The New Essential Guide to Droids: Review
As usually, the latest Sourcebook, 'The New Essential Guide to Droids' has been released in utmost silence. If it wasn't for author Dan Wallace's blog, many probably wouldn't know it had been released (no new announcement was made on SW.Com). It's a shame because the 'NEGTD' is one of the best (probably the best) in the series of the Essential Guides.
Made in the same style as 'Vehicles' and 'Weapons', the new guide to Droids has a beautiful lay-out. Every Droid in this book has an image (stylishly created by the computer), a small data chart and a technological chart. The Droids are devided into the five known degrees / classes of Droids. You also get a list of the most important Droid manufacturers and a short (this may have been longer) history on Droids.
A large majority of entries (+/- 85%) in the book are indeed essential. This has been different in past 'Essential Guides'. A large majority of entries hail directly from the movies and from spin-offs such as the Clone Wars Cartoons, Animated Droid Adventures and even Star Tours (yes!). The remaining entries are from 'inter movie' EU sources (Marvel comics, Clone Wars era, games). Only a few obligatory hocus-pocus entries from the post 'RotJ'-era are present.
Many Droids from the prequels (including 'RotS') have also found their way into this book. For fans who don't have the Fact Files, this book will have a lot of new information (the FF had the droids from 'TPM' and 'AotC'). The entries of the Droids are interesting and add information to the already existing background. If you turn the pages you'll notice that every entry is almost an invitation to read.
Positive: + Many entries are Droids from the movies !+ Adds new information to already established material !+ Spin-off entries: Droids, Clone Wars & Star Tours !+ A totally different book than the first 'Guide to Droids'+ Limited amount of entries from the post 'RotJ' era+ Some really obscure, but interesting entries (ex.: BRT Supercomputers)
Negative: - Some Droids from the movies are still missing. Most of them don't have much screentime, but it would have been nice to see a background for them (KPR Unit, 'Rolo' Droid, Mos Espa mining droids, M-HYD Binary Droid, giant MSE Droid, etc...) as well.- Why so many entries about Super Battle Droids?
The New Essential Guide to Droids is easily one of the best Essential Guides ever because it really is essential. If you already have the first volume, don't hesitate, this is something completely different. So if you're planning a vacation and need something to read, this is an excellent choice.
PS1: Don't expect to find rosters of Astromechs and Protocol Droids from the movies. This book is mostly about Series, not individuals.PS2: Don't search for Droid Vehicles such as the Tri-Fighter or the Persuader-Tank Droid. Some of them are found in the 'Vehicles' Guide.
Made in the same style as 'Vehicles' and 'Weapons', the new guide to Droids has a beautiful lay-out. Every Droid in this book has an image (stylishly created by the computer), a small data chart and a technological chart. The Droids are devided into the five known degrees / classes of Droids. You also get a list of the most important Droid manufacturers and a short (this may have been longer) history on Droids.
A large majority of entries (+/- 85%) in the book are indeed essential. This has been different in past 'Essential Guides'. A large majority of entries hail directly from the movies and from spin-offs such as the Clone Wars Cartoons, Animated Droid Adventures and even Star Tours (yes!). The remaining entries are from 'inter movie' EU sources (Marvel comics, Clone Wars era, games). Only a few obligatory hocus-pocus entries from the post 'RotJ'-era are present.
Many Droids from the prequels (including 'RotS') have also found their way into this book. For fans who don't have the Fact Files, this book will have a lot of new information (the FF had the droids from 'TPM' and 'AotC'). The entries of the Droids are interesting and add information to the already existing background. If you turn the pages you'll notice that every entry is almost an invitation to read.
Positive: + Many entries are Droids from the movies !+ Adds new information to already established material !+ Spin-off entries: Droids, Clone Wars & Star Tours !+ A totally different book than the first 'Guide to Droids'+ Limited amount of entries from the post 'RotJ' era+ Some really obscure, but interesting entries (ex.: BRT Supercomputers)
Negative: - Some Droids from the movies are still missing. Most of them don't have much screentime, but it would have been nice to see a background for them (KPR Unit, 'Rolo' Droid, Mos Espa mining droids, M-HYD Binary Droid, giant MSE Droid, etc...) as well.- Why so many entries about Super Battle Droids?
The New Essential Guide to Droids is easily one of the best Essential Guides ever because it really is essential. If you already have the first volume, don't hesitate, this is something completely different. So if you're planning a vacation and need something to read, this is an excellent choice.
PS1: Don't expect to find rosters of Astromechs and Protocol Droids from the movies. This book is mostly about Series, not individuals.PS2: Don't search for Droid Vehicles such as the Tri-Fighter or the Persuader-Tank Droid. Some of them are found in the 'Vehicles' Guide.
posted by Sompeetalay (Tim Veekhoven) | 5:35 AM
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