Legacy Review #10: Zentraedi Breakout

Written by: Deborah Christian and Kevin Siembieda

Release Date: 1989

Catalogue Number: 559

Note: There are effectively three titles are Catalogue Number 559

• Return of the Masters

• Return of the Masters

  (Expanded Second Edition)

• Zentraedi Breakout

GENERAL

This book takes us in a bit of a U-Turn from the previous couple of Robotech RPG products. The focus of this book goes back to the post Robotech War between the RDF and the Zentraedi. There are several pockets of Zentraedi that have taken root, carving out zones of conflict that no country alone could manage. Thus, we take a look at one of the more significant regions, the Zentraedi Control Zone of South America and how it impacts local and global geo-politics. From previous entries, we know this to be a geopolitical hot spot, one with players from around the globe; lest we forget the interstellar kind causing a ruckus there as well.

SECTIONS

South America Revisted. One of two continents to ‘kind of escape’ the massive Zentraedi bombardment, the governments of old are no more.

• Venezuela Qudrant. Effectively the northern quarter of the continent. Hosts some RDF and a fledgling Southern Cross base, which are handily marked on a map.

• Brazilia Quadrant. The band across the middle third of the continent would be all Brazilia if not for the ZCZ. There are several major RDF bases, including St. Laurence Citadel, a strategic point in the southern part of the ZCZ. The RDF is there to contain Zentraedi though, not assist local governments.

• Argentine Quadrant. The lower third of South America, with the remnants of Chile largely left to the pirates and barons fighting for scraps. Argentina and Uruguay escaped almost untouched, leaving them the best situated to deal with global fall-out. The upper region has solid RDF forces that work with Argentine troops. A very detailed map supports their strong position.

• Zentraedi Control Zone. Detailed below.

Military Deployment. The estimates of the Zentraedi in the ZCZ are around 150,000 – no small force to deal with. To counter this, a combined force from RDF, Southern Cross, local government and E.B.S.I.S. forces number around the same. Despite the relative disparity between a Destroid or Veritech’s capabilities compared to an armored Zentraedi soldier, this is a continent-wide war being fought. South American Strategic Command (SASTRAC) is headquartered in the Columbian part of the Venezualen Quadrant and acts as an Allied Command of sorts to the signatory forces. Some notes on things like rank structure and division of troops by unit size are provided.

Robotech Defense Forces. A very pertinent section of world building. It develops the RDF Armies as they are deployed across the world under charter form the United World Government. Some specialized units/formations are given a bit of detail, mostly for GM use and overall immersion. Of note, the RDF Third Army is located across South America

• RDF Military Bases. Some key notes are given for development and use of the bases denoted on the master map of South America. Each base has a detailed breakdown of forces

• Armies of the Southern Cross. Still in development, they are fielding units to scale up and take over the RDF role as global protector.

• El Vencedor Army (EVA). The active military defending the Argentine Quarter is actually well trained, if not well armed for fighting the Zentraedi. They are preeminent jungle fighters though.

• Argentine Army (AA). An army of loosely affiliated pockets of fighters that are active along the southern borders of the ZCZ.They back-up the RDF, conduct local policing, and provide area defense.

Zentraedi Control Zone (ZCZ). The remnants of Khyron and Azonia’s rebellious fleet that crashed in South America. There is no factual number, but estimates are publicly pegged at 150,000, though it could be anywhere from double to triple that! Such a vast expanse is impossible to effectively manage and patrol. Covert operations may precede more robust deployments, but this is effectively the RDF’s Vietnam. A series of entries develops the region for a GM, including basic border strategies, typical surveillance outposts, mecha tactics, and a very well-presented series of engagements the Players could be forced to deal with. A very handy map develops the southern border of the ZCZ from the SASTRAC’s perspective.

Zentraedi Breakout. This border adventure along the southern region of the ZCZ is an exceptionally well written adventure module. It’s backed up with great details for the GM and some very useful maps to guide the action. There are some give and take moments throughout involving reconnaissance missions to mecha battles, all within the context of defending the Argentine Quadrant and nearby civilians. It also provides a superb wrap-up in the conclusion that provides the GM options whether it’s an RDF victory, or a Zentraedi victory! This culminates with a series of random encounter tables that I think give the GM a dearth of information to utilize.

Appendix A. Just a series of entries for various vehicle and weapon entries; little write-up and just the requisite gaming information.

IMPRESSIONS

Initial Review (10/10). One of the first things out the gate is the timeline issue. In previous books there were copious comments on how the E.B.S.I.S.  became the dominant player in South America. A timeline of these developments would have been a massive bonus. Speaking of dovetails, this book pretty much connects to them all: First Generation conflicts abound, while the Southern Cross is in its infancy, assuming the REF is getting mobilized, and could act as a sort of predecessor to the Robotech Masters. The possible missions involved, and the rough terrain, presents a multitude of mission packets. Since mecha is not always going to be a viable answer, covert missions by land, aerial or riverine insertion are options.

Mostly illustrated by Breaux, the artwork is very effective and thematic. Maps are basic but very helpful for situating the GM. It would an insult not to mention just how well that adventure module is presented and the options it gives a GM. Almost 20 pages long, it is the standard by which I am ranking other Robotech adventures in the RPG series. Combined with the ability to merge in Southern Cross, REF, even E.B.S.I.S. robots, the GM is given a veritable buffet of options. How this meshes with the remainder of the RDF also presents a deployment opportunity for the Players. Leaving North America as a team inserted to assist SASTRAC, run through the adventure and any number of others the GM presents is a fantastic and realistic option. This book is firing on all absolutely all its cylinders and then some. Fantastic addition for the collector, and I daresay a must for anyone looking to play almost any Generation of Robotech prior to the arrival of the Invid.

The one critique for the book is how is develops the world building in relation to the other published works detailing that timeframe. There are some inconsistencies between what is presented herein and that of the Jack McKinney novel, The Zentraedi Rebellion (released in 1994). Whereas the McKinney novel very effectively develops the Southern Hemisphere's and Armies of the Southern Cross' influence over geo-politics (review forthcoming), this RPG product provides the GM with some great adventure material; easily prepares you for massive campaign potential. There is a disconnect between the two, but as a GM, reconciling these differences is relatively easy. This RPG book provides yet more material to it into one of the premiere entries in the Palladium Books' ROBOTECH series ever published.

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