I've been working on a solo RPG project for a while now. The goal was to create something that balances freedom with structure - a game that gives players enough guidance to avoid getting stuck while still offering plenty of room for creativity.
The result is The Rogue Prototype, a solo roleplaying game about stealing a battle planetoid and upgrading it while evading the entire galaxy.
The Basic Concept
The game starts with you having already pulled off an impossible heist - stealing a 120-kilometer battle planetoid prototype from the Stellar Federation. But this "Death Star" equivalent is barely functional. The superlaser might explode in your face, the propulsion is painfully slow, and defenses are practically nonexistent.
Your mission is to transform this empty shell into the ultimate weapon through a series of adventures across the galaxy.
Simple Rules for Fast Play
The game uses streamlined mechanics based on four character states:
- Brutality - For direct, forceful approaches
- Stealth - For sneaking and hiding
- Cunning - For technical problems and clever solutions
- Charisma - For social situations and leadership
Actions are resolved with 2d6 + state + possible bonuses. The results determine success, complications, or failure. The "Sacrifice" option lets players avoid certain narrative complications by paying a much steeper price.
Upgrading Your Planetoid
The heart of the game is improving your stolen battle station across four systems:
- Combat - From defenseless to repelling cruisers
- Movement - From slow orbital adjustments to hyperspace travel
- Analysis - From basic scanners to galactic intelligence networks
- Resources - From emergency systems to advanced technology
Each improvement tells part of your story and opens up new gameplay possibilities. Your planetoid gradually evolves from a barely functional prototype to a feared superweapon.
Structured Adventures
To solve the common solo RPG problem of "what happens next?" the game provides a clear framework:
To achieve my [OBJECTIVE], I must do [ACTION] in [LOCATION] with [SOMEONE/SOMETHING].
The book includes extensive random tables for generating adventure locations, complications, NPCs, and equipment. This ensures each playthrough feels different while maintaining a coherent structure.
The game also includes a mechanic for "imposed adventures" that automatically trigger as your planetoid becomes more powerful and attracts more attention from the galaxy's factions.
Solo Play Tools
The game includes specific tools for solo players:
- Advice on embracing chaos and unexpected outcomes
- Techniques for using random tables as inspiration
- Methods for tracking the evolution of the universe around you
- Suggestions for maintaining narrative consistency across sessions
The ultimate goal - calibrating the superlaser to create the ultimate weapon - gradually unfolds across multiple adventures, providing a campaign-level objective.
Final Thoughts
The Rogue Prototype focuses on fast-paced, exciting adventures rather than long campaigns or deep character development. It's about making difficult choices, taking risks, and building your stolen planetoid into the most feared weapon in the galaxy.
If you're looking for a solo rpg that combines space opera themes with straightforward mechanics and a structured but flexible adventure framework, you might want to give this one a try.
#rpg solo #solo rpg #space opera #death star
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