Here's my hilarious video-review of Cha'alt!
So, there's Normal Fantasy, Gonzo Fantasy, and then there's Stupid Gonzo Fantasy.
Guess which of these genres Venger Satanis is master of?
[video=youtube_share;2J8PhoJP1Uw]https://youtu.be/2J8PhoJP1Uw[/youtube]
RPGpundit
Greetings!
*Laughing* That was an awesome review of Cha'alt, Pundit! You definitely delivered the laughs. I enjoyed your review very much. I agree, the art work and production values of the book appear to be outstanding. I am glad to see Venger Satanis growing in his skills as a writer and game developer. That is clear to see. While you have a consistent history of chiding Venger harshly, your critiques have strong merit. Personally, I am a fan of historical fiction and traditional OSR milieus, as opposed to Gonzo, Science-Fiction based campaigns. Having said that, looking at the book, and listening to your review, it seems clear to me that there is a lot of crazy, fun things in the book, and your humorous commentary made me laugh a lot along with you. Your review makes me certainly want to purchase Cha'alt, and I look forward to getting a copy of Venger's new campaign book. I think that from your review, even if a person is not a fan of "Stupid Gonzo Fantasy"--the Cha'alt book would be great fun for laughs and for inspiration. In addition, for someone like me, if I ever do embrace a "Stupid Gonzo Fantasy" campaign, or desire to sprinkle some elements into a more traditional campaign, Cha'alt would be an excellent resource to have on hand. For people that love such "Stupid Gonzo Fantasy", this book is definitely a fun, essential and inspiring book!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I backed Cha'alt on Kickstarter and I'm happy with the purchase.
For the most part, the "pop culture parody bits" are pretty easy to gloss over, or make a big focus, totally up to you. The Black Pyramid is an interesting mega-dungeon based on how the rooms interact and open, plus the mystery of the Pyramid's fluorescent goo. I need to finish reading it cover to cover and then I'll post a review. My first impression is Good, but Venger's Purple Islands setting remains my favorite of his works.
Quote from: Spinachcat;1117607I backed Cha'alt on Kickstarter and I'm happy with the purchase.
For the most part, the "pop culture parody bits" are pretty easy to gloss over, or make a big focus, totally up to you. The Black Pyramid is an interesting mega-dungeon based on how the rooms interact and open, plus the mystery of the Pyramid's fluorescent goo. I need to finish reading it cover to cover and then I'll post a review. My first impression is Good, but Venger's Purple Islands setting remains my favorite of his works.
I'd dare to say that this is the first product of his that competes with The Islands of Purple-Haunted Putrescence in terms of how good it is.
Thanks for the review and commentary, folks. After reading/watching a few other reviews, I'm left wondering if Cha'alt (The Black Pyramid, specifically) is the very first all-caps GONZO / fun-house megadungeon...?
VS
"Gonzo fun-house megadungeon" does encapsulate Cha'alt quite nicely.
Quote from: VengerSatanis;1117796Thanks for the review and commentary, folks. After reading/watching a few other reviews, I'm left wondering if Cha'alt (The Black Pyramid, specifically) is the very first all-caps GONZO / fun-house megadungeon...?
VS
Not quite the first. There's other products on similar veins. The goofy-version of Castle Greyhawk and a few other old D&D adventures, for one. Paranoia, and some of the most gonzo Gamma World stuff for another.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1118053Not quite the first. There's other products on similar veins. The goofy-version of Castle Greyhawk and a few other old D&D adventures, for one. Paranoia, and some of the most gonzo Gamma World stuff for another.
I've heard the goofy-version of Castle Greyhawk is just stupid, rather than stupid gonzo. But I assume it's megadungeon sized.
Also, are there megadungeons for Paranoia and/or Gamma World? If so, I'd be interested in acquiring them. Details!
My review will pop in a week or so, but, I think Venger missed an opportunity here.
If this were a hexcrawl, with the hexes rearranged a bit and the entries tweaked, then that would tone down the funhouse element a lot. Together, that would make this one of the best, if not the best, Rifts and/or Gamma World adventures ever. And also make it relevant for any post-apoc or Spaceman RPG ever written.
Commercial success, for Venger. Who woulda thunk it?
Quote from: bryce0lynch;1122679My review will pop in a week or so, but, I think Venger missed an opportunity here.
If this were a hexcrawl, with the hexes rearranged a bit and the entries tweaked, then that would tone down the funhouse element a lot. Together, that would make this one of the best, if not the best, Rifts and/or Gamma World adventures ever. And also make it relevant for any post-apoc or Spaceman RPG ever written.
Commercial success, for Venger. Who woulda thunk it?
I brace myself with readiness, hoss! I assume the impact will be memorable. As
Cha'alt has nearly sold out (finally) even a review from the legendary Bryce Lynch can't dampen my spirits. :)
[Venger singin' in the rain]
VS
I'm sold on this book. Is there any place to get the hardcover anymore?
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1124811I'm sold on this book. Is there any place to get the hardcover anymore?
Yes, details here... (tomorrow may be the last time I get to the post office for a couple weeks):
QuoteFYI, I've got less than 250 hardcover books in stock. They're going fast! These signed, limited edition, luxurious books are going for $60 (USA shipping included) or $85 outside the USA. I take paypal. My email address is: Venger.Satanis@yahoo.com
VS
Do I just paypal directly? With address info?
Either way, very good review by Pundit.
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1124851Do I just paypal directly? With address info?
Either way, very good review by Pundit.
Yep, just paypal directly. You can include mailing address with the paypal form, or send me the info directly in a separate email. I'll also need to send you the PDF to your DriveThruRPG email account. Or, if you already have the
Cha'alt PDF, then choose something else I can send.
Thanks,
VS
Sent!
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1124884Sent!
Received! Thanks, hoss. I also sent you an email regarding the PDF.