Exploring “A Grim World of Perilous Adventure”
Updated: Dec 22, 2024
I have been reading the rulebook for Alien: The Roleplaying Game with the intention of either running a game as the "Game Mother" or "Game MU/TH/UR" or joining a game as a player, either in person or online. The ruleset based on Free League Publishing's Year Zero Engine appears to be relatively simple and easy to understand. I am excited by the possibility of returning to the gaming table after decades away from the tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) hobby.
Frankly, the biggest challenge for me in returning to the gaming table, beyond finding time in my schedule as a result of being a professional truck driver, is picking a game to play. As I have mentioned in previous blog posts and other posts on social media, for a few years now I have been collecting TTRPG books, box sets, and accessories for a number of games set in a number of settings and in a number of genres. I hope that in time I will get around to playing all or most of these games. But to do that, I need to get started playing a single game. Rather than being paralyzed by the prospect of having too many choices, I decided to apply myself to learning the rules for Alien: The Roleplaying Game and running and/or playing in a few games. Given that the game and the film franchise has an enthusiastic fan base, I don't expect to have much difficulty in finding someone willing to join my game or allowing me to join their game. Sure, Dungeons & Dragons is pretty much the undisputed king and has a larger fan base than Alien: The Roleplaying Game, but the rules appear to be simpler and I want to explore the fictional universe of the film franchise's xenomorph.
Don't get it twisted. I plan to break out the Dungeons & Dragons rule books and the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit in time. My first experience with a TTRPG was an early version of the game. I have fond memories of exploring dungeons and battling lizardfolk and other creatures. The fantasy genre still appeals to me. Case in point is Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play 4th Edition. I have picked up a number of products for the setting, including the Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play 4th Edition Starter Set. Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play has been around for decades as well and appears to have its own enthusiastic fan base. The grimdark setting looks like it could be really fun to explore as long as it is being explored by my player character (PC) or non-player characters.(NPCs). Clearly it is a dangerous world where "heroes" will find themselves beset on all sides by a number of natural and unnatural hazards and pitfalls.
Below are links to a handful of video reviews or overviews on Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play 4th Edition, one review of a published adventure module, and a link to the publisher's website if you decide that you want to purchase the game. Honestly, it looks like it could be a fun game to play with your friends and/or family.
"Review: Warhammer Fantasy RPG 4th Edition"
Review: Warhammer Starter Set. Is it the DEADLIEST RPG of All Time?"
"Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Introduction To WFRP"
"Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay stands for gritty grimdark goodness ⚒️ RPG Review & Mechanics"
"Warhammer TTRPG Review: Enemy in Shadows (Ep.155)"
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP) "Welcome Back to the Old World!"
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