This pdf clocks in at 2 pages and is a mini-dungeon. This means we get 2 pages content, including a solid map (alas, sans player-friendly version) and all item/monster-stats hyperlinked to d20pfsrd.com's shop and thus, absent from the pdf, with only deviations from the statblocks being noted for the GM.
Since this product line's goal is providing short diversions, side-quest dungeons etc., I will not expect mind-shattering revelations, massive plots or particularly smart or detailed depictions, instead tackling the line for what it is. This is one of the optional expansions for AAW Games' superb Snow-White mega-adventure and thus has a certain fairy-tale-flair and can easily added into the superb mega-module.
Got that? Great!
This being an adventure-review, the following contains SPOILERS. Potential players may wish to jump to the conclusion.
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Still here?
All right!
So, at some point, the PCs will probably stumble over (or seek out) the massive forest maze within the haunted forest, as it holds a rather crucial component for many of the resolution-paths of the main module. The entrance to said maze is expanded in this pdf, in the guise of brownies testing the PCs (and introducing them to the delightful concept of minitaurs!). Beyond these, the pdf sports a cool "move matches"-style puzzle with sticks and a well-crafted riddle...oh, and the pdf makes ample use of the absolutely awesome flora and fauna introduced in Snow-White, so yeah - an all around awesome mini-dungeon!
Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are very good, I noticed no significant glitches. Layout adheres to a beautiful 2-column full-color standard and the pdf comes sans bookmarks, but needs none at this length. Cartography is full color and surprisingly good for such an inexpensive pdf, but there is no key-less version of the map to print out and hand to your players.
Jonathan G. Nelson's "Entrance to the Forest Maze" may well be the best of the whole series - and when Stephen Yeardley is the guy your material has to compete with, that means something. If you're using Snow-White, this is absolutely brilliant - the use of the unique flora and fauna of the haunted forest makes this mini-dungeon feel unique and alive and seeing a well-crafted puzzle and a good riddle as well offers something for players to do beyond killing everything. Now there is one catch - you practically need Snow-White to get something out of this - but even if you don't you can still scavenge puzzle and riddle...and it should be emphasized: This is FREE and costs literally nothing...so go ahead and get this cool, fun mini-dungeon. This would be 5 stars +seal of approval even if it weren't free.
Endzeitgeist out.
