrected -Missing Bow as an option for the Weaponmastery discipline (6-7): It's important. It gives you +3 on the RNT when using a bow. -Equipment section of book 7: Some items are missing from the list if we compare it to the original edition. These missing items can be used in the book but there's nowhere else where you can obtain them. -Missing list of improved disciplines (book 7)
These two errors have been corrected. That leaves us with only four real omissions.
Now, let's check the typos and bad links between sections: -Book 1: One bad link -Book 2: Main adventure: nothing; Mini-adventure: one bad link -Book 3: Main adventure: nothing; Mini-adventure: one bad link -Book 4: Main adventure: two bad links, one missing option for one section; Mini-adventure: one bad link, and one question regarding the gameplay -Book 5: Main adventure: Nothing; Mini-adventure: two bad links -Book 6: Main adventure: One typo on the backcover; Mini-adventure: Nothing -Book 7: Main adventure: Nothing; Mini-adventure: two bad links, one typo on the Action Chart, another one on the backcover.
So, here's the total: -Book 1 is perfect -Books 2 and 3 have only a bad link in their respective mini-adventure -Book 4: three bad links, missing equipment section, one missing option, one question unanswered regarding the gameplay of the mini-adventure -Book 5: Missing equipment section, two bad links in the mini-adventure -Book 6: One typo on the backcover, missing option for the Weaponmastery -Book 7: One typo on the backcover, another one in the mini-adventure Action Chart, two bad links in the mini-adventure, missing equipment for the main adventure, missing list of improved disciplines, missing option for the Weaponmastery
All in all, this is not bad, IMO. Only books 4 and 7 seem to have more errors than the others, but the typos should not make you stop reading them. So far, I'm pretty pleased with the books.
Now, if you are to order all the books now, they will be of the same size, will have the same spine and the same logo on the front. That's because they have changed the printers along the way. So if you are looking for uniformity in your collection, you should be fine.
Now, I love the covers and inside illustrations so far (except maybe cover of book 6 and the title masking the face of the Dakomyd). Richard Longmore gives a different point of view to the inside illustrations we were used to, and it's fine with me. However, I still have difficulty to like the illustrations of the mini-adventures by Nathan Furman. Don't like his style.
About the mini-adventures, apart from the one in book 2, they are pretty good and original. I loved especially the one in book 4 (still need to read the ones in the Magnakai series).
And now, regarding the fact that they have changed the artist for book 29 to 32... I'm very disapointed by the reaction of some of you, and I'm sure that Alberto Dal Lago is too. He especially mentionned on the Italian forums of Librogame's Land to NOT start complaining since he accepts the situation even if it is tough on him. He doesn't want Mongoose to have a beef against him regarding the fact that he started complaining in public about the treatment he got from them (well, he didn't complained, he just explained the situation when asked why it wasn't him who got to draw the cover of book 29), and the fact of posting on the Mongoose forum asking them to change their decision because "Alberto is mad and Joe backs him up" was a really bad move that could harm Alberto's relations with them. The fact that Matt immediatly locked AS thread regarding this matter and his laconic answer ("You have not heard correctly, and I do not believe a public discussion of this would be helpful.") is to the point. I would not be surprised if Alberto gets replace for the future covers now since the link of confidence between him and Mongoose has been hit hard by your actions. Plus, as Alberto said, the poor guy that has been selected to draw the covers of books 29 to 32 doesn't deserve to be crucified by the fans and be replaced.
Quite honestly, I love the cover of book 29 and I don't feel the styles between the two artists is that different.
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Post by Beowuuf on Sept 27, 2008 11:44:16 GMT -5
That is unfortunate that the positions were reported to us quite so strongly Indeed, especially in professional circles, it is guaranteed that what you hear in the media or internet is not the whole story (for better or worse) and that nothing good can come of interferring or making your mind up on that limited information. If you don't have persona first hand information, it is usually better to stay out of it. And usually, if you have person first hand information, then you are usually forced to stay out of it by your knowledge. I don't think AS's post was confrontational, and so I hope that any reaction to it privately will be mitigated by that. I guess a 'leave well enough alone' policy would be best to continue, rather than someone e-mailing Matt and explaining the reasons for the post in the first place.
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koreth
Full Member
The Cener Druids Rule All. Accept It.
Posts: 172
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Post by koreth on Sept 27, 2008 13:05:37 GMT -5
I am very thankful that Mongoose has chosen to republish the Lone Wolf series. Although there are issues here and there, overall I am pleased with what they are putting out.
Yes, the accuracy in editing/corrections of mistakes from the original manuscripts would be nice. Yes, the interior illustrations are not always to my liking, and yes, the constantly late deliveries drive me nuts...
...but these are trivial compared to if it were not being published at all.
I do like some of the new illustrations because some of them do a great job presenting a different point of view, the cover art is excellent in almost all cases, and the things we complain about are largely because we are the most devoted and caring Lone Wolf fans out there. We expect perfection and sometimes more, and we have every right to ask for that..
And Mongoose has every right to make business decisions within the scope of their contract with Joe Dever.
I have absolutely no regrets that I got into the Mega deal. I support Lone Wolf, Joe Dever, and Mongoose.
And it's great to be a kid again, always checking the mailbox to see if the next release is out...
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Post by Aguila Saber on Sept 27, 2008 15:20:54 GMT -5
-Missing Bow in equipment section (6-7): Maybe that is what JD wanted after all? He wanted us to work to find it? Is it really an error?The Bow is not missing in the equipment section, it is in fact listed there. The Bow is missing from the list of choices for Weaponmastery in the discipline section (No picture and no word). But it is correctly listed as a choice for Weaponmastery in the Action chart section. He especially mentionned on the Italian forums of Librogame's Land to NOT start complaining since he accepts the situation even if it is tough on him. I do not speak Italian and therefore I do not visit Italian forums. It would have been helpful to have had this information posted here on TotS. I don't recall seeing this before you just mentioned it in the above post. If I had I would not have started the topic about the covers. "Alberto is mad and Joe backs him up" If you quote someone, please use their wording. My wording was: "less than happy". Plus, as Alberto said, the poor guy that has been selected to draw the covers of books 29 to 32 doesn't deserve to be crucified by the fans and be replaced. There was nothing at all about crucifiction or about complaining on the quality of the new cover in my post. I pointed out that it was another artist and therefore breaks continuity. Why do you mention crucifiction together with your other criticism of me? * grumbles * I aplogize in advance for any hard words TotS members may get from me during the next days, but after reading the above I'm feeling ill.
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Post by wildhorse on Sept 27, 2008 22:31:11 GMT -5
I guess somehow people's words get quoted out of context along the way. I am 100% sure that none of us is against the new artist or Mongoose, or anyone for that matter.
Words get misrepresented.
Although Beowuuf mentioned a "let well along" response, which might help to ease the tension, I also believe tt might be better to have transparency on this issue, so as to clear the air on this matter.
Anyway, the bottomline is with a new artist or not..."I am still going to get that Lone Wolf book".
Enjoy the books...and chill out...
My two cents' worth...
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Post by Black Cat on Sept 27, 2008 22:43:08 GMT -5
-Missing Bow in equipment section (6-7): Maybe that is what JD wanted after all? He wanted us to work to find it? Is it really an error?The Bow is not missing in the equipment section, it is in fact listed there. The Bow is missing from the list of choices for Weaponmastery in the discipline section (No picture and no word). But it is correctly listed as a choice for Weaponmastery in the Action chart section. True, I got mixed with the equipment section somehow. My error. Post edited. He especially mentionned on the Italian forums of Librogame's Land to NOT start complaining since he accepts the situation even if it is tough on him. I do not speak Italian and therefore I do not visit Italian forums. It would have been helpful to have had this information posted here on TotS. I don't recall seeing this before you just mentioned it in the above post. If I had I would not have started the topic about the covers. I have only joined last week (after I saw that the new cover for book 29 was on their website) and I'm using an online translating program to understand what is written. In the thread regarding that cover, Daelthasaar (aka FrostHawk here) made a comment about complaining to Mongoose regarding the change of artist for books 29 to 32. Here is the exact quote from Alberto (in Italian) regarding this: Riuppo la discussione per dire che sto cercando di fomentare una rivolta presso ToTS in modo che venga cancellata questa cover e che Alberto sia incaricato di eseguire il lavoro. Ehm...state scherzando, nevvero?.... Non vorrei che la cosa degenerasse!! Anche perchè sarebbe inutile farla pagare a chi non c'entra: a monte di quella cover c'è stata sicuramente una profusione di energie, passione e professionalità! Non mi sembra giusto privare l'artista dei risultati del suo sforzo lavorativo... Ma suvvia, lo so che stavate scherzando....! In English, this gives us this in the translating program: Riuppo the argument in order to say that I am trying to foment a revolt near ToTS so that it comes cancelled this cover and that Alberto is person in charge to execute the job. Ehm… been joking, nevvero? …. I would not want that the thing degenerated! Also because it would be useless to make to pay it who not c' it enters: to mount of that cover c' it has been sure a profusione of energies, passion and professionality! Me it does not seem just to deprive l' artist of the result of its working effort… But suvvia I know, it that you were joking…. Of course, some words have a strongest meaning in English (like the word "revolt"), but the main content of the message is the same. You didn't know about this post, most of the people here didn't know about it. So don't blame yourself on that, or don't try to find someone to blame. That's nobody's fault. Or maybe it is, so blame me for not posting this when I first saw FH's post about complaining to Mongoose on TotS (I won't blame FH for this either. He has the right to ask and to say what he wants regarding the covers) "Alberto is mad and Joe backs him up" If you quote someone, please use their wording. My wording was: "less than happy". Right. It's not the exact same quote. But what does "less than happy" means? Sadness? Indifference? Feeling bad? What feeling is lower than happiness? That is how I understood your comment. If it wasn't this, I'm sorry then. Plus, as Alberto said, the poor guy that has been selected to draw the covers of books 29 to 32 doesn't deserve to be crucified by the fans and be replaced. There was nothing at all about crucifiction or about complaining on the quality of the new cover in my post. I pointed out that it was another artist and therefore breaks continuity. Why do you mention crucifiction together with your other criticism of me? It's a comment made before someone actually does it. It is not directed at you. It is to prevent that the whole discussion regarding the new artist takes a bad turn. Don't take it personaly. More from Alberto concerning the new artist: So he read methos' interview with JD!
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