Rating: [ 4.9 / 10.00 ]

Game Info

Title  MSL4: Stygian Knight
Author  Anthony Herring
Book Type  Adventure
Rank: [ 4714 / 5958 ]
Genre  Super Hero
Setting  Marvel Universe
Series 
Edition Info  TSR (1991)
Stock: 6904
ISBN: 1-56076-103-2
System  Marvel Super Heroes 2

Game Summary

Part three of the "Negative Zone Trilogy."

The players confront the true force behind the events detailed in the two previous adventures.

Stygian Knight contains a 32-page adventure book which details the player characters, the non-player characters, and the story itself. You should also have a cover which features various maps designed to help play run smoothly.

Game Editions

Game Editions

Edit Edition ]
# Title System Publisher Released Stock Status
1 MSL4: Stygian KnightMarvel Super Heroes 2TSR 1991 6904 ---

Comments & Reviews

Selected User Comments

See 1 Ratings | See 1 Comments | Link Reviews | Add Rating ]
Rating User Comments
4 / 10SleeperA very mediocre module.

The structure is solid, with clearly laid out scenes. There is a reasonable amount of flexibility if the players don't want to play the Fantastic Four, and if they don't bite the plot hooks. The traps designed specifically for each member of the group are interesting (except the Human Torch, who is just blasted with flame-retardant foam for the millionth time).

One of the best aspects of the MSH game is the way heroes are encouraged to showboat, go on dates, ride in parades, and so on instead of just getting into fights. And sure enough, the intro section has opportunities for heroes to acquire Karma by making a speech and giving kids a ride on skycycles, and there are (albeit limited) opportunities to engage with sympathetic allies later in the adventure.

The art is solid, as well. Jeff Butler's panels have the 1980s comic book feel, and the content largely fits the text (except Ramone is wearing basic pants and shirt, instead of a black jumper with pockets full of tools). Though the art is repeated as a strip/border along the bottom of every page, which feels like padding.

But the main villain is a third-rate knock-off of Annihilus with goofy goggles, who never gained any traction in the Marvel Universe. The map is hard to read, because the borders marking off the edges of the areas overwhelm the walls. And while the referee is supposed to fold the map over and show it to the players, the (supposedly secret) network of ventilation shafts is shown.

The plot is also weak and uninspired. It's basically a dungeon, except instead of exploring the PCs are shuttled through a very linear sequence of set-piece battles. The climax is also poor -- the villain's grand plan is completed, and he presses a button... and nothing happens? Combined with the repeated contortions that ensure nothing bad ever happens to the PCs, it feels like the heroes are guaranteed a win. And when they do win, everything reverts back to normal and everyone (even the PCs!) forgets what happened. A little dispiriting.

tldr; Well constructed, but boring.

Your Thoughts

Played On:  
You must login in order to record usage, rate, and comment on entries.

Main Series Listing

Overall Series Listing