This is a finely written game that allows any anime giant robot (or armored suit) type of setting you would like to try. Using the combat circle takes a bit of getting used to but the abstract nature allows for everything from simple skirmish encounters to full on city invasions. The focus stays on the characters and the unique, structured role playing cycle allows every character to get a moment in the sun. Three settings, called "setting Reference Schematic" or SRS, are given with great intros and enough detail to take a group right into some fascinating action. I was luck enough to play in a setting at KantCon in KC and discovered just how flexible the system was. Not only did we have four battles (from a simple skirmish to the climatic final battle) but we went through three full role playing rounds where everyone had a chance to explore the town, hunt down hidden agenda's, and even attempt to start a bar fight (which was ever more fun because the the character actually failed to do so - being laughed out of the bar!) Note that all this was acomplished, including the GM giving a full description of the setting and the game, in just four hours. I would probably not recommend the system for a long session as, being d6 based, it can get godlike fairly quickly as characters will quickly - in my evaluation - top out their skills. However for short campaigns of a half dozen sessions (like a single season) the game should be fresh and fun for all. The author even gives a good outline of how to get your group to help create, and thus invest in, the setting and story. Really good information1

I introduced this game to my playgroup recently, and it went over very well. The rules, while relatively simple, capture the 'feel' of the genre, and are elastic enough to allow total creative freedom while remaining balanced. The combat system is straightforward, and can be taught to a new player quickly. While there are some typos in the text, it is only a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar game. At $10, it is a steal.

First of all, I am not going to repeat what other reviewers said: if you like the Mecha genre, there is probably no better product out there which offers the same mix of roleplaying and strategy and "crunch". But I want to address some things regarding the 2nd edition, and a few issues I had with the 1st edition.

So what's new in 2e?

1) It's still the same game, which is a good thing. Sadly, the author doesn't specify what's really new. On a cursory reading, I couldn't find any difference in the rules; perhaps it's in some Mecha configuration or some other little detail? It would be useful if the author produced a small document which tracks the changes. I have already a print-out of the 1st edition with which I am familiar, and it would be nice if I could avoid to print it out again.

2) Despite the fact that an editor was hired for this new edition, the number of typos has not been reduced drastically. On a random sampling of pages throughout the book, I reckon less than half the typos has been corrected. And the number of typos in the 1st edition numbered at an average of approximately 2 per page. That's really, really annoying. PLUS, there is a boat load of page XX references. 31, to be precise (and what's worse, they are in the cheat sheet which is supposed to be helpful.) That's just sloppy editing. The layout on the other hand is better, and a few glitches in the graphical presentation have been fixed.

So, all in all this 2nd edition needs work, perhaps more than the 1st edition did (at least there weren't any page XX references.) I am only giving a rating of 3 because of the presentation and the annoying typos, and the lack of a "what's new" list.

I love this game. It is my all-time favourite mecha RPG. It really captures the feel of anime mecha battles and does what other mecha games have failed to do, intergrating the character interactions with the combat system so they both have an effect on each other. This is certainly low on the "crunch" scale or mecha RPG's, but is all the better for it. It focuses your attention on the pilots, their relationships and their goals. I also really like the tactical "bullseye" map used to manouvre mechs. It is simple and straightforward to use, but offers enough tactical depth to make combat interesting. A really well made game.

Ever since I've started preferring lighter systems, Chris Perrin's Mecha RPG has become one of my favorites. Combat is still tactical enough that your choices matter, and there's just enough differentiation between different mecha to make any two characters (and their mecha) distinct in their combat styles. But it's definitely a much simpler system, and fairly influenced by indie design elements like scene framing. I've ported Heavy Gear to this system and it works great. Highly recommended.

Really, there's one thing I have to ask you, the reader:

Why don't you have this?

At $12, this is quite possibly the only Mecha game you'll ever need. The rules are simple, but contain all that you need for a rough-and-ready mecha campaign.

I like the multiple-die success system, which I personally believe is the way to play. So get this! It's cheap, and it's good. Decent art, bland but forgivable typesetting, it's all good. It's a good game for the whole family, as well, due to its simplicity, but it's not by any means so simple as to be only part of a game.

I give it a five-star rating, just because it's got everything I look for in a mecha game.