[Cross-posted from another forum, in the hope that more info is better]
I fondly recall my D&D2e days. I had the Red Box, but it was the AD&D 2e PHB and DMG and Forgotten Realms Boxed set that really kicked my roleplaying into the stratosphere.

And yet...I've tried to go back. I just can't. Seriously. I want to play some AD&D 2e in the Northwest of Faerun, but...no. And that's on me. I've changed.

So, looking to alternatives to scratch my nostalgic itch I've run across Lamentations of the Flame Princess several times, most recently with the buzz surrounding Carcosa.

So, what I'd like to know is what separates LotFP from other OSR stuff? What makes LotFP a great game?

If you've looked at Swords and Wizardry, Labyrinth Lords, Basic Fantasy and they all make you go "meh", this one is in that ballpark mechanic-wise. There are slight alterations, like a crude thief ability system that doubles as a skill system for adventurer. Setting-wise, it's set a little later than medieval times, it's got grim and dark renaissance touches, it's humano-centric, it's less of an all-out fantasy and he provides no monsters.

I'd rather play Darker Dungeons if wanted to go for an OSR game.

Otherwise, try OSH. Sheds all the clunkiness of old school DnD yet nails the feel.

I think we need more hula dancers if we want to attract kiznit back here

Thanks CD. This exactly the type of opinion I was hoping to solicit.

Rules-wise you'll find yourself on familiar ground. LotfP uses B/X D&D as its engine; if you've owned a copy of Moldvay or Mentzer you'll know what to expect.

The devils's in the details, though, and some of them are very nice. First off is niche protection, something Lotfp rigidly enforces throughout. Fighters are the only class that improves their hit rolls, just as Specialists are the only ones to improve with skills. The game hinges on ironclad archetypal reinforcement, something I'm careful to explain to any new player.

Next there's combat. The system uses ascending ACs and limits itself to a very narrow range, 12-20, roughly. This has the double effect of letting fighters shine without penalising the other classes too heavily. There are a few simple manoeuvres, mainly of +2 AB / -4 AC sort, but by and large it's simple, elegant and fairly lethal in that low level D&D tradition.

Skills include only those author James Raggi deemed relevant to adventures, so no Craft X or Religion. Instead we get a list that includes Architecture (for ruins, underground settlements and such), Open Doors, Sneak Attack and Tinkering. Everyone starts with one point in each skill (roll equal or under on a d6 to succeed) but it's only the aforementioned Specialist who improves. Like I said, niche protection.

Magic, both divine and arcane, fairly drips with flavour. The spell lists weave traditional B/X magic into something altogether more sinister. Flashy artillery effects like fireball and lightning bolt disappear in favour of dark summonings and weird auguries. A good deal of familiar stuff is retained but in many cases is transformed by subtle twists. One of my favourites is Invisibility, which causes the light of the world to fear you for a time.

Which brings me to tone. Lotfp eschews the usual medieval/S&S hotchpotch in favour of an implied early modern setting rife with intrigue and supernatural horror. From art to equipment lists to the sample adventure everything is geared towards distinct tonalities that depart, and are often discordant with, mainstream D&D. In some instances this has led to buyer dissatisfaction; I've read complaints regarding the lack of beastiary - instead we're given a monster building guide because the game posits a world where every creature is scary and unique.

Add an excellent section on GMs advice, a decent pair of introductory adventures (one being a solo numbered paragraph affair) and you have a very solid product. I've GM'ed a number of session using these rules ( RAW and otherwise) and they've served me very well.

One caveat. The only thing I can imagine turning someone completely away from Lotfp is the art, some of which is horrifically graphic. Other than that I can strongly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a decent retrogame.

If there's anything else you'd like to know please ask.

Again, Drew, thanks. This is exactly the kind of info I wanted.
Sadly, you've merely reinforced my Corvus Disorder urge to buy the game.

I'm getting a Warhammer Fantasy vibe from the various setting descriptions. How accurate is that?

Looked at from a certain angle, certainly. It's less... I don't know... grubby than WFRP, but to my eyes more scary.

You're aware you can download an art-free copy of the rules for nothing? It's halfway down the left hand side of the page I'm linking to:

http://lotfp.blogspot.com/?zx=f4831a981a13a0fb

And really, would it kill Raggi to drop by and answer questions?

Raggi always seems to be interested in promoting his game. Maybe he doesn't know this forum.

By the way, Drew, thank you for your mini review of the game, I found it very informative.

Oi. NOW you tell me. While I like (most of) the art, I think I would have been happy reading an artless version before committing $. Oh well, creators gotta get paid.