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Life On Terra Nova, 2nd Edition, is the main world book for Heavy Gear, by Dream Pod 9. Besides the main rulebook, it contains everything needed to run a Heavy Gear roleplaying campaign. The book starts with a chapter on the history of mankind since contemporary times. Several chapters on the various regions of Terra Nova follow. Each chapter contains a summary of the history of that region, a political background, and all the major cities in the area. Port Arthur is detailed to provide a place to start a campaign. A brief chapter on Terranovan lifestyle follows. Life On Terra Nova then concludes with a chapter of Gamemaster Resources.

The history chapter at the beginning of Life On Terra Nova is mostly fluff. It explains the colonization of other solar systems by Earth and why Earth suddenly withdrew from its colonies. The history is useful to understand references in other supplements--for example, references to the Prime Knights. However, it doesn't have much use in a Heavy Gear campaign. Only the end of the chapter is useful, since it explains recent Terranovan history.

The next three chapters describe, respectively, the North, the South, and the Badlands. The first few pages of each chapter provide an overview of the history of their region, including a V.I.P. section, a brief history, and a legal background. A similar background is provided for each territory which composes the overall region. The bulk of each chapter is devoted to 1/2 to one page descriptions of the major cities in each area. These are useful because they provide enough framework for a GM to improvise from if necessary. Unfortunately, many of the city descriptions are not "exciting" or "fun" to read. Its more like reading an encyclopedia than a game supplement. On the upside, many of the city descriptions provide plot hooks to ease a gamemaster's job. In particular, the revolution and bloodsports in the Eastern Sun Emirates begged to be turned into an adventure. These chapters compose almost half the book.

The Port Arthur Sourcebook follows the general chapters about Terra Nova. Providing a plethora of plot hooks, its designed to allow a GM to quickly create a campaign in the city. The idea is great in theory, but the Port Arthur chapter doesn't execute it very well. Port Arthur was created by GRELs, is run by GRELs, and even its rebellions are led by GRELs. Although the PCs could play officers, badlanders, or other character types in the city, the primary focus is on the supersoldiers. Since PCs aren't supposed to be GRELs, they get stuck with a supporting role.

The next chapter, titled "Terranovan Living," is a general but excellent overview of the Terranovan way of life. In 10 pages, it covers the arts, sports, clothing, currency, religion, and many other things in the perfect amount of detail. Each topic creates a distinct Terranovan flavor without being too bizarre or complex.

Life On Terra Nova ends with a chapter entitled "Gamemaster Resources." It has a page about campaigning on Terranova, followed by a few pages of fairly uninspired adventure ideas. Stock NPCs flesh out the chapter. They are useful but not very interesting.

Life On Terra Nova, 2nd edition, is a useful book, though it lacks the pizzazz of some of the other supplements. The book has been updated to reflect the continuing story arc. While the updated information doesn't make the book a worthwhile purchase for owners of the first edition, it has the nice effect of allowing newcomers to start at the current time in the story arc. Visually, Life On Terra Nova is pretty(The picture of the pope is hilarious). Unfortunately, many simple typos mar the layout. The descriptions of the cities are slightly bland, and the Port Arthur sourcebook doesn't work for a campaign. On the upside, the description of Terranovan life is excellent, and the parts about each region and its cities are useful. Ultimately, if you own Heavy Gear, this is the second book to buy, unless you own the first edition.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Life on Terra Nova, 2nd Edition
Author: Various Category: game Company/Publisher: Dream Pod 9 Cost: $23.95 U.S. Page count: 160 ISBN: 1-896776-40-X Capsule Review by Andy Wills on 01/13/99. Genre tags: Science_fiction Anime	Life On Terra Nova, 2nd Edition, is the main world book for Heavy Gear, by Dream Pod 9. Besides the main rulebook, it contains everything needed to run a Heavy Gear roleplaying campaign. The book starts with a chapter on the history of mankind since contemporary times. Several chapters on the various regions of Terra Nova follow. Each chapter contains a summary of the history of that region, a political background, and all the major cities in the area. Port Arthur is detailed to provide a place to start a campaign. A brief chapter on Terranovan lifestyle follows. Life On Terra Nova then concludes with a chapter of Gamemaster Resources. The history chapter at the beginning of Life On Terra Nova is mostly fluff. It explains the colonization of other solar systems by Earth and why Earth suddenly withdrew from its colonies. The history is useful to understand references in other supplements--for example, references to the Prime Knights. However, it doesn't have much use in a Heavy Gear campaign. Only the end of the chapter is useful, since it explains recent Terranovan history. The next three chapters describe, respectively, the North, the South, and the Badlands. The first few pages of each chapter provide an overview of the history of their region, including a V.I.P. section, a brief history, and a legal background. A similar background is provided for each territory which composes the overall region. The bulk of each chapter is devoted to 1/2 to one page descriptions of the major cities in each area. These are useful because they provide enough framework for a GM to improvise from if necessary. Unfortunately, many of the city descriptions are not "exciting" or "fun" to read. Its more like reading an encyclopedia than a game supplement. On the upside, many of the city descriptions provide plot hooks to ease a gamemaster's job. In particular, the revolution and bloodsports in the Eastern Sun Emirates begged to be turned into an adventure. These chapters compose almost half the book. The Port Arthur Sourcebook follows the general chapters about Terra Nova. Providing a plethora of plot hooks, its designed to allow a GM to quickly create a campaign in the city. The idea is great in theory, but the Port Arthur chapter doesn't execute it very well. Port Arthur was created by GRELs, is run by GRELs, and even its rebellions are led by GRELs. Although the PCs could play officers, badlanders, or other character types in the city, the primary focus is on the supersoldiers. Since PCs aren't supposed to be GRELs, they get stuck with a supporting role. The next chapter, titled "Terranovan Living," is a general but excellent overview of the Terranovan way of life. In 10 pages, it covers the arts, sports, clothing, currency, religion, and many other things in the perfect amount of detail. Each topic creates a distinct Terranovan flavor without being too bizarre or complex. Life On Terra Nova ends with a chapter entitled "Gamemaster Resources." It has a page about campaigning on Terranova, followed by a few pages of fairly uninspired adventure ideas. Stock NPCs flesh out the chapter. They are useful but not very interesting. Life On Terra Nova, 2nd edition, is a useful book, though it lacks the pizzazz of some of the other supplements. The book has been updated to reflect the continuing story arc. While the updated information doesn't make the book a worthwhile purchase for owners of the first edition, it has the nice effect of allowing newcomers to start at the current time in the story arc. Visually, Life On Terra Nova is pretty(The picture of the pope is hilarious). Unfortunately, many simple typos mar the layout. The descriptions of the cities are slightly bland, and the Port Arthur sourcebook doesn't work for a campaign. On the upside, the description of Terranovan life is excellent, and the parts about each region and its cities are useful. Ultimately, if you own Heavy Gear, this is the second book to buy, unless you own the first edition. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Life on Terra Nova, 2nd Edition