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The Electric State RPG Review – A Mind-Bending Adventure Awaits!

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The Electric State RPG Tabletop Review: Step into the immersive world of The Electric State RPG, where surreal landscapes and deep storytelling collide in an unforgettable tabletop experience. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG player or just discovering the genre, this game offers a unique blend of mystery, strategy, and narrative depth that sets it apart. But is it worth adding to your collection? In this review, we break down the gameplay, mechanics, and overall experience to help you decide if The Electric State RPG is the next must-play title on your list.

The Electric State RPG Review Pros:

  • PDF download.
  • Stunning art by Simon Stålenhag, who did the original The Electric State art book.
  • The game uses Free League’s Year Zero Engine, known from award-winning games such as Mutant: Year Zero, Tales From the Loop RPG, ALIEN RPG, and the Blade Runner RPG.
  • All you need is the book (PDF), some paper, a pen, and at least 10 six-sided dice (D6) in two colors.
  • It’s a dark game about sacrifice, loss, fun, exploration, and many other things, so the game strongly suggests you discuss what topics are on and off the table to ensure everyone feels safe when playing.
  • The game takes place in the 90s, following a very different technological path.
  • You get Player One vibes mostly due to the Neurocasters which are like more advanced VR and how people can live in that world but the Neurocasters also allow you to have two versions of you, one with the headset on enjoying the VR world and another in a robot with your face doing tasks like working, cleaning etc.
  • Aside from the Neurocasters giving people the world, the freedom, and the interactions we have here now, the world of The Electric State is actually very isolated; there is no real socialising, everyone keeps to themselves, and has created little pockets of communities.
  • You are in North America, but the events listed above have reached the whole world.
  • The game is all about you and your friends going on a road trip across the map.
  • To play,y you just need a minimum of two players with one being the GM (Game master), but it’s recommended to have four to five players.
  • You get these awesome maps of the areas with names and points of interest filled in.
  • I am telling you again, the art in this book is amazing and worthy of hanging in your room.
  • The world, once you know the boundaries, really caters to us older gamers who can draw from our own memories of the 90s and use them.
  • You can actually play the game solo, there is a whole section dedicated to it with example scenarios.
  • It’s a game, it has set rules, but they act only as guidelines, and you can honestly do as you want and introduce what you want.
  • I really liked that the GM didn’t need to always have everything planned out; there is little in the way of needing to improvise, you can, of course, but it’s totally optional.
  • For me personally, I liked that I could make up a route to take with stops and have a few choice scenarios, and that was it, the players actually did it to the story just as much as the GM.
  • Structures of the scenarios and sessions can be broken down into a flow chart with a paragraph explaining any highlights, which means you can make up a load of cool stories and experiences in no time.

The Electric State RPG Review Cons:

  • Takes a lot of printer ink to get the app printed off!
  • Navigating the book easily and quickly all comes down to how good the app you are using is.
  • There is a lot to take in if you haven’t played any of the games using this game engine before.
  • It’s more of an FYI, but the game doesn’t specifically mention or reference the movie that’s on Netflix.
  • Younger players will annoy us older gamers as they constantly ask what’s a Walkman, what’s a cassette tape and other crap that will wind us right up.
  • I still found myself going out of the book and into forums as some of the rules were either not that clear or, more than ever, they were too open to interpretation.

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The Electric State RPG:

Official website.

Designer: Free League Publishing

Store Links – 

Drive Thru RPG.

Summary

The Electric State RPG is a tabletop role-playing experience that thrives on its hauntingly atmospheric setting and immersive storytelling. Inspired by Simon Stålenhag’s evocative artwork, the game brings players into an alternate 1990s America—a surreal, melancholic world where abandoned technology and eerie landscapes set the stage for deep narrative-driven adventures. From the moment players step into this world, they are met with an overwhelming sense of mystery, nostalgia, and impending change, making The Electric State RPG an experience unlike any other.

One of the most remarkable aspects of The Electric State RPG is its focus on collaborative storytelling. Instead of relying on rigid mechanics, the game encourages players to shape their own journey through choices and interactions, making each playthrough feel uniquely personal. The system is refreshingly flexible, allowing both seasoned RPG veterans and newcomers to dive in and craft unforgettable stories. The visual inspiration, drawn directly from Stålenhag’s haunting landscapes, reinforces the game’s themes of isolation and lost futures, transporting players into an emotionally charged setting where their decisions carry significant weight.

However, the Electric State RPG isn’t without its challenges. While the freedom of storytelling is a strength, it can also be daunting for players who prefer structured mechanics and clear-cut objectives. The loose framework relies heavily on player and game master improvisation, which might not suit those who enjoy detailed character progression or intricate combat systems. Additionally, the tone and themes of the game—exploring societal decay, nostalgia, and loss—may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for lighthearted adventures. That said, for those willing to embrace the unique atmosphere and narrative depth, these elements enhance the experience rather than hinder it.

In the end, The Electric State RPG is more than just a tabletop game—it’s an artistic, thought-provoking journey into a world that feels eerily familiar yet distinctly unsettling. Whether you’re exploring forgotten highways, encountering remnants of a lost civilization, or crafting poignant character arcs, the game offers a level of emotional engagement rarely found in the RPG genre. With its stunning visual inspiration, deep narrative potential, and open-ended storytelling, The Electric State RPG stands as a testament to what tabletop gaming can achieve when imagination takes center stage.

So, if you’re ready to step into a world of forgotten futures and eerie landscapes, The Electric State RPG is waiting—just don’t expect to return unchanged.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!