If you're looking for a storytelling game with Apocalypse World-like rules that can be played without a singular GM, Ironsworn is the game for you.

In Ironsworn, not only do you get to create a highly customizable character (via Assets rather than a character class), the group gets to create their own version of the Ironlands by selecting choices amongst ten categories.

An Ironsworn's goals are what push the campaign forward and the results of the dice rolls (full success, partial success, or paying the price) and the interpretive power of the Oracle rules are what push the game forward. I've literally gotten multiple groups together, created the world and characters from scratch, and have ran multiple games with zero prep with great results. Even the session that ended in total disaster and gained no XP whatsoever was extremely fun.

I personally would love to buy a hardcover of this book. I've actually shelled out over $45 to print Preview 7 at Fed Ex just so that I can have a physical copy of the .pdf, and I would much rather that money go to Shawn Tomkin.

If there's any gripe that I have about the game, it's how Assets are meant to be distributed amongst the players. IIRC, each Asset can be taken by only one player in the group, and the Assets are most likely meant to be cut out and given to the individual player, since they pack in a lot of information (each Asset has three benefits, one that a character automatically gets upon acquisition and two more that must be purchased with XP). There are optional rules that replace Assets with either flat out buying stat increases or by implementing professions, but I prefer Assets as they provide the real mechanical individuality per character.

To conclude, this game takes the Apocalypse World rules mindset and propels it even further by a solid system for generating content on-the-fly, especially as more players in the group get involved in the process. Also, it's free, which is freaking awesome, but is a game I will gladly pay a print edition for.

edit from 8/12/18

It seems that my wish to have a hardcover of this book has been answered! About a week and a half ago, I discovered that this game was being released as both a softcover and a hardcover. I received a hardcover copy as of the date of this edit and I am very satisfied with it. It's a 6x9" book with a hardcover feel similar to the GURPS 4th Edition hardcovers. At about $28, this is a great deal. Finally, a great game to add to my collection that will last a long time and not be accidentally bent.

This review is based on a one-time readthrough which took about two hours. Also, I am very familiar with many of the previous BESM and Tri-Stat products, such as BESM 2nd Edition, BESM d20, and Tri-Stat, and let me tell you that BESM 3rd Edition is superior to all of them. At the core, it's the same BESM we all know and love, but it just includes everything from the previous editions and spin-offs and more. As for the differences: point costs and starting creation points have been expanded, making items is simplified and unified, damage is calculated differently, dice-rolling has changed from "roll under stat" to "roll 2d6 + stat", which is easier to remember and implement (none of that dX nonsense from Tri-Stat dX), and there's an official campaign setting called the Multiverse. For those of you who prefer simplicity to detail, there are several sections in the book where simplified ways of doing certain things are mentioned, such as not using skills or Variables (which are PMVs [completely optional] but given a different name) and whatnot. For those of you who prefer more detail, there are also treats for you, too, such as customizing attributes, expanded combat rules, and variable damage resolution (I especially like the ones that vary based on margin of success).

All in all, a very fine product indeed and I can't wait for my physical copy to arrive. Guardians of Order went out with a bang on this one.

I'm not too big on buying splat books, especially for supers games or games that I can apply as universal systems (whether or not that's their intention), but I'd have to make a HUGE exception with the Mastermind's Manual. There are options up the wazoo in this product to help you customize your Mutants & Masterminds game any way you see fit.

For example, there's the Energy Points option, which acts as a point pool, should you wish for powers to take up points (by default). This option is great for those of you who would like to emulate a game with "magic points" in a balanced manner.

This review cannot do this product justice. Just know that it is a fantastic deal, should you wish to take your Mutants & Masterminds game in different directions.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Everything.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Nothing.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>