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Overall review: I would have given an average overall rating of a 4, but the inverted d20 system is what brought it down. I have played several systems and to have a system use the opposite of what you are brought up in life to learn is just confusing enough than to figure it out in a RPG. Possibly keeping BHB a normal system and tweaking the other mechanics of the game, that is what would have increased the average overall rating.
BHB is said to have an anime feel to it, but until I went and watched Cowboy Bebop is when I felt the anime feel. After watching Cowboy Bebop, I saw many similarities; so why BHB wasn’t just called Cowboy Bebop and give the owners of Cowboy Bebop a percentage of the sales is left up to the people of BHB; I guess you have to save money somewhere.
I am reviewing BHB via a pdf download, so I don’t know the feel of the book or the look of the pages. The person who did the layouts, Mark Reed, performed the layout of the tables and pictures in relation to the words very professionally.
Artwork: I enjoyed the black & white artwork of Jake Richmond; but was upset that out of the 23 provided pictures, there was 5 repeating woman pictures, 4 repeating man pictures, lack of planet pictures, and the lack of more than one vehicle pictures.
Game mechanics: Most of the mechanics in BHB are similar to other RPG systems, but here are some interesting game mechanics that are different.
Flaws: By giving the players more, by taking away, I found that a great feel towards realism than just over doing it. I found it annoying by not being able to have that one feat, or in this case an Edge, needed at 1st level to help you in your character build a hinderance and a lack of fun. By using the Flaw mechanic and letting the player pick another Edge, by taking a Flaw, is a great way to had fun to the game.
Psychosis: By just adding Psionics to the game was fun in itself, but to add the effects of Psychosis made the game more interesting. This way the Psionic character couldn’t just go around and blast things with their mind and not have a consequence to deal with.
XP: By having the character able to obtain XP and then spend it, I found as a better mechanic than the obtaining XP until you made a new level. I also like the ideas that you can spend your XP to buy off the Flaws that you have obtained during the game.
In Conclusion: Because the inverted d20 system might not be for everyone, if you are not familiar with the inverted d20 system, I would encourage you to check out this book at your local hobby shop first; but if you are familiar with the inverted d20 system, then the cost of a pdf download would be more affordable as compared to the book. The new mechanics that BHB has to offer would be a valuable addition to your RPG collection.
Sincerely,
Jonathon M. Johnson
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