Created by Mars (also known as Paladinosaur,) Bee-on Genesis puts an insectoid spin on classic mecha tropes and produces a fun game perfect for groups who want to quickly dive into an experience with little to no planning.
The game is set in Hive, a futuristic city where invertebrate bugs of all types live in harmony. They can do this because some brave bugs have taken it upon themselves to protect the city from threats. These protectors take molted carapaces left behind by arthropods and pilot them like biological mechs, allowing them to take down the predators that attempt to threaten Hive.
Each Bug has three stats: Brawn, Understanding, and Guard. If a Bug is inside its mech, these stats get boosted, with mechs either adding 2 points to one state or 1 point to two stats, depending on the specific one the Bug is using.
The gameplay uses a simple but solid “success but” system. Whenever the players want to make an action, they roll 2D6 and add relevant stats. A high result means their action succeeds without incident. A mid-range roll means that the action succeeds but with a consequence, and a low roll signals that something goes horrifically wrong.
Perfect For Newcomers To TTRPG And Mecha
Because of these simple but effective systems, Bee-on Genesis is an excellent party game that’s fun for everyone, even players new to TTRPGs. Like Honey Heist, it’s a fun game that finds the mechanical and thematic sweet spots. Mechanically, the game is easy to learn and has simple math, but the “success but” system means there is enough tension and variety to keep players on their toes. The Bug mech theme is evocative enough to draw players in but simple enough that the lore doesn’t feel overwhelming, even for players not familiar with mecha anime tropes.
The game’s GM tools are also excellent, giving potential game runners three tables that let them quickly work out the story’s core threat, their evil plan, and the main villain in a couple of seconds. Plus, in a nice touch, these tables contain references to several beloved anime mecha series, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Darling in the Franxx, and Mobile Suit Gundam, making this a fun experience for long-time genre fans.
Jonathon Greenall is a freelance writer, TTRPG designer, and visual artist. They love creating and exploring the often overlooked corners of indie media, spotlighting things that dare to be different.