The Mechanoid Invasion

''The Mechanoid Invasion'' (and its source books, supplements and sequels) was the first role-playing game from Palladium Books, published in 1981. The science fiction setting places human settlers at odds with a deadly cybernetic invasion force.

Description

''The Mechanoid Invasion'' centers on the planet Gideon E, colonized by humans. A powerful, malevolent, and numerous race of bio-driven machines have come to invade the planet. The humans are hard-pressed to defend themselves against the technologically superior invaders.

The game uses a stripped down version of the Palladium Role-Playing Game rules. Characters have basic attributes (Physical Strength, Intelligence Quotient, Speed, etc.). Hit points are dependent on the character's Physical Endurance. The characters are completed with Occupational Character Classes and their accompanying skills. There are also rules for paranormal psionic abilities.

Publication history

In 1981, Palladium published its first role-playing game as a series of three comic-book sized sourcebooks:
# ''The Mechanoid Invasion'' covers the invasion of Gideon E
# '' Journey'', describes human survivors living within a mechanoid mothership after the destruction of the Gideon E colony and introduces "minor magic and some psionics".
# ''Homeworld'' deals with the Mechanoid homeworld itself.

In 1985, Palladium revised and republished the game as a single book, ''The Mechanoids''.

In 1991 Caliber Comics produced a 3-book series called ''The Mechanoids'' which adapted the game into comic book stories.

In the early 90s "Sourcebook Two" of '' Rifts'' was released, titled ''The Mechanoids'', and it included conversions for the Mechanoids for use in a Rifts Earth setting, along with a storyline on how they got there.

In 1998 a collected ''Mechanoids RPG'' was released, compiled as the ''Mechanoid Invasion Trilogy'' which is still available.Palladium Books description of the Trilogy compilation
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Reception

In Issue 42 of ''The Space Gamer'' No. 42, William A. Barton reviewed the original three-book edition and commented, "If you can overlook its amateurish production (and the price helps in this), I think you'll find ''The Mechanoid Invasion'' worth the investment. It should provide some enjoyable role playing in an SF setting as a break from ''Traveller'' or your other favorite SF RPG."

Ken Rolston reviewed ''The Mechanoid Invasion'' for ''Different Worlds'' magazine and stated that "I liked this book; it would provide an excellent background for a good science fiction adventure campaign. The product quality is poor; the gamemaster will have to do most of the work of setting up the campaign, and the rules do not handle movement, healing, or other important aspects of a full-scale campaign; nonetheless, the gamemaster can improvise these aspects as they arise, much as was done with the original fantasy role-playing games. The concept of the Mechanoids and the tragic and desperate plight of the besieged colonies is the virtue of the game, and could be easily adapted to any science-fiction role-playing game."

In his 1990 book ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'', game critic Rick Swan was impressed with this game, writing "Concise rules, a slick presentation, and a fascinating setting add up to a gem of a game." The only issue Swan had was with the paranormal abilities, which Swan thought "reads suspiciously like magic spells ... This psionic/magic system contrasts too sharply with the high-tech setting of ''Mechanoids'' and should've been left on the drawing board." Swan's favorite part of the game was the "vivid setting" that had humans hopelessly outclassed by the Mechanoids. As Swan summarized it, "The situation is desperate, and the result is a level of tension seldom achieved in a role-playing game." Swan concluded by giving the game a solid rating of 3 out of 4, saying, "science fiction fans shouldn't miss ''Mechanoids''."

References

External links

*''The Mechanoid Invasion'' official discussion board a
Palladium Books ''Forums of the Megaverse''
*''The Mechanoid Invasion'' a
RPG Geek Database
*''The Mechanoid Invasion'' a
RPGnet Game Index

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mechanoid Invasion, The
Megaverse (Palladium Books)
Role-playing games introduced in 1981
Science fiction role-playing games