I was looking for a Steampunk companion (like the Savage Fantasy or Sci-Fi Companion) and when I read about automatons, steam powered machines and airships in the teaser text, I thought this would be a good start. Don't get me wrong - it is, espacially the very detailed historical background information with the alternative timeline, the very lovely created lore for each faction and the examples of typical Steampunk gear were able to give me first impressions for this setting. But when it comes down to the simple amount of weaponry, transportations, automatons or genre-related gear, I hoped for more. It felt a little bit restricted to a specific kind of Steampunk, what I was not looking for.

What I liked about this book:

• Very detailed background information to the American continent and the Victorian Age
• lovely created factions with enough background information
• good approaches for Steampunk-related Professions/ Edges/ Skills (I especially liked Edges Trees!!)

What I didn't like:

• far too little equipment/ machinery/ automatons to chose from
• no rules and tables for creating your own stuff
• no bestiary

I would have liked a bigger variety of preview pages (especially tables and rules and not only plain text), so that I would not have needed to buy this book hoping it contains the material I needed.

Although this is advertised as an adventure, it's really more like a mini-setting. There's an overview of the history and geography of the region, a recap on recent events, and a breakdown of the various political factions (secret societies), as well as a handful of new abilities (one power, one Edge, and two Hindrances). There are also six archetypes (each offered as two versions: "standard" and "horrid secret").

The setting itself is a bit like a blend of French Revolution, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Brotherhood of the Wolf, set in an alternate history with heavy gothic overtones and vampire aristocrats. The adventure part is split into three acts, each of which spans two pages, and I'm pleased to see it makes extensive use of Savage Worlds mechanics like Chases and Dramatic Tasks.

Overall this is a very cool product that offers us a taste of great things to come.

I've always liked steampunk RPGs, but was always uneasy about the racism and imperialism inherrent in the Victorian Era setting. Steamscapes has done a fantastic job in both North America and the other supplement focused on Asia to address that and make the world more accessable to a varieity of people. If you like in-depth alternate history and steampunk, you'll love this game.

I have been for sometime looking for a steampunk Reconstruction era game that would infuse every aspect of the actual history of the American Civil War and also act as a perfect canvas for game play in the Wild Wild West. This game is EXACTLY that. If you want the Cowboys-Indians, post civil war, America industrial revolution feel I highly suggest you get this game. While many of the notable people from American history are present there are some missing, but this is due to the fact that instead of wars and fighting a great deal of the history is more bent on compromise and cooperation. I also bought this product based on the fact that the game mechanics are the Savage World system. It is easy to use and understand for both new and veteran RPG players. Thank you Mr Simon and everyone at Four-in-Hand Games, I hope you continue the Steamscapes universe and expand upon your brilliantly written product. I hope that Europe is next!