by MrMT
It is super wonky, and not particularly compelling as a system, and does favour card counters... but it does work, for the most part, as long as you don't take it too seriously. It feels very ameritrashy, so for those who enjoy that, it,does the job fine.Personally, I would have preferred the game to use dice (more intuitive, and easier to understand... Perhaps a battlelore system) or gone for the dune/game of thrones/Kemet approach in which people have a limited deck of 'battle cards' in their hand to choose from... I feel those combat systems are far more engaging, and are solidly familiar by now.
This system is serviceable, but you will note that no other games have copied it. Wonder why?
As for the lol diplomacy comment, that system does feel a little disappointing, given how much fun it is thematically to win over other races to your cause. Feels like something a hero could have been more actively engaged in, rather than going for a long shot with fate cards.
I personally feel this game is ripe for improvement through modding. The components and elements of it all are top notch. Theme is great, the general atmosphere is great, the idea of heroes and armies fighting alongside but on slightly different levels is great, magic items, jobs, missions, tactics - all great. Just that the glue that puts it all together is clunky. I also miss politics. Somewhere in here lurks the doam game to end all doam games. Rw gives it a compelling shot, and has so many elements to love, but somehow doesn't hit it out the park in the way you feel it has potential to do.