Rifts World Book 14: New West

Rifts World Books #14

by Kevin Siembieda, John Zeleznik (Illustrator), Wayne Breaux (Illustrator)

At last, the Western Wilderness (a no man's zone forbidden to citizens of the CS) is outlined and explored. 17 new O.C.C.s, including the Cowboy, Gunslinger, Psi-Slinger, CyberSlinger, Bounty Hunter, and Justice Ranger. 9 R.C.C.s and 25 monsters of the New West. The history of Wilk's Inc. and a new array of weapons. Bandito Arms, the western arm of the Black Market. New body armor, robot vehicles and weapons. Techno-Wizard magic that turns ordinary gunpowder weapons into mega-damage weapons. Techno-Wizard weapons and devices. Cloud magic and the Golden Ones. Colorado Baronies and other notable places. "The Law" or what passes for it. Notable bandits, outlaws, D-bees & heroes. Overview of the New West, maps & world information. Written by Kevin Siembieda & Chris Kornmann.

Genres: Role Playing Games, Gaming, Games, Science Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

About the author

Kevin Siembieda (born April 2, 1956) is an American artist, writer, designer, and publisher of role-playing games, as well as being the founder and president of Palladium Books.

Palladium Books, founded in southeast Michigan, claims to be the first to implement a role-playing system intended to work for all genres and to introduce the perfect-bound trade paperback format to the RPG industry.

Some of the role-playing games Siembieda helped produce include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness (1985), Robotech RPG (1986), After The Bomb (1986), and Rifts (1990).

Siembieda is also an artist, best known for occasionally illustrating Palladium Books' products. In 1978, he started the now-defunct Megaton Publications in Detroit, publishing a digest style title called A+ Plus and several other titles. He also contributed art and cartography to several early Judges Guild products (for both their Traveller and Dungeons & Dragons lines).

Reviews

[Salvatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the detail that Palladium uses when putting together their various world books, sourcebooks, etc. However, I have to say that the most annoying thing about World Book 14: New West is the lack of understanding Geography. After reading through the section on the 1st Apocalyptic Cavalry (and having lived in Wyoming for over 30 years) I noted several issues.
#1 Jackson, Wyoming is not in "eastern Wyoming" it is in Western Wyoming.
#2 Sidney Nebraska is not "on the border of Nebraska and Iowa," it is in fact in Western Nebraska 60 miles from the Wyoming border.
#3 "Norfolk, South Dakota" doesn't exist, in fact it is a small town in Northeastern Nebraska, 60 miles due south of Yankton, South Dakota.
As I mentioned I have always loved the details in the Palladium Rifts books, but I also know that there have been a lot, and I mean a lot, of inconsistencies over the years, from the early books in the 1980s, to the resurgence in the 1990s, to the rewrites and revisions of the 2000s.
While these issues are minor, I believe that Palladium and Kevin Siembieda should take greater care with editing, proofreading, and double checking "known" pre-rifts/real-world facts and geography. Especially seeing as Palladium and Rifts are becoming even more popular and available today via the PDF books available on Palladiums authorized PDF outlet DriveThruRPG.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the Palladium role-playing system is not the one I use in my games the source books are fantastic. Tons of great ideas and characters are scattered throughout the books. Very recommended for any gamer.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rifts version of the Wild West is fun. Gunslingers are fun, but my bartender Bob is one of my more memorable characters out of this tome. =)