RPG Review - Star Wars Edge of the Empire: Lords of Nal Hutta

Published by Fantasy Flight Games

This is a sourcebook that fans of the Star Wars underworld, like myself, have been eagerly awaiting.

‘Escape the oppressive rule of the Empire and engage in devious schemes with the galaxy’s slimiest and most notorious gangsters: the Hutts!

No matter your vice – gambling, luxury, spice, beauty, or other – Whatever your pleasure, you can find it in abundance in Hutt Space, and you can find it in Lords of Nal Hutta, the Hutt Space sourcebook for the Star Wars®: Edge of the Empire™ Roleplaying Game. Smugglers, freelancers and mercenaries flock to the galaxy’s many Hutt-controlled hives of scum and villainy to fulfill their depraved desires or make a quick profit. Opportunity is abundant, but it comes at a perilously steep price. Anyone who flies Hutt Space lanes and hauls their questionable cargo must continuously ask themselves how far they’re willing to go in the name of cold, hard credits.

In its 144 pages, Lords of Nal Hutta offers Game Masters all the information they need to bring the most corrupt and lawless stretch of the galaxy to life. The book places everything you need to base a campaign in this infamous region at your fingertips, including information on over a dozen planets and their history, people and culture, points of interest and plot hooks, as well as local creatures and challenges.’

The danger and intrigue that the underworld presents is attractive, full of possibilities and a lot of fun for players such as myself. I’ve been gaming in the dark corners of the Star Wars galaxy for nearly thirty years so to have the chance to see how the Hutts, Nar Shadaa and the criminal heart of the universe operate.

It’s a big book, in at 144 pages and wondefully presented with that Fantasy Flight Games quality, something we’ve come to expect from their products. The artwork is gorgeous and that’s something that has been consistent throughout all of these books - the imagery really captures the feel of the era of the original trilogy, and it really helps to get into the mood, so to speak, when you’re setting up a game.

So what does Lords of Nal Hutta offer us? Plenty. You want to know about the history of the Hutts? You got it. You need info on Hutt space? Here you go. Want some new aliens, gear and ships to play with? Help yourself. Want some adventures to challenge your players? Knock yourself out.

Lords of Nal Hutta contains everything a GM needs to take their group on a wild ride through this dangerous, dark place. There are some new options to play new species; Ganks, Niktos, Sakiyans and you can even play a Hutt - yeah, you read that right. Can you picture a Hutt with a blaster slung across it’s great torso? I never could. Now I can’t imagine the Star Wars universe without it, and I’m literally begging one of my players to create a Hutt character - the roleplaying opportunity, chances for character intrigue and the sheer melodrama that a Hutt PC could bring to the table is screaming out for a campaign.

Along with the rest of the great material in this book - twelve planets to travel to and adventure on, for Vader’s sake! - I think my gaming group is going to get a hell of a lot of use out of this, and that makes the book worth every penny spent on it. A great product from the guys at Fantasy Flight Games, and an important addition to the Star Wars RPG product line.