Still undecided about whether to get HackMaster Basic or not? Here's some reviews to help you make up your mind- Troll and Flame: HackMaster Basic - Quick Review

　　Is this the most happy and glorious future of RPGs? I would not be sad if so.

　　The Moldy Vale: Hackmaster Basic: A Review

　　When I was done, I was left with an ill-equipped, ill-prepared, kinda low in some ability scores, slow as hell, damage dealing, axe and hammer wielding, doomed to death dwarven fighter known as Bain Goblincrusher. And you know, I like it like that, because when I succeed, it will be way more awesome then with a character "destined" to succeed.

　　Mark Damon Hughes: RPG: Review: HackMaster Basic

　　Despite some flaws, I like the actual game. A quick solo test showed me that while combat isn't fast, it should be over in 15-30 minutes once you're past the "how do I attack?" stage. Skills are so much simpler, I wish the entire game was built around them, but it works. Magic doesn't suck.

　　Rpg.net: review #1 of HackMaster Basic

　　I actually like some of the elements in HackMaster Basic, like the Count Up initiative system, but it seems to have even less options than older editions of AD&D or the HackMaster 4th Edition. Given that it's supposed to be basic, and also given that “simulation value,” I don't think I wasted my money, yet I don't think I'd actually play this game.

　　Rpg.net: review #2 of HackMaster Basic

　　HackMaster Basic has deservingly become the roleplaying game of Conan or Cudgel, of Elric or Fafhrd. Here we have an old school adventuring game that is detail oriented, yet plays clean and quick, with simple, intuitive and clever game mechanics.

　　Mediocre Tales - I like HackMaster Basic

　　In the end, if you own an older edition of D&D already and are completely happy with it, you might want to let this one pass. On the other hand, if your older edition has lost its spark and the current retro-clones are just a little too close to their grandparents to excite you, then HackMaster Basic might be exactly what you are looking for.

　　Nuketown - Initial Thoughts about HackMaster Basic

　　In many ways HackMaster Basic is the anti-4E. D&D 4E is about maintaining a near-perfect balance between the classes, strict adherence to rolls, and maintaining it all through an exceptions-based rules engine. HackMaster is about randomness tempered by mechanics. You may go in with a particular character concept in mind, but you could walk away with something very different. This randomness, this unplanned evolution of the character, is very different from what we see in 4E. It's more in keeping with the old "let the dice fall where they may" mentality of early RPGs, and I found it to be refreshingly different (yet very familiar).

　　Confessions of Not a Grognard Review

　　I do think that Hackmaster Basic is an excellent looking game based on a read through and no practical experience with it. It garners 4 out of 5 stars from my questionable perspective, loosing points only because it's not really basic at all and the amount of fiddelyness is too much for my taste.

　　This entry was posted on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Games, HackMaster. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. I say Grab it, I did and I haven’t regreted it yet.It’s only $19.95 and sofar I’m really enjoying it.

　　A a ruleset I like it more than the original HackMaster books (I have most of the original line). I love the tone and writing style of the originals mind you, but ther rules for me at least hadn’t broken “Free” enough of original AD&D.

　　So far Hackmaster Basic is evolved enough from the original Hackmaster rules that I’m very happy with the changes. Sure I haven’t played it yet but I like what I’m reading.

　　My only complaint sofar is their is not enough “Fraim” artwork in it. His art to me = Hackmaster.

　　P.S. thanks for your great lil site. I’ve been visiting it anonamously since you released your Savage Worlds Medival Armor n Weapons doc.

　　~ Chris a.k.a. Gwarh I’m with you. Fraim art is HM and I’d like to see more of it in the Advanced books. Thanks for the comments about the site.

　　I have done my reading on websites and I am overjoyed to find a system that is cumulative and not exactly table/lv based. I like the inivation of each game mechanic. I will love this edition, I hate the cookie cutter game designs, I also hate calculating video game mechanics for everything(arbitrary) I like choice, and I think this will be my favorite engine, its more like a game. Also I contacted Kenzer Co. and they said advanced Hackmaster will be the same mechanics as basic and basic will still be good to have. Hack on!!!!!!!!!