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Ever eager to find new ways to roleplay anime style, I decided to grab a copy of the long-awaited GURPS Mecha, which would at long last bring giant robots into GURPS. Based on my prior experiences with SJG's products, my only point of concern was the art -- could they come up with decent anime-style art? In that area, they managed to get two fairly good artists, whose works range from so-so to very good. Okay, so there are anime fans who can draw better, but then I never bought anything from SJG for the art.

As for the actual substance of the game material, I was pleasantly surprised by the general info on running campaigns; all in all it actually does a better job than Mekton Z of exploring the possibilies, listing off the various cliched character types including the Bishonen, Schoolkid With A Destiny, Mascot, and so forth. It also presents some general ideas on using mecha in fantasy campaigns, ala Magic Knight Rayearth and Escaflowne.

Of course, the actual treatment of mecha is probably the most important concern. In this area it takes the typical path chosen by GURPS, being *very* detailed. Whether this would be better than another system is really a matter of personal tastes. If you want to run a cinematic anime-style campaign, just go buy Mekton Z, but if you want (for instance) the placement of a weapon to directly affect how it can be used in combat, GURPS Mecha is a good choice.

The book also includes a handful of Advantages unique to mecha/anime; Shoujo Mallet is a 1pt advantage that lets cute female characters breach HammerSpace for comedic purposes, and Bonded Mecha lets a character have their mecha magically appear around them.

Lastly, the book has a campaign setting; Cybermech Damocles. This setting deals with a secret organization on Earth whose purpose is to stop aliens who are trying to covertly steal the brains of humans for use in biological computers (since natural brain tissue responds better than the vat-grown kind). This innovative world mixes superheroing, invasion of the bodysnatchers (well, brainsnatchers), and mecha action into an interesting gumbo.

Overall, I'd say GURPS Mecha is worth buying. If you're not into GURPS then for ideas, and if you are, then for sticking giant robot action into your next game.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

GURPS Mecha
Author: David Pulver Category: game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Capsule Review by Ewen "Sir Ryoga" Cluney on 08/16/97. Genre tags: none	Ever eager to find new ways to roleplay anime style, I decided to grab a copy of the long-awaited GURPS Mecha, which would at long last bring giant robots into GURPS. Based on my prior experiences with SJG's products, my only point of concern was the art -- could they come up with decent anime-style art? In that area, they managed to get two fairly good artists, whose works range from so-so to very good. Okay, so there are anime fans who can draw better, but then I never bought anything from SJG for the art. As for the actual substance of the game material, I was pleasantly surprised by the general info on running campaigns; all in all it actually does a better job than Mekton Z of exploring the possibilies, listing off the various cliched character types including the Bishonen, Schoolkid With A Destiny, Mascot, and so forth. It also presents some general ideas on using mecha in fantasy campaigns, ala Magic Knight Rayearth and Escaflowne. Of course, the actual treatment of mecha is probably the most important concern. In this area it takes the typical path chosen by GURPS, being very detailed. Whether this would be better than another system is really a matter of personal tastes. If you want to run a cinematic anime-style campaign, just go buy Mekton Z, but if you want (for instance) the placement of a weapon to directly affect how it can be used in combat, GURPS Mecha is a good choice. The book also includes a handful of Advantages unique to mecha/anime; Shoujo Mallet is a 1pt advantage that lets cute female characters breach HammerSpace for comedic purposes, and Bonded Mecha lets a character have their mecha magically appear around them. Lastly, the book has a campaign setting; Cybermech Damocles. This setting deals with a secret organization on Earth whose purpose is to stop aliens who are trying to covertly steal the brains of humans for use in biological computers (since natural brain tissue responds better than the vat-grown kind). This innovative world mixes superheroing, invasion of the bodysnatchers (well, brainsnatchers), and mecha action into an interesting gumbo. Overall, I'd say GURPS Mecha is worth buying. If you're not into GURPS then for ideas, and if you are, then for sticking giant robot action into your next game. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)