A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement In Alternate Dimensions

In Alternate Dimensions by Bruce R. Cordell is a role playing game supplement published by Monte Cook Games for use with Numenera and the Cypher System. This is part of the Numenera Glimmers series of small PDF-only supplements.

The supplement is available from DriveThruRPG as a 14-page PDF for $2.99 but was purchased at a greatly reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers.

The opening paragraphs explain that characters are likely to travel, deliberately or not, to an alternate plane of reality, where things are different. This supplement is intended to provide tools for helping in such a situation.

100 Transdimensional GM Intrusions states that there are resources providing GM intrusion, but Into the Outside allows such for travelling in alternate dimensions. These 100 intrusions are in d20 tables; Traversing Dimensions, Upon Arrival in a New Dimension, Using a Transdimensional Item, Combat with a Transdimensional Foe and Repercussions of Past Interdimensional Travel.

Using Insight to Help Players Understand Very Weird Alternate Dimensions explains how to use the game mechanic called Insight in such situations, with examples.

100 Options for Parallel Dimensions is a d100 table of Parallel Dimension Traits that can be used to add flavour to a dimension.

In Alternate Dimensions in Review

The PDF is well bookmarked with major and minor sections linked, and the tables are linked in a separate section as well. Navigation is decent given the length. The supplement follows a two column with sidebar or single column table with sidebar format, with the sidebar used to add references, although there are few in this supplement (and it looks like some may be missing). There are a number of, probably reused, colour images, mostly in the sidebars. Presentation is decent.

This isn’t a collection of game mechanics, instead being a number of tables intended to add interest and flavour to travelling in other dimensions, as well as some GM tips. For that, it does the job well, adding results that are specifically tailored for such. In Alternate Dimensions is a decent collection of fluff tables and it can be found by clicking here.