If you’re a fan of the science fiction genre, Blade Runner (1982) is likely among the favorites for many. Directed by Sir Ridley Scott and adapted from the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick, the film undeniably holds a significant place in cinematic history.
Free League, in collaboration with Alcon Entertainment, developed an RPG system for Blade Runner last year. I am pleased to say that this system is not just a product created to capitalize on the brand name; it is a game crafted with genuine love by true Blade Runner enthusiasts. Even as you glance through the rulebook, you encounter numerous references to the film.
Blade Runner RPG focuses on becoming a detective in the dark and wet streets of Los Angeles in 2037. Whether you choose to be a replicant or a human, you will find yourself grappling with ethical contradictions and delving into deep thoughts as you investigate cases presented by the Game Master. Especially with the Electric Dreams case file with the Starter Set, players are thrown into an amazing adventure that forces them to make tough decisions at the outset. We will delve into Electric Dreams in more detail later in the article. But first, let’s talk a bit about the Core Rulebook.
Core Rulebook
The book is rich in material for the Game Master, filled with dozens of recommendations and examples for creating your own case files. The Core Rulebook is likely the most detailed guide to the Blade Runner universe up to the year 2037. Within its pages, you can access a wealth of useful information, ranging from significant historical events to detailed descriptions of sectors in the city. If you plan to embark on a long-lasting adventure, this book will prove extremely valuable.
True to the quality we’ve come to expect from Free League, the book is packed with detailed tables that can aid gameplay. From random situations that the Game Master can introduce during a chase sequence to things players might encounter during downtime, the book is equipped with various tables.
Another aspect that personally appealed to me is the book’s introduction of 7 different archetypes. You can choose the character you want to play from among these archetypes or let the dice decide for you.
The Core Rulebook also meticulously explains what the Game Master should pay attention to when running a case, detailing the things to be mindful of in the world, and providing guidance on how players should conduct their investigations. Thanks to this book, you can even access the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) rank system. It covers scenes that the Game Master needs to orchestrate, the sociological structure of the Blade Runner universe, and the general order of society, among many other details.
The hardcover and high-quality printing of the book, along with the illustrations that greet us on its pages, deserve a special mention. The Blade Runner RPG Core Rulebook stands out among my current collection as something I am particularly pleased to have. I truly adore the printing quality and the design on the black pages. Martin Grip has captured the wet streets of Los Angeles, illuminated only by neon lights, in a way that truly evokes admiration. With just a single glance at the illustrations and the overall design of the book, you get a sense of the theme of the world and the adventure you are about to embark on.
In short, have no doubt that the Core Rulebook will more than satisfy you.
System
Blade Runner RPG utilizes the Year Zero Engine (YZE) system. For those unfamiliar, it entails having four core attribute values and related skills. These values range from A to D. A represents a 12-sided die, while D represents a 6-sided die. For example, let’s say your character has Strength and Force both rated as B. When performing an action related to these attributes and needing to roll dice, you roll two 10-sided dice.
Determining success is based on a straightforward system. Rolls between 6 and 9 on the dice represent 1 success, while rolls between 10 and 12 represent 2 successes. Achieving additional successes can result in various rewards based on the action performed. The Core Rulebook provides the Game Master with excellent advice on potential rewards for extra success in many actions.
In the event of a failed roll or the desire to achieve more success, the game allows you to reroll the dice. However, this comes with certain risks. Even if you obtain a worse result than the initial roll, you must use the rerolled dice. Additionally, for every critical failure (rolling a 1) on the rerolled dice, you incur stress or health damage.
Shift
One aspect I particularly enjoy in Blade Runner RPG, both as a player and a Game Master, is the time constraint imposed while solving a case, dividing our time into specific time slots throughout the day. The game divides a day into four shifts, allowing you to focus on a single investigative task during each shift, such as investigating a crime scene, interrogating someone, or performing an autopsy. Additionally, you must take a break once every four shifts, or else your character incurs stress damage.
As you progress in solving the case in this manner, each shift brings about changes in the investigation. For example, if you’re hunting a serial killer, a new murder may occur, or the individuals who assigned you the case may request a report on your progress.
Another element that I find appealing and sets Blade Runner RPG apart from other systems is the system’s demand for player separation. The book encourages you to separate your players from the very beginning and have them role-play individual scenes. In this game where time constantly progresses and even a single shift can have significant consequences, it’s fascinating to have each player investigate different aspects of the case. Players can also stay in communication with each other, even if they are in different scenes, thanks to the radio-like Knowledge Integration Assistant (KIA). One player may be interrogating a suspect while another is examining the crime scene, sharing acquired information to aid each other.
These sequences enrich Blade Runner RPG, allowing for diverse moments at the table.
Players feel like real detectives, working together to solve the case quickly and accurately, distributing tasks and solving problems collaboratively. As a Game Master, this dynamic brings me great satisfaction. The players’ pre-planning and decision-making about who goes where and the continual communication through KIAs provide an indescribable sense of enjoyment.
Chase
One of the aspects that contributed significantly to the game earning a perfect score from me is the Chase sections. As you know, one of the film’s most iconic scenes is Deckard’s pursuit of Zhora. This system, which I believe is inspired by that scene, can create incredibly enjoyable moments at the table. In this part, where players are both hunters and prey, they simultaneously place cards representing the moves they will make as both the pursuer and the pursued. The Game Master then draws a card to represent obstacles or advantages that may arise during the chase. Subsequently, cards are revealed, dice are rolled, and the Game Master begins narrating the scene, describing the unfolding events. Personally, I would love to see similar chase mechanics more frequently in other game systems.
Mechanics like these, directly inspired by the film, serve as evidence of the meticulous and passionate effort put into the game. They have found a fun and beautiful way to incorporate a scene from the film into the mechanics of the game by contemplating how to translate a cinematic chase into a tabletop experience.
There are many other elements from the film and the universe that they have added to the game’s system. For example, if you are a Replicant and engage in erratic actions, you may be subjected to a special humanity test. Or the direct nod to Philip Kindred Dick with the PKD Blaster.
Starter Set
The Blade Runner RPG Starter Set offers a rich and high-quality content. It includes a Condensed Rulebook containing the fundamental rules of the game, the Electric Dreams case file, maps necessary for the case file, evidence, NPC pictures, pre-made characters, and a specially designed dice set for Blade Runner RPG. All of these come in a beautifully crafted box that you can proudly display on your shelf.
Within the Starter Set, you’ll also find initiative cards, chase maneuver cards, and cards depicting various situations the Game Master can introduce for different types of chase sequences—tools that you can use in your own created games. It’s worth noting the top-notch quality of the paper and printing used in the production of these cards. As someone who has played many card and board games, I can attest that the cards are truly of exceptional quality. In fact, I put them in protective sleeves to ensure they don’t wear out or get damaged in case of an accident.
Here is a detailed list of everything included in the Starter Set:
- A 80-page condensed rulebook.
- A 56-page booklet with a full-length Case File for Blade Runners to crack.
- Four pre-generated characters to play.
- A huge full color map of Los Angeles in 2037.
- 26 full-color evidence handouts for the players, including crime scene photos, data files, documents, maps, and more.
- A custom manila envelope for the players to keep their evidence in.
- A Time Tracker Sheet.
- 70 high quality custom cards for non-player characters, chase maneuvers and obstacles, and initiative in combat.
- Eight engraved, transparent custom dice – two each of D6, D8, D10 and D12.
Electric Dreams
Firstly, let’s note that there are spoilers in this section regarding the case file Electric Dreams, which comes with the Starter Set.
Electric Dreams is a case file designed for beginners and can be played with 1-4 players. It is filled with scenes where you can learn the rules of Blade Runner RPG. The adventure typically lasts around 8-9 hours with 3 players, but this can vary depending on the Game Master and the speed at which players solve the case.
In addition to providing detailed explanations of the scenes and NPCs in Electric Dreams, the Game Master is given the freedom to reinterpret them using their imagination.
The game starts with a sequence reminiscent of a scene from the film, quoting it in a delightful manner. After all players gather in Sheriff Holden’s office, Holden begins to brief them on the case. The incident revolves around a Blade Runner named Leah and her partner Sandor. Sandor was mysteriously shot and killed last night while with Leah, who has since gone missing.
The company that created Leah wants to prevent this incident from becoming public and is eager to locate Leah as soon as possible. In the final moments of the game, players confront a shocking truth: Sandor was shot by his partner, Leah. However, there are debatable reasons behind her actions. Painful memories were implanted in Leah’s mind to make her obedient, including the brutal murder of her daughter right in front of her. Leah insists that these memories are real and that the pain she feels is entirely genuine. Therefore, she seeks revenge against the person who designed these memories, Eldon Tyrell’s niece, Lilith Tyrell.
Sandor, that night, identified some Nexus-8 model Replicants who had assisted Leah and wanted to attack them. Leah had to shoot her partner.
Throughout the case, players will meet with Nexus-8 Replicants who aided Leah, possibly engaging in conflict. They will also have the opportunity to confront Tyrell’s niece and decide whether to allow Leah to seek revenge or prevent her from doing so.
Regardless of the outcome, this case file involves numerous ethical conflicts that couldn’t be covered in this summary.
Upcoming Blade Runner Books
Fortunately, Free League does not intend to abandon this universe with just one case file.
In the early months of the next year, they will release a new case file named “Fiery Angels” and then a book titled “Replicant Rebellion,” allowing us to join the ranks of underground rebellious Replicants. You can currently pre-order Fiery Angels and instantly access the PDF version. We already anticipate that we will provide a dedicated review for this case file when the game is released.
Final Words
Blade Runner RPG’s decision to keep the combat system rather straightforward and focus on detective work and areas where players can truly role-play was enough to make it one of my favorites. The game, crafted with a love and respect for the Blade Runner universe, is something I believe every science fiction enthusiast should try.
If you are new to this genre, Blade Runner will embrace you and effortlessly immerse you in its world. It can be a good choice for players who are just starting with this type of game.
However, if you are the Game Master, you need to read the book thoroughly to truly master the game world, especially if you plan to run a long-term, self-designed case file. Before facing your players at the table, it’s essential to explore every corner of the streets of Los Angeles with the guidance of the book. However, if you only want to run Electric Dreams, then the Starter Set will more than suffice.
We wish you all the best of luck on the streets of Los Angeles and extend our thanks to the Free League team for bringing us such a beautiful game.
