Pubblicato il 8/11/2025
The best post apocalyptic RPGs: from the community to our Pripyat World
The appeal of post apocalypse in role-playing games never fades. A recent Reddit thread sparked debate about the best post apocalyptic RPGs available, gathering feedback from hundreds of experienced players. From this discussion emerge must play titles and valuable insights for those seeking a “life after the end” setting.
Classics according to the community
Apocalypse World continues to top preferences, offering a powerful and flexible narrative system that centers on character driven stories. Its influence on the Powered by the Apocalypse movement makes it an unmissable benchmark.
Mutant Year Zero and its spin offs (Mutant: Genlab Alpha, Mutant: Mechatron) present a Scandinavian vision of the apocalypse, with mechanics that balance survival and community building. The Year Zero system is elegant and allows for strategic resource management.
Twilight 2000, in its latest edition, brings military realism back in a world devastated by nuclear war. Perfect for those seeking tactical simulation and a grim atmosphere.
Hidden gems
Ashes Without Number brings Kevin Crawford’s OSR system into the post apocalypse, offering outstanding tools for sandbox creation and campaign management. Perfect for GMs who like detailed preparation and plenty of freedom.
Salvage Union stands out for its use of mechs in a world of wreckage and ruins. Its focus on machine customization and cooperation makes it unique.
Legacy: Life Among the Ruins adopts a generational perspective: players guide entire factions through centuries of rebuilding, alternating epic moments with personal stories.
Alternative proposals
Other noteworthy titles include:
Atomic Highway: pulp action inspired by Mad Max
Tribe 8: dark post apocalyptic fantasy with demons and tribes
Extinction Punk: weird and experimental tones
Inflorenza and Rubble and Ruin: narrative and indie approaches
Wasteland Degenerates: transgression and satire
Mutant Epoch: OSR crunch with loads of random tables
After the War: minimalism and emotional focus
Dawn of Pripyat: dawn in the zone
Dawn of Pripyat represents our vision of post apocalypse inspired by the Chernobyl Zone. This RPG brings players into a world where radioactive anomalies, mutations, and mysterious artefacts shape the daily lives of Stalkers.
Unlike more mainstream titles, Dawn of Pripyat focuses on:
Methodical exploration: each area hides invisible dangers and unique treasures
Equipment management: detectors, Geiger counters, and artefacts are essential for survival
Warring factions: military, scientists, free Stalkers, and cultists vie for control of the Zone
Oppressive atmosphere: the system emphasizes psychological tension and environmental horror
The mechanics favor risky decisions and permanent consequences, making each expedition into the Zone a memorable, often fatal, experience.
Borg of Pripyat: in the apocalypse
For those seeking something radically different, Borg of Pripyat takes elements from Dawn of Pripyat and pushes them towards transhumanism and body horror.
In Borg of Pripyat, the Zone is not just a radioactive place, but an almost sentient entity that transforms those who venture too deep. Players portray individuals who have embraced (or suffered) cybernetic and biomechanical modifications to survive.
Key features:
Corruption system: each enhancement erodes the character’s humanity
Symbiosis with artefacts: anomalous objects can be integrated into the body
Physical evolution: mutations and implants create visually/mechanically unique characters
Philosophical themes: identity, consciousness, and the price of power are front and center
Compared to Mutant Year Zero or Gamma World, Borg of Pripyat offers a more claustrophobic and weird experience, blurring the line between human and monstrous.
Which one to choose?
The choice depends on the type of experience you seek:
For collaborative narrative: Apocalypse World or Legacy
For sandbox and exploration: Ashes Without Number
For military tactics: Twilight 2000
For weird/horror atmosphere: Dawn of Pripyat
For transhuman/body horror: Borg of Pripyat
For pulp action: Atomic Highway or Salvage Union
Each title brings something unique to the table. The post apocalyptic RPG community is vast and passionate, with resources and advice available for every system. Whether you are a veteran or a new explorer of the wastelands, there is a perfect RPG for your vision of the end of the world.
What are your experiences with these games? Which apocalypse do you prefer to explore at your table?
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