Don't let the character sheet fool you - it makes the game system look more complex than it really is. Crimson Exodus is a fantastic game, go and read the reviews for it, and then buy it!

In short, I very highly recommend you buy this game. The long version follows:

Simply put, I think this is one of the best rpg systems currently on the market, and is definitely in my top 5 - simple and elegant mechanics, not too light on the rules but not too heavy either (the perfect sweet spot), the best of the old school and the new school gaming concepts with a healthy dose of innovation - I can't express how awesome the system is in words, it's that good. The setting is also a very interesting one, with many twists on your typical fantasy setting. David Vershaw's review covers the system pretty well - although he doesn't stress how awesome the scaling mechanics really are in play (they are a great innovation giving lots of tactical depth to player's dice rolls like no other system out there). So rather than talk more about the system, I'll give you some information on the setting.

Simply put, the setting is dripping with flavor and has years of gaming potential in the core book alone - there's no clear-cut good/evil, lots of shades of gray. The setting is based around the crumbling of the elven empire as they retreat from the area (the elven banner is the crimson banner, thus the name of the RPG - the crimson exodus - for the Elven exodus). The elves ran a huge empire, but are now retreating as the empire crumbles here on the peninsula (where the setting is focused). There are Elves (widely hated due to their superiority complex and years of harsh rule), Elnar (sort of like "lesser" elves though not as hated as the elves), dwarves, and humans too (of several cultural varieties), that's the bulk of races. There are Orcs (and the "greater Orcs", the Senshoul) as the main enemy races of the other races. There is a black-death-plague-like thing going on in the center of the crumbling eastern empire - except that those that get infected become the living dead (mix of typical fantasy vampires and ghouls). In the far east there are worshipers of an ancient serpent god that are a sort of "enemy" race as they gather strength and try to resurrect the long dead Serpent Empire that the Elves crushed when they conquered the lands here.

Well ok, a little bit more about the system - there are 3 distinctly different magic systems - witchcraft mostly used by elves/elnar, sorcery mostly used by dwarves and the black arts mostly used by worshipers of an ancient serpent god to the far east of the peninsula. There's also a separate system for alchemy magic and an herbal magic system. Each system has it's own unique flavor and feel, which a really awesome touch.