Optimus Design Systems
$24.95/240 pgs

I don't know about you, but I have been 4 waiting for a new post-holocaust RPG for years. I've always been a fan of the world-in-ruins, scrounging-for-ammo-and-gas genre. What's not to like about tough guys with mohawks and sawed-off scatterguns, rusted-out nitrous-boosted cars, improvised weapons, and irradiated wastelands?

It was probably Gamma World that first hooked me, to these many years ago. Gamma World was in fact the first RPG I ever played, and I suppose it's GWs fault that today I find myself working for AEG instead of holding a respectable job.

Well, today I can finally retire my beaten up COPY of the 2nd Edidon Gamma World rules to the Old Games Home. Blood Dawn is here, and it was worth the wait.

The setup is of course familiar. Mounting political tensions eventually result in a nuclear exchange taking place in 2042. In a flash of light, a lot of new parking lots are created. The nuclear winter kicks in shortly thereafter. Society crumbles, and by the time of the game's setting, 68 years after the war, things look like a Mad Max movie.

Except, of course, that Max never had to deal with mutants, the 4th New York Provincial Militia, or witches. Yep, that's right - there's magic in Blood Dawn too. There are covens of witches, healers, and cybernetically-enhanced human wizards, not to mention the magic-like powers possessed by some mutants. It's an interesting take on the classic post-holocaust genre, and I like how they did it.

Blood Dawn is built around the d20, uses eight stats, has point-based character creation, and uses skills instead of classes. There are 14 character archetypes given to get you started, but they're just the beginning. The game's mechanics are a lot like Battlelords of the 23rd Century. Like B23C, there are a ton of spells, long equipment lists, deadly weapons, and techno-toys to tantalize players with. The ODS touch is apparent, and welcome.

I only wish they had included more information on what happened to the rest of the world; only America is dealt with in this first book. If they crank out material like they did for B23C, though, we'll get all the supplements we could ever want.

Blood Dawn doesn't break any new ground, but it is a very skillful renovation of a genre that in my opinion, has been left alone for too long: I'm glad to see it back.