Rating: [ 6.98 / 10.00 ]
Game Info
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![]() | Game Summary | [ Edit Main Info ] |
Few games inspire such passion and divisiveness among their fans -- and detractors -- as Mage has. This game of "reality on the brink" has wandered all over the map in its ten plus years, from far out mysticism to dirty life on the streets.
It's always been about mages, though, those people who can change the world through their force of will alone. The Council of Nine Mystic Traditions, a loose coalition of nine organizations of differing philosophies and magical practices, stand for personal freedom -- sometimes regardless of cost -- and responsibility. In opposition is the shadowy Technocratic Union, a seemingly monolithic conspiracy which seeks to protect humanity from the unseen dangers of the universe at large, typically through ignorance and control. Other factions, the Nephandi and the Marauders, who personify the depths humanity can sink to and the abdication of responsibility, also have their part to play in the struggle as each side strives to win over and guide -- or rule -- the unknowing masses of the world.
It's always been about mages, though, those people who can change the world through their force of will alone. The Council of Nine Mystic Traditions, a loose coalition of nine organizations of differing philosophies and magical practices, stand for personal freedom -- sometimes regardless of cost -- and responsibility. In opposition is the shadowy Technocratic Union, a seemingly monolithic conspiracy which seeks to protect humanity from the unseen dangers of the universe at large, typically through ignorance and control. Other factions, the Nephandi and the Marauders, who personify the depths humanity can sink to and the abdication of responsibility, also have their part to play in the struggle as each side strives to win over and guide -- or rule -- the unknowing masses of the world.
Notes on Editions
There are 4 editions of Mage: The Ascension. Click on an individual title, below, for more information on that edition.Game Editions | [ Add Edition ] |
Game Contents | [ Add Existing Content | Add New Content ] |
Related Articles |
| Article | Type | Issue |
| Rules Q&A | White Wolf #39 | |
| Information: Preview | White Wolf Inphobia #57 |
Selected RPGnet Reviews | [ See 14 Reviews | See 4 Magazine Reviews | Link Reviews ] |
| Rating | User | Summary |
| 4 + 5 | Nightchilde | Mage: The Ascension Revised. No summary available for this older review. [ Read Review ] |
| 5 + 3 | Sam Lindsay-Levine | Mage: The Ascension. No summary available for this older review. [ Read Review ] |
Selected User Comments | [ See 72 Ratings | See 23 Comments | Add Rating ] |
| Rating | User | Comments |
| 6 / 10 | Mozart | Mechanically superior to earlier editions but the heavy-handed application of the metaplot, coupled with a significant change in core themes often and understandably turns away fans of earlier editions. Also suffers from the ommission of information on key adversaries and setting information which was included in earlier editions, thereby encouraging players to buy further suppliments. |
| 7 / 10 | Esarel | This game was a lot of fun. The magic mechanics were IMO well handled, but did require a group that was willing to play along. The writing had some flaws. It was not always clear when reading the book what your character actually knew and did not about the setting. Also the book did not truly stand alone as a game IMO. You needed either a previous edition or more books to run this game, and to use a few of the powers available to players (mostly spirit). |
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