DO judge this book by its cover, which immediately transport you to the Universal Century. Susanah Grace’s CHVLR builds on the tragic tales of youths at war popularized by the Mobile Suit Gundam franchises, but also Chris Bissette’s delightful tumbling block resolution system that leads your Pilot to their inevitable end. They blend perfectly into this zine-length solo-RPG, giving you just enough structure to explore the challenges of a mecha pilot drafted into another forever war. Between the content warnings and your character sheet, the destination is clear. Your pilot will die in action. But what they face, what they give up for “victory” is yours to find out.
Literary review language aside: this will rock your socks off if you are a Robotech or Gunpla fan. Even if you are not though, there is plenty of inspiration and flavor to CHVLR to get you in the right headspace. Loved the game and am constantly pushing it on my friends.