Torment Tides of Numenera The Explorer

This is a beautiful book. There are lots of great things in here. It does what it sets out to do: describe the world that one experiences during the Torment: Tides of Numenera game. Lots of odd locales to explore and even stranger folk to meet. If you liked the game, or you're interested in learning more about the setting, you can't go wrong.

Ring Side Report- RPG Review of Torment: Tides of Numenera-The Explorer’s GuideOriginally posted at [...], a new idea everyday!Product- Torment: Tides of Numenera-The Explorer’s GuideSystem-NumeneraProducer-Monte Cook GamesPrice- $40.00 here https://www.amazon.com/Torment-Tides-Numenera-Explorer/dp/193997951X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473811918&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Torment%3A+Tides+of+Numenera+-+The+Explorer%27s+GuideTL; DR-What I want in a video game tie in book. 97%Basics- Are you excited about Torment, the computer game? Do you want to run your Torment Numenera tabletop game? Torment:Tides of Numenera-The Explorer’s Guide would best be described as the “companion” book based on the video game for the Numenera tabletop RPG. It’s DEFINITELY NOT a strategy guide, but it does have new mechanics and world building so you can play the compute game at your table.Mechanics or Crunch-This might be the weakest part of the book, but that's like finding a single spelling error in a classic book. What’s here is good. It’s new, it’s fun, and it’s well done. There are the expected things to help build out the blanking blank who blanks as well as cyphers and artifacts, but there is also a whole new social interaction system built on how the characters act. It’s a small thing as it doesn’t need to be added, but it’s something GMs can make as big or as small as they like. My one complaint is there isn’t more blanking blank who blanks options. It’s minor though. The system doesn’t need a book of feats as much as it needs flavor. 4.5/5Theme or Fluff-There might be more in this book about one small section of the world than there was in the core book. I am absolutely serious. I love the depth put in this book. The small piece of the world that the game covers get’s a massive world building. Here is the rub-as a GM for the game, you will have all the information you need. As a players, there might be almost too much as it could spoil the game or even the video game. That...is the proper amount of information for me to run an RPG. I kickstarted the video game, but my wife and I are more excited to get this to the table with our Cypher group. 5/5Execution-Cypher system has the best use of space of any RPG i’ve read. You describe a fearsome adversary in the text, and the stats are less than a tweet in a sidebar. Describe the use of a little used rule in the text, and a sidebar lists where the rule is in the core book. MORE COMPANIES NEED TO DO THIS! As for the layout, its great. Few pages have too much text, but there is enough art, either hand drawn or game images, to balance out the reading. I loved reading this book. 5/5Summary- I was asked to review this book, but give the direct warning that “this is not a strategy guide.” that is absolutely true, but what this book is amazing. It’s full of crunch, fluff, and is well made. I get new mechanics to play in a new part of the world. I love everything about this book. My one problem is I want more. If there were a bit more character options, I’d be in heaven. If you’re getting the video game, if you love the cypher system, or if you just want a well done splat book for Numenera, don’t pass this up. 97%

Good book both for developing the videogame setting. I haven't used it in in a tabletop game yet.