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Legend of the Five Rings RPG 1st Edition
Legend of the Five Rings RPG
The Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game is a role-playing game originally written by John Wick and published by Alderac Entertainment Group, under license from Five Rings Publishing Group, in 1997. The game uses the Legend of the Five Rings setting, and primarily the nation of Rokugan which is based on feudal Japan with influences from other East Asian cultures.
Like most role-playing games, Legend of the Five Rings is played by one or more players and a game master, who controls the events that happen during the game as well as thenon-player characters (also called "NPCs"). An aspect that sets Legend of the Five Rings apart from other games is the inclusion of courtiers and other non-combatant character types as valid player character types. Most role-playing games focus heavily on combat and non-combatants are generally only given as non-player characters, whereas in Legend of the Five Rings it is possible (although unlikely) to play an entire game with no scenes of combat at all.
In 1998, Legend of the Five Rings won the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Game of 1997.
Like most role-playing games, Legend of the Five Rings is played by one or more players and a game master, who controls the events that happen during the game as well as thenon-player characters (also called "NPCs"). An aspect that sets Legend of the Five Rings apart from other games is the inclusion of courtiers and other non-combatant character types as valid player character types. Most role-playing games focus heavily on combat and non-combatants are generally only given as non-player characters, whereas in Legend of the Five Rings it is possible (although unlikely) to play an entire game with no scenes of combat at all.
In 1998, Legend of the Five Rings won the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Game of 1997.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
John Wick
157 books48 followersJohn Wick is an award-winning role-playing game designer best known for his creative contributions to the games Legend of the Five Rings and 7th Sea. He self-published smaller games through his the Wicked Dead Brewing Company, and later created the John Wick Presents gaming company.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 2, 2013
I actually have the 4th Edition, but this will do. I don't generally play "Samurai" story lines, but if I did, this would be a terrific world to dive into. It's a fantasy setting, so don't expect straight-up correlations between the Samurai of Japan. All the same, it has a very nice flavor, and the creators did an amazing job of tying every aspect of the game together. Really quite impressed. Also, it's written for someone other than high-school students (or younger), which I found refreshing. No offence to the kids in school ... but I'm not one, and I like an older game these days.
On top of that, I find the Roll and Keep mechanics pretty compelling, which is why I picked the book up in the first place. Very glad I did.
On top of that, I find the Roll and Keep mechanics pretty compelling, which is why I picked the book up in the first place. Very glad I did.
February 26, 2011
This is the first edition and introduction to a fantasy roleplaying world based on feudal Japan and its samurai/bushido culture. As a roleplaying game, the system mechanics and emphasis on social strategy and roleplaying made it a breakthrough for its time. The book's illustrations and internal stories are excellent for creating an atmosphere that draws its readers in.
Although not for people who do not play roleplaying games, if someone has never played one before but likes action movies, stories, social interaction, mystery and political intrigue, this would be (in my opinion)the game system to start with.
The game is in its fourth incarnation by the time of this review.
Although not for people who do not play roleplaying games, if someone has never played one before but likes action movies, stories, social interaction, mystery and political intrigue, this would be (in my opinion)the game system to start with.
The game is in its fourth incarnation by the time of this review.
July 5, 2012
The setting for this game is feudal era Japan. While the combat rules are simple (and deadly), it's the social aspect of this game that sets it apart from all others, and when run by the right story-teller, truly embodies what I've come to think of as a "Wick game". If you love the kind of system that can kill your character over a poorly written poem, steeped in a rich and complex lore based in a story of love, war, and betrayal, you will love this game. Even if you can't find a group to play it with, the rich and complex tapestry of the story alone makes it a worthwhile addition to your library.
May 11, 2021
One of best RPG games of 2000's, one of few with mechanics fully delivering and supporting the game premise.
February 18, 2020
Basic Premise: Roleplaying in a Medieval-Asia-esque land called Rokugan (1st edition).
This is a fantastic RPG system. The world is richly developed (based on a TCG of the same name) with lots of interesting groups of people, rich culture, and really nasty monsters. There's political intrigue and deadly combat. Honor and dishonor play distinct roles in the system. You don't have to know anything about medieval China or Japan to play the game, but there are definitely elements of the game based on knowledge of those places, so it might be a good excuse to watch some historical Kung-Fu movies.
The combination of all of the elements of honor (an actual game mechanic), magic, and combat make for a really unique game play system. It's super simple (character sheets are a single page) to pick up, and runs smoothly in the moment. Combat is not a necessary part of the game, but it is both fun and very deadly when it happens. When entering combat I was always ready to recite my death haiku, but managed to never actually need it somehow.
Overall, I highly recommend this game, especially if you're looking for something different from the typical medieval-European fare.
This is a fantastic RPG system. The world is richly developed (based on a TCG of the same name) with lots of interesting groups of people, rich culture, and really nasty monsters. There's political intrigue and deadly combat. Honor and dishonor play distinct roles in the system. You don't have to know anything about medieval China or Japan to play the game, but there are definitely elements of the game based on knowledge of those places, so it might be a good excuse to watch some historical Kung-Fu movies.
The combination of all of the elements of honor (an actual game mechanic), magic, and combat make for a really unique game play system. It's super simple (character sheets are a single page) to pick up, and runs smoothly in the moment. Combat is not a necessary part of the game, but it is both fun and very deadly when it happens. When entering combat I was always ready to recite my death haiku, but managed to never actually need it somehow.
Overall, I highly recommend this game, especially if you're looking for something different from the typical medieval-European fare.
October 23, 2020
This first edition is quite a fun ride. A RPG that spends most of its time transporting players by not just setting but distinct social dynamics. Having etiquette serve a major function along with a heavy emphasis on spirituality leads to quite a different impulse on how to play this game.
Beyond that the combat is devilishly interesting allowing social players to thrive just as equally as someone built for actual combat. That and adding in factors for large scale combat makes this one of interesting first edition i have read and nearly as cool as Go Rin No Sho
Beyond that the combat is devilishly interesting allowing social players to thrive just as equally as someone built for actual combat. That and adding in factors for large scale combat makes this one of interesting first edition i have read and nearly as cool as Go Rin No Sho
July 9, 2008
Well done roll and keep RPG. Binding is pretty frail. Great background and feel to this game. Probably my third favorite all time RPG
April 4, 2012
The first edition did so much right. A little on the simple side compared with newer editions, but it had all the flavor needed to create the best RPG experience I have ever had.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews