Author: Kevin Siembieda
Category: game
Company/Publisher: Palladium Books
Line: Macross II
Cost: $11.95
Page Count: 112
ISBN: 0916211-62-2
SKU: 590
Capsule Review by Adam Kath on 08/06/00. Genre tags: Science fiction Space Anime

While the famous anime series Super Dimensional Fortress Macross was mixed in with two other shows to become Robotech in the US, in Japan it's popularity spawned many sequels all on it's own. One sequel with the most interesting real life history is Macross II, a 6 episode OAV that has been banished from official Macross continuity. Produced when Studio Nue had decided to take a rest from the Macross franchise, Big West couldn't leave a potential cash cow un-milked for long and the result was a shallow paint by number sequel lacking in the classic Macross spark. Fan opinion was mixed, though usually negative and when Studio Nue returned and requested that Macross II not be included in their Macross continuity, Big West quickly complied and Macross II was cast adrift...

But even an alternate universe sequel still shares some minimal link to the original series, and Macross II was picked up for North American release by US Renditions. Given a free hand to do things under the license they signed, US Renditions kicked off plans to produce a Macross II comic (of which only one issue was finished) and a role-playing game adaptation of the Macross II universe. They turned to the company that had already translated similar mecha in the form of the Robotech RPG: Palladium Books.

While Macross II shares much with the Robotech RPG, it also owes much to Rifts, it in fact provides an insight into how the Robotech RPG would of turned out post-Rifts. System wise it's the now standard Post-Rifts Palladium MDC system, not the best at simulating anime style mecha on mecha action, but not a total loss either. Character creation is randomly D6 rolls for stats and the selection of one of 13 Occupational Character Classes to define skill selection and equipment. Only one OCC is not a military one and even that one has the ability to pilot one of the Valkyries. Task resolution is quick, percentage roll against the required skill. Combat is defender D20 roll versus the attacker's D20 roll, but can really bog down at times especially when Mega-damage combat is envolved.

Good guy mecha designs are based on the transformable jet fighter Valkyrie model, with two military designs and even a civilian version available. The MDC levels put Robotech to shame, but are not much against Rifts designs. Also the players have access to Rifts and Robotech style MDC personal armor in the guise of spacesuits, but how many spacesuits do you know that can survive a shot from a 43 foot tall robot, a shot so powerful that would utterly shred a 20th century tank?

Organization also has a question mark over it; the book kicks off with character creation, then skills, continues on with mecha and equipment before finally providing the OCC, which doesn't cut down on page flipping when beginning play. While experienced Palladium gamers will have little problem with the system, those unfamiliar with it will find gapping holes in the explanations of how it works. Background isn't a high point of this book either, with most of the info in the 7 pages dedicated to setting and series NPCs being just as easily gleamed from watching the series. As a sequel, Macross II can be partially accused for this fault, though it does not make it easy to play in the book's universe.

The Macross II RPG certainly provides a reasonably solid system and mecha stats to use with it, but is skimpy on useful background or source material to fully recommend it. Those looking for mecha designs to steal for their Rifts and Robotech games will find use with it, but those looking for a full pre-existing universe to play with should probably look elsewhere.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 2 (Sparse)