What game have you read has had the absolute best example of play? One that really seemed to get the genre of the game, and the game mechanics themselves across to you?
I have two.
The one from CoC where they're searching a room, and part way through something starts coming up the stairs and they all panic, it's just great.
The other, Runequest 2, Rurik going to the tavern and having a fight using his cudgel then accidentally killing a man, brings the whole deadliness of the game into sharp relief.
I must second RQ2. Those were some of the most atmospheric examples of play I've ever read. "Rumble in the Rubble", where Rurik is left to guard the horses, and two baboons try to steal them for lunch: "Give horse!" hissed the baboon. Classic. Also, they gave the dice rolls, the reasons for the rolls, and the results, and interpreted them as the referee and players would have to in game.
Tunnels and Trolls 5th edition, with Ken St. Andre's chatty, humorous style. Again, what was rolled, how it applied to the rules, and describing them as game world results. If only every rules author were so clear and concise.
Red Box D&D, where they step you thru the game choose-your-own adventure style. Learned the mechanics by actually playing the game step by step.
1st Edition AD&D. Idiosyncratic, yes, and it probably doesn't resemble most peoples' games - but it clearly shows what to Gygax an archetypal AD&D session would look like, and you can't ask more of an example of play than that.
I don't think I've got a favourite example of play, but I'm going to take this opportunity to say why I like the running examples in HeroQuest (which are much maligned).
You see, they start with what seems to me a very typical example of players getting to know the game and having certain silly reactions (such as the player who wants his character to learn surfing). This struck me as very true.
Over time, the players become more and more invested in the game, finding out how it works, being drawn into the world, becoming attached to their characters, losing the silly edges, and finally becoming so involved in the game that the last session is described entirely from the point of view of their characters.
Quote from: GunslingerRed Box D&D, where they step you thru the game choose-your-own adventure style. Learned the mechanics by actually playing the game step by step.
Ditto. It probably doesn't hurt that this is the game that launched me into the hobby.
Quote from: Leo KnightI must second RQ2. Those were some of the most atmospheric examples of play I've ever read. "Rumble in the Rubble", where Rurik is left to guard the horses, and two baboons try to steal them for lunch: "Give horse!" hissed the baboon. Classic. Also, they gave the dice rolls, the reasons for the rolls, and the results, and interpreted them as the referee and players would have to in game.
Exactly, it was full of atmosphere and actually showed you how the game was played.