Alien: The Roleplaying Game is a science fiction horror role-playing game based on the Alien films. It was first released in December 2019 (reviewed here) to critical acclaim, winning the 2020 Gold ENNIE Award for Best Game, then the 2024 Gold ENNIE Award for Best Supplement for the Building Better Worlds sourcebook.
Although many roleplaying games had tried replicate the tension of the Alien films, none had quite managed to achieve it like Alien: The Roleplaying Game. The rules-light system evokes the intensity of the films, with the minimum of dice rolling. A key element are the stress dice, the number of which increase in line with the stress levels of the characters.
Earlier this year, Free League announced that a new version (called the Evolved Edition) of their Alien Roleplaying Game would be released. Designer and Free League co-founder Tomas Härenstam led the development of Alien: The Roleplaying Game – Evolved Edition, revising the current mechanics, as well as introducing rules for life paths, zero gravity, using miniatures and solo play.
Following the launch of the kickstarter for Alien: The roleplaying Game Evolved Edition, Tomas sat down with Geek Pride to talk about Alien, roleplaying and why now was the right time to revise such an acclaimed game.
Why has roleplaying become so popular recently?
Great question! I’m not sure, but I think in this digital age there is still a desire for a more direct analogue experience, creating a story together with your friends – even though there are both great digital tools and solo modes for RPGs now.
It has been just over five years since Alien: The Roleplaying Game was first released, why does it need a new edition?
We have learned a lot since the first edition was released, and received lots of great feedback from the community. The list of minor tweaks and small improvements that we wanted to make kept growing until the point where we felt the time was right for a revised edition – not a complete overhaul, but rather an evolved improvement on the original.
Alien can switch between scenes of intense horror and thrilling action, but how does Alien: The Roleplaying Game incorporate these almost conflicting moods?
Yes, those moods can sometimes be in conflict, and we have tried to balance them even better in the Evolved edition. Gear plays a big part here – armed with a pulse rifle, you’ll be able to dispatch several Xenomorphs – just don’t let them get too close! Unarmed, or equipped with just basic tools, you’ll learn that even a single Xenomorph can be a deadly threat.
What, for you, is the essential ingredient for running a successful session of Alien: The Roleplaying Game?
Apart from the game itself of course, the best thing to bring is a sense of adventure and being able to enjoy the horror. The death of your own character can be lots of fun, even the high point of the game sometimes!
What were the biggest challenges in developing the new edition and how did you overcome them?
Of course, we needed to be careful not to try to fix something that didn’t need fixing – it’s a fine balance to make sure we are improving the game. I think and hope we succeeded! Also adding the locations and gear from the Alien: Romulus film was a challenge, to make sure we got everything right, but it was lots of fun.
What is the biggest change in this new edition of Alien: The Roleplaying Game
It depends on the players I guess, but I really think the improved and expanded stealth mode will be a lot of fun to play, and a great addition. The revised stress and panic rules will hopefully also mean a better experience at the table. And, of course, for a solo player, the solo mode will be the biggest benefit!
How will you maintain roleplaying’s ‘theatre of the mind’ with the focus on miniatures?
The game is designed to support both styles of play. For example, the new expanded stealth mode can be played using miniatures or tokens on a map, but it can be played in the theater of mind as well. The game mechanics are very easy to adapt to different styles of play.
Will players be able to translate previous scenarios and sourcebooks to use with the new edition?
The new core book will have an appendix that explains how to use the previous adventures and campaign books with the updated rules. It’s only a matter of minor tweaks.
How will the new edition incorporate the film Alien: Romulus and the TV series Alien: Earth?
From Romulus, we’re adding a meaty campaign section about the Jackson’s Star colony, using Col Price’s amazing concept art for the film to create a map of the colony and a text description of it, by Paul Elliott. Also, John R. Mullaney did a fantastic job researching and recreating the new pulse rifle and the Corbelan spaceship featured in the film. Alien: Earth will not be incorporated in the new core rulebook, but we hope to explore it in future expansions.
What expansions do you have planned for the new edition of Alien: The Roleplaying Game?
The Rapture Protocol cinematic adventure will be released alongside the new core book, and a new starter set and miniatures set. Beyond that, we plan a sequel to Rapture Protocol, and campaign book for space truckers.
Thank you very much, Tomas.
Alien: The Roleplaying Game Evolved Edition is currently live on Kickstarter and can be backed here until 17th April.
