This is the first time that I write a review of HPLHS product and I must admit, I do so because for the first time I am genuinely disappointed (I was a bit disappointed before, but more on that later).
I was hesitant to preorder this. I knew that the model is very much not a product for me. I would never use such a prop in my CoC games. I don’t want to turn them into DnD where everyone thinks only about where they are on the map. I figured it is a “tax” on getting a nice scenario with realistic props (more on that later). It made the whole product overpriced, but I like what HPLHS provides. I am generally happy with the quality of the products and had a lot of fun showing them off to players and even not-gamer guests. I am particularly fond of the Tsatthoggua medallion, which is such a nice thing, I sometimes just pick it up to enjoy it in my hands. I liked the Tupilaq and the photo used in Call of Cthulhu audio drama so much, that I found a way to incorporated them and the medallion into Trail of Tsatthoggua.
Imagine then my disappointment when once again I was faced with props that are designed with limited reusability. Why are the telegrams closed? Why not give use opened ones and a set of postage stamps so that we can use them as we see fit. I would probably never seal it and just keep the stamps as souvenirs, but the point is that I would have a choice. Aren’t RPGs about choice? Now, going back to my earlier disappointment, the Spark Devil and the book. Why was it sealed? Why is it made unusable by the GM without damaging it? There are even spare stickers in the box, soyou knew it was not a good idea, but did it anyway. Why not give us one more spare sticker that is not applied instead? I would be able to know what is in the book ahead of time instead of asking the players to give it back to me after they open it, so that I may actually be on the same page with them. On the other hand, you stopped cutting newspapers. This is the one point where I would appreciate having things done by you in advance, because I am afraid I damage it during cutting. I bought a spare Classic Props newspaper just in case and then ended up not cutting the original, just folding it as appropriate. And while we’re at it – what was it with the Wallet having all this stuff to write on, when I have the worst handwriting. Was it make the props ugly? And also, pick a side - do you want to for the GM to finalize their props (cutting, writing) or not (sealing stuff)?
Now, to my last gripe. The pre-order bonus. I wish you said in advance what it was. Then I wouldn’t preorder. It is so out of touch with the rest of the props. It is like having Roger Rabbit as one of the Investigators in an otherwise gritty 1920s scenario. I am not saying one cannot make a CoC scenario with Roger Rabbit - I did play a Moomins CoC scenario once and it was genuinely creepy and in the spirit of CoC. It just has a place and time and the place of this bonus prop is in a different, more primitive set of props than the one provided.
I will most likely continue to buy HPLHS products, because I like most of them, but, after great Masks (if I recall correctly, one prop there was also unnecessarily sealed) and Classic props set, the scenarios so far have been more of a miss than hit.
Overall, I wish this set were available without the model, the closed telegrams and the bonus prop for a cheaper price. As is, I feel like I bought a bunch of stuff that is unusable or usable only once in mint condition in order to be able to make us of the rest of the product.
