Land of the Rising Sun (role-playing game)
Land of the Rising Sun is a fantasy role-playing game, designed by Lee Gold and published by Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) in 1980 that is set in feudal Japan.
Description[edit]
In Land of the Rising Sun, players take on the roles of samurai warriors.[1] The game, derived in large part from FGU's previously published fantasy role-playing game Chivalry & Sorcery, is a class-and-level system with rules covering honor, martial arts, aerial and water combat, the astral plane, spirits, demons, and ninjas.[1][2]: 74
Publication history[edit]
In 1977, FGU published the complex fantasy role-playing game Chivalry & Sorcery, noted for both its realism and unwieldy rules. (Game critic Eric Goldberg bemoaned the complexity, saying, "The worst problem arises when the game is actually played — it can move as awkwardly as an octopus on dry land.")[3]
Three years later, FGU set out to create much the same game, but set in feudal Japan. Land of the Rising Sun was released as a boxed set with cover art by Ken Pick,[4] and included a 152-page book and five cardstock reference sheets.[1]
Reception[edit]
Forrest Johnson reviewed Land of the Rising Sun in The Space Gamer No. 36.[5] Johnson commented that "LOTRS is a beautiful treasure in an unopenable package. Recommended to zealots, and as a source-book to D&D."[5]
Eric Goldberg reviewed Land of the Rising Sun in Ares Magazine #7 and commented that "Land of the Rising Sun is an estimable addition to a FRP aficionado's library. Aside from being well-explained, it is necessary for those who want to fully understand C&S. The care with which Japanese myth has been reproduced is simply amazing."[6]
Wes Ives reviewed Land of the Rising Sun for Different Worlds magazine and stated that "In summary, I strongly recommend Land of the Rising Sun to the role-players in the readership. It is a complete, entertaining game."[7]
In his 1990 book The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games, game critic Rick Swan called this game "a thoughtful treatment of medieval Japan, skillfully interweaving imaginative fantasy elements with a scholar's understanding of history." However, Swan found "the background material is much better than the turgid game mechanics it supports ... The character creation system is time-consuming and difficult ... combat encounters seem to drag on forever." Swan concluded by giving the game a rating of 2.5 out of 4 and recommending the game as a sourcebook for other fantasy role-playing games, saying "Land of the Rising Sun demands so much from the players that it's more work than fun. However, as a source of ideas, Land of the Rising Sun is worth investigating by any referee interested in an authentic eastern setting."[8]
In his 1991 book Heroic Worlds, Lawrence Schick called the game "Difficult to play, but the sections describing the society, culture, and legendry of medieval Japan are quite detailed."[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
- ^ Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
- ^ Goldberg, Eric (September 1980). "Games". Ares Magazine (4). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 35–36.
- ^ "Land of the Rising Sun". Guide du Rôliste Galactique (in French). 2012-08-21. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ a b Johnson, Forrest (February 1981). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer (36). Steve Jackson Games: 23.
- ^ Goldberg, Eric (March 1981). "Games". Ares Magazine (7). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 36.
- ^ Ives, Wes (August 1981). "Reviews". Different Worlds (13): 36–38.
- ^ Swan, Rick (1990). The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 116–117.