Basic Roleplaying: Universal Game Engine - Hardcover

BRP definitely my favourite rpg mechanic and has been for decades. The new edition is much easier to navigate and less cramped than the original. To address other reviewers' criticism of paper, font-size etc., although everyone is entitled to their own opinion, working for over 30 years in print production, I think the negative views on the production of the hardcover edition are a bit unfair. The type size is absolutely fine and I have no trouble reading it, even with my tired old eyes and varifocal specs. The paper quality is absolutely fine. Yes, it's not glossy paper but the matt paper I find easier to read as it doesn't reflect light. It's also more tactile and actually easier to thumb-flick than thinner, glossy paper. The print quality of the artwork is also fine. No idea why someone was saying it's "DrivethruRPG" quality. There's no pixelation, the resolution is good and the colour quality absolutely fine. If you want the hardback, don't be put off by those reviews, it's well worth the money. I'm glad I upgraded from the PDF with the voucher. As for the content, it's BRP, so it's just the best, most logical RPG system, as far as I'm concerned.

I really don´t understand why! Why did you make the book so cheap in feeling, paper thickness, hard to read due to the size of the letters, drivethrurpg quality with the pictures, and poor quality in general and not the standard quality of Cthulhu or Runequest books, it´s really beyond me. I´m really disappointed. Guess I have to wait another 20 years for a generic BRP book. In the mean-time I have to use Dragonbane (Drakar och Demoner) which is an offspring of the good old Runequest.

I bought it a few months back as I was looking for a universal system to run one-shots in different settings for my friends — and oh boy that was a good decision. My players and I are having a blast playing together. Some of them have played some RPGs in the past while others haven't but regardless of their experience with RPGs they all love it. System is really simple for the players and with the GM prepared they don't have to read anything about the rules to start playing. The illustrations are lovely and the book contains so much content. I didn't have problems with the font size. I found a few silly errors in the text, but it wasn't anything that made me not understand the rules that were being described. Overall I highly recommend it — I'm really happy that I bought it.

This product was rushed and includes way too many errors. A year later and fans over at BRP Central are still spotting mistakes in the PDF updates.

I have the big gold book softback and hardback so when I noticed this new version I was chuffed. Unfortunately I am a little disappointed, the font is extremely small making reading the book a total chore. Wish I had not bothered.

As a typographer and printer with over 20 years industry experience this review focuses mainly on the production and legibility of the book. Basic Roleplaying is hardbound and printed on quality uncoated paper. The text and images are sharp and clear to read. The book has head and tail bands as well marker ribbons and nice quality end papers. The layout of information is orderly with ample line and word spacing. Addressing the size and choice of font we need to remember that the previous edition wasn't called ‘The Big Yellow Book’ for nothing. This book contains ‘A Lot’ of information. Everything you could possibly need to run a game of any genre. This really is the only book you will ever need to run a role playing game. The choice of font is easy to read and while somewhat smaller than other reference books it is most definitely legible and easy to read (8/11pt). Increasing the font size would have pushed this book well beyond the already hefty 260 page count and the resulting production costs would be passed on to the consumer. Reducing the line or word spacing would decrease legibility. In balance a well designed book and definitely well worth the price tag.

I've never owned the basic roleplay gold book but I've been playing Runequest since the 80s. Someone has put a lot of hard work into this and it shows. They've kept the basic system but tuned it up perfect. They've even improved the combat system over the latest version of Runequest, lots of tactical options, grapple/ martial arts and using dex ranks instead of strike ranks, a subtle but important difference. The quality of the pages/book is beautiful, the paper feels like a thicker grade and the finish is beautiful. The text is a little small though. The best part: you can use any of the runequest books or cthulhu in support. The red book of magic is completely compatible. They just need the goods to keep coming in support of the game. Companion 1 for example: sorcery, psionics, the superhero companion and so forth. If you love the runequest system but want to game outside of Glorantha then get this.

The Basic Roleplaying system is my favorite rpg system due to its ease of use and modularity. I can craft the rules anyway I want to fit whatever genre I’m trying to emulate. This book is great with a lot of rules cleared up and streamlined. With this new book alongside my classic BRP gold book I’ve got thousands of options.

If you are comfortable playing Call of Cthulhu or Runequest, you got the system down, and love the easy to understand percentile dice mechanics, why not play EVERYTHING with that same system? This book has it all. You can build a system that suits better your style of play, your own homebrewn setting (or any existing one for any game) or both. You can leave it as simple as you want or add as many rules you want, it's that modular. BRP Universal Game Engine does what it promises, and also is fun to read, it's got plenty of ideas that can spark your creativity. I love the mix and match kind of modular rules. You can use what you think that can work better in your games or leave behind what you think doesn't.