Title: Kindred of the East Publisher: White Wolf Game Studio
Released a part of the Year of the Lotus series, Kindred of the east was perhaps one of the most anticipated books of the year. Kindred of the East is a source book for the vampires in Asia. It works as a stand alone game, as well as a supplement for either Vampire, Changeling Mage, Wraith or Werewolf. The Kwei-Jin (as they are called) have a unique history and curse upon them, one that is completely unrelated to that of the Cainites. The Kwei-Jin are reborn much the Risen are. With a Karmic purpose, they right the wrong that caused their soul to return by following a Dharma, a philosophy similar to the Sabbat's Paths of Enlightenment. The Kwei-Jin do not gain sustinance from blood, but from Chi, the life force contained in all things. The differences are too numerous to recount further, but it is definatly worth looking at.
I found that Kindred of the East was an experience to read. With both an alien culture and religious system to adapt to, reading Kindred required an understanding of these things. The disciplines are completely different from the western Kindred, with an emphisis on the balance of Chi rather than supernatural powers. There are also clans to speak of. Instead, a Dharma is followed, and the Kwei-Jin create packs, known as a Wu, to keep company. All in all, I find this an excellent source book, and suggest it to those of you who still haven't bought it. (Note: I found that the statistics on the character sheet, including Attribute and Abilities, have dots that go up to six. This is probably a mis-print, so if your players try to convince you that having a Brawl of six OK because the dots are there, don't let them. Of course, if this isn't a misprint, please Email me.)
Title: Resident Evil 2
Publisher: Capcom
All right horror fans, time to break out the nachos. If you want a nail biting, late-night-jumping-out- of-your-skin, horror A la "Night of the living dead" esque, horror EXTRAVAGANZA, here is your game. Resident Evil, the immenselly popular game for Playstation, is back and the Zombies have brought friends. Instead of creeping through a huge mansion in the middle of nowhere, this episode takes place in the infamous (and badly named) Raccoon City. The virus which plagued the mansion is now loose in the city, turning the inhabitants into mindless zombies. Play as either Leon Kennedy, a rookie cop on his first day, or as Claire Redfield, Chris' younger sister. It is up to these two thwart the evil Umbrella pharmacutical company over two action packed disks. Horror RPG'n at it's best. MMMM MMMM zombie good!
Resident Evil 2 is a huge leap forward from one of the best games ever made. The graphicshave improved, as well as the storyline and movement. Everything that you loved in the frist game is revamped and better than ever. The puzzles are still as complex, but for veteren Resident palyers, they shouldn't be a problem. A few of things that I liked about RE2 was the use of rendered cut-scenes. The intro was enough to drool over. As well, there are new weapon options this time around. If you find special parts for your gun, you can change it into an automatic, or turn your magnum into a shotgun in the palm of your hand. New weapons like the crossbow and the Mac 10 add a new flavour to the game. Also, heavier weapons like the Mac 10 and flamethrower need two slots in the inventory, and use percentages to keep track of ammo. The horrible voice acting is here too, adding to the B-movie atmosphere. The newest concept however, was the ability to play a different version of the story once you've finished the game. this allows up to four different variants on the story. If you're a playstation owner and are not thinking about buying this game, give yourself a swift boot to the head and go do it. You'll thank me later.
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