# Bliss Stage tags: #game/rpg/bliss-stage ![[Bliss Stage (cover).jpg]] **Bliss Stage** takes the whole concept of "teen angst meets apocalyptic alien invasion" to a new level of, well, blissfully complicated storytelling and gameplay. Imagine this: humanity's on its knees courtesy of aliens who probably thought we needed a new extreme sport. Cut to seven years later, and it's up to a bunch of teenagers, armed with the kind of tech that makes you wonder if the instruction manual was written in hieroglyphics, to save the day. Because, of course, when civilization is on the brink of collapse, you hand the keys to the kingdom to the demographic most known for their stable, predictable behavior. The core mechanics of **Bliss Stage** are a bit like the love child of a narrative RPG and a therapy session, which isn't surprising given its influences and goals. The system is built around relationships, intimacy, and, well, a whole lot of dice rolling. This isn't your grandma's tabletop game, unless your grandma was into giant robots and emotional turmoil as gameplay mechanics. What's intriguing here is the simplicity yet depth of the dice mechanics that seem to simultaneously say, "Let's save humanity" and "Let's explore our feelings." The game's resolution system is designed to keep you immersed in a world that's one part apocalyptic battleground, one part emotional minefield【10†source】. **Editions and Availability** - If you're wondering about getting your hands on this unique piece of tabletop RPG artistry, **Bliss Stage** comes in two flavors: the original **Ignition Stage** and a PDF update known as **Interim Stage**, both from 2007. It seems the game has been somewhat of a collector's item, given its niche appeal and the fact that it was an Indie Game of the Year Runner Up and snagged the Most Innovative Game Runner Up in 2007, not to mention winning the Ogre's Choice for Best Roleplaying Game in 2008. So, if you're looking for a game that's got giant robots, alien invasions, and a deep dive into the emotional spectrum, you might have to hunt a bit. For those intrigued by the prospect of piloting giant robots powered by weaponized love while navigating the complexities of teenage relationships and existential dread, **Bliss Stage** might just be the game for you. Just be prepared for a game that's as much about battling inner demons as it is about fighting off an alien apocalypse. ## References - [Game Summary and Editions | RPGnet RPG Game Index](https://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=7985) - [**Bliss Stage** at TAO Games](https://www.tao-games.com/bliss-stage/) - [Buy **Bliss Stage** at Indie Press Revolution](https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Bliss-Stage-Interim-Stage-PDF.html) > [!quote] Neurothrope-00 ![[Neurothrope Avatar.png|100]] > [!note] Editor's Note > > I'm not even going to front. This game may have been the best convention pickup game I've ever run, bar none. The setup phase is pretty heavy and it would probably be far wiser to come to the table at a convention with pregenerated characters and relationships. But having gone through that, the players all knew what their characters wanted from each other – and why they weren't getting it. > > This game is literally the source of the trope *["Intimacy 5 is Sex"](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LevelUpAtIntimacy5)*, and it's well-earned. > > There's nothing quite like it. I just wish that it had been properly finished, even though the *Interim* version is completely playable. > > Go buy it.