Big Eyes, Small Mouth Second Edition Revised

by David L. Pulver and Mark C. MacKinnon

Book Overview

The first edition of this multi-genre Japanese anime role-playing game was nominated for the 1998 Origins Award for Best RPG of the Year by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design. This second... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1894525450
• ISBN13: 9781894525459
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Guardians of Order
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The best edition of a fantastic system

Big Eyes Small Mouth has gotten even better. For those who enjoyed the tweaks made to the 2nd edition, these words may be hard to believe, but trust me, it's true. With the newest edition of their anime-inspired role-playing game system, Mark C. MacKinnon and David Pulver have created what is at once both an incredibly streamlined, simple, and fun game, and also a deeply complex, customizable, and rich gaming experience. First, the TriStat system, what the original BESM was built on (using the three stats of Body, Mind, and Soul to build a character and make rolls) has been changed to a roll-high rather than roll-low system. Instead of trying to roll under a number, you're now trying roll above it, making the game more intuitive and accessable for afficionados of other games like D & D and GURPS. Most everything else will be similar however. You still get a set number of points with which to buy your stats, collect Attributes and Skills (which have now been more integrated, nixing the need to load up on 6 levels of Highly Skilled in order to have a competent character), and get bonus points with Defects. The changes made to these standbys are mostly "more of everything." You start out with more points than ever before, so most things cost more. However, you also have a broader spectrum of powerful attributes from which to choose, with effects that you can either customize (creating anything from a powerful magic artifact to a highly-evolved AI in your spy gear) or can leave completely alone if you don't want to fuss with the rules. Constant notes (titled "Keep it Simple") are made throughout the book of ways to streamline the experience to make it less complicated, even allowing for near-diceless playing (by "taking 6" instead of actually rolling). Combat has been expanded as well, with more Armour options (including expanded Shield mechanics for defense), more information on performing wild stunts (in or out of vehicles), and several tactical options like going all defensive (to gain a bonus by not attacking) or holding your action until triggered by your enemy (allowing you break their stride during an attack). Many elements that used to be seperated are now combined to allow for less confusion (Kensei and Gun Bunny are now all "Combat Techniques," so you Munchkins don't have to spend twice the points to be able to wield both two swords AND two guns), and features like "Targeted" abilities allow you to gain bonuses when facing certain foes with certain weapons. Magic has also recived an overhaul, with powers being divided into Dynamic Powers or bought individually as abilites (Flight, Mind Control, etc.), or even created using customizable attributes with enhancements, defects, and even some spell and spellcaster templates (Want a targeted beam of holy destruction to smite your enemies? You got it, and if you don't like the example in the book, make up your own). Additionally, there are more options than ever for items, character classes

Positively Love it!

What can I say Big Eyes, Small mouth was like a gift from the gods. I was over at my brothers place for a weekend and he told me about this game. At that moment I made it my quest to get this book. You see I am a huge Otaku (Anime Fan). Well a roleplaying game that you get to roleplay an anime character well how could I not want to get it. I am also a very big person in RPGs as well I have been role playing for 12 years. Played Vampire, D & D 2ed & 3rd, Kindred of the east, Chtulhu, and others not going to name them all. But this RPG I now love more then all the others. The types of Genres and settings are limitless and the only limit you have is your own imagination. You can play anything from Big giant Mecha battles like you see in Robotech, Macross, and VOLTRON!! All the way to your supernatural horrors to even your fantasy worlds like D & D you could even have a game like Vampire. The Characters aren't limited to Races or classes like most games are. Its a very wonderful game. I recommend anyone who is creative and who loves anime to purchase this book. I even have people who hate anime interested in this game and they enjoy playing it. So buy a copy of this book you won't be disappointed.

Role play with the best system

For those of you looking for that one "generic" system, look no further. Big Eyes Small Mouth is the game for you. Based on Guardians of the Order Tri-Stat system, BESM has all the rules necessary to create any kind of character you can think of and play in any world your imagination can create. The rules are simple yet complete, and you can concentrate on the details of the game without being bogged down by tedious rules. All dice rolls are based on 6 sided die. (The normal kind) so you don't need any polyhedral (funny looking) dice. Even though the game is suppose to be an "anime" based game, you can use it for any type of genre. The book is also very colorful and filled with great art. The pages are glossy and feels like those expensive manga books. Pick this book up and you won't regret it!

Not just for gamers!

I've never RPG'd in my life, but this book was a must-have for the groovalicious art. As a bonus, there are clear and simple descriptions of various manga and anime subgenres, and an excellent beginner's list of videos available in the US.

A Top Notch Piece of Work!

This book is a classic example of how something can take off if it is innovative. The clean-cut, easy-to-learn system introduced in the first edition became wildly popular, leading to five lucrative licenses and two incredible supplements before the second edition came out.This second edition basically presents once more the rules from the first edition rather than changing the original rules, this time clarifying many points left untouched in the original rulesbook. It also incorporates the most popular rules from BESM's first two supplements (Big Robots, Cool Starships and Hot Rods & Gun Bunnies) as well as some popular attributes from the licensed games (the new Magic attribute being the most notable).This book also represents the company's growing graphic arts muscles. The full color format is absolutely beautiful and most of the interior art is top-notch. My hat goes off to the skill of Jeff Mackintosh.The only complaint I have (and it is a small one) is the sheer overwhelming size of the book. The new material and artwork increased the size of the book from the 96 pages of the original to the whopping 288 pages of this second edition! I personally would have perferred they had stuck with a 112 page layout (similar to their supplements) and kept the BRCS and HRGB attributes in their respective supplements. But that's just my personal opinion.Overall, the BESM-2e book is well worth the money. I encourage any anime fan/rpg gamer to pick it up.