The more I read and re-read this, the more I like it. As a long time fan of Warhammer 1st ed, the tone of this release is perfect, but what keeps drawing me in is the systems. Much as I loved WH, and the depth of its world and professions, as well as its continual levelling (as opposed to the old AD&D approach of no character development for ages, and then a dump of stat boosts) many of its core systems such as skill tests, were overly simple. Several other RPGs were stronger in this area, such as Shadowrun and the World of Darkness, but Zweihander has improved on all my old favourites at every turn. Critical success and fail systems that scale with skill, really nice opposed skill tests, assisted skill tests. I am also loving the traits and perilous stunts, which remind me of some video game RPGs (or even Talisman) in terms of their immediacy - the build of your character really makes a difference now within a group, giving each player the opportunity to create their own heroic moments. I could go on listing the positives, but the short review is, this is one very impressive and clearly thought out RPG system. Nothing left sitting idle or resting on established convention, every aspect considered and refined. One of the best I've ever read, no exaggeration.

This is a really great imagining of a favorite RPG. The mechanics are concise and well-explained, with good variance/ depth in the right spots and elegant simplicity where necessary. The book is well-laid out, and strongly reminds me of WFRP v1. They even nailed the mood and look of the art style. Great illustrations, by the way... as well executed as the book production and system design. Can't wait to give it a solid play!

Fantastic job, can't wait to see more from you.

The book is an outstanding example of dedication and passion. I prise the author for it.

Reading trough it, though, I've found the overall system to be a bit weak and undecided on what it want to be: new wave or old style. It claims to be an update of the old WFRP, yet I've found lots of added systems and mechanics that should incentivate the roleplaying (like burning reputation for favours). These are cool, but a bit too simplified and underdeveloped.

Rules like madness are there, but lack the flavour and didn't catch my immagination. The character profiles are not as immidiate as it seems at first glance.

I found combat really under-developed, and quite a step back from WFRP 1st/2nd. Injuries in threshold is quite simplified. No more hit locations and by-the-piece armours. Weapons seems a bit missing something. The infamous critical tables mainly trainslate in three tables (divided by weapon type) describing gory details of when a foe is slain. The actual critical tables are much less flavourful and not divided by weapon type. The addition of "Perilous stuns": why should a disarm fall in such a thing? Seems a pure gamist choice, and brake the flow of something gritty and realistic. Again, I see a bit of contraddiction on what the system wants to be.

Book organization is a bit confusing First chapters are so full of text and "narrative" that it seemed to me to have read a long time before reaching interesting stuff. Other examples are Critical tables are on the GM chapter, not combat.

The games seems that wants to be a bit of everything but, personally, I think fall a bit short: is not a new wave RPG nor an actual WFRP facelift. I think is more than a decent game but, if I have to regard it as a WFRP spiritual successer, I'm not convinced.

An excellent game. It takes the best of many systems, and reshape with it the gritty world, keeping the felling of living in a condemned world. Definitely an improvement over similar titles (discontinued now after the horrible 3rd edition). If you like Warhammer, this game its a must have.

Interesting update on the WF2E Ruleset, includes many favourite house rules and has very interesting setting information, I look forward to the full illustrated release!