Company: Wizards of the Coast
System: Dungeons and Dragons
Version: 4th Ed
Review: for beginner to average players

While still using a d20 system, the main rule set was completely revamped from all the previous versions.  Before, they would only polish up the math and create a new set of character rules for the newer editions.  This time they only took some base system ideas and reworked the mechanics entirely.

Overall, the system was simplified into more a MMO style ability set.  Which isn’t bad but it turned away a lot of core players.  The abilities of each class got either moved into class powers or simplified.  The powers include At Will, Encounter, Daily and Utility types.  The first three are just attack abilities that can be used once per their description while the last is out of combat or buff type abilities that help you in non-direct ways.

Spells have become powers, normal attacks have become At Will powers, advanced class features become powers.  Might as well add a cut out action bar and buttons while your at it.  It really pushes the game to the MMO play style.  It can but fun but I can go play a computer game just as much so.

Though with this, it still has the freedom of creativity and imagination.  I admit that they have created a system where even the most novice of players can step in to have fun.  While more experienced players can get a more relaxed game that is still enjoyable.

My group has given the analogy of ’3.5 is like Call of Duty 4 while 4th Edition is like Team Fortress 2.  Its not as challenging to play but anyone can step into it for the first time and still have fun’.

We haven’t gotten to play the system yet (waiting on one of the two current games to end so we can do that).  So here is a Part 1 review, I will try to follow up during or after our 4th ed game goes through.

Overall Rating (so far):
Character Creation – Easy, still enjoyable to create.
Combat – Looks decent from preview but we will see
Social – The game simplified skills so this might be an even less part of the game than before.  Or it might just give way to creativity in the social scenarios
Story – More open to fluff and story line but possibly not as epic of a game.