The steampunk movement has fascinated me subconsciously since I was a little kid, back then I used to watch Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Treasure Planet weekly without knowing that they both belong to the steampunk genre. Hell, back then I didn’t even know what the word genre meant and even less how to pronounce it.
My infatuation with the genre continued as I grew up and fell in love with Howl’s Moving Castle and the Sherlock Holmes movies. It didn’t stop there though, I was totally bound to the screen when playing Final Fantasy VI and Machinarium – Two games full of steampunk elements. With my growing interest in tabletop RPGs, you can only guess which genre I turned to.
Steampunk is a genre within the science fiction branch that focuses heavily on technology powered by steam, machinery from the industrial revolution, anachronism and futuristic technology depicted as our ancestors from the 1800s imagined it would look. Reappearing characteristics of the genre include Victorian-era environments and the architecture, fashion, and art that come with it.
We’ll take a closer look at some of the best steampunk pen and paper RPGs. I’ve written about the history of Steampunk down below for those who might be interested. If you wish to go directly to the list of games, scroll past the next section to find the list of tabletop RPGs.
History of Steampunk
The genre as we know it has grown long before it had a name. During the 19th century famous writers Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, H.G Wells, and Edward S. Ellis gave birth to stories that have become the inspirational foundation for the genre. The birth of steampunk can, therefore, be credited to their collective effort.
In “The Steam House” Jules Verne, one of the forefathers of steampunk, writes about British colonists and their travels. Their means of transportation is a huge steam-powered elephant, much like the steam-powered castle with the ability to walk in “Howl’s Moving Castle”.
The genre earned its name long after the death of its creators. It would take over a hundred years before it was acknowledged as steampunk.
The term was coined by K. W. Jeter during his attempt to categorize his own novel and the work of two other authors whose stories were set in a 19th century Victorian-era setting, Tim Powers and James Blaylock.
Well aware of the resemblance to the environment in older works by the aforementioned authors K.W decided to gather the works under a single term. In a letter written to Locus magazine, K.W Jeter wrote about Victorian fantasies being the next big thing making it worthy of its own term.
[blockquote cite=”K.W Jeter” type=”right”]”Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like “steam-punks,” perhaps….”.[/blockquote]
His letter was featured in the magazine back in 1987, raising the public awareness of the genre and its newly given name.
The Best Tabletop Steampunk RPGs
It doesn’t matter if you love over-the-top steampunk games or the ones who chose to display their steampunk elements with modesty, you’ll find something that appeals to you. When it comes to steampunk board games (Well, RPGs) I feel like I can say this without a doubt because every game is unique in its own way.
Space 1889
- Written by Frank Chadwick
- Published by Game Designers’ Workshop
- System: Custom
- Other: Ranked 20th on Arcane magazine’s list of top 50 role-playing games of all time.
This tabletop presents Victorian-era space travel and steampunk technology without being ‘too much’. Set in 1889 the game displays an alternate history in which Thomas Edison’s inventions made it possible for humankind to travel through space. Edison decided to leave earth to visit and explore Mars in 1870, his only company was a Scottish soldier known as Jack Armstrong.
Arriving on Mars they discovered that the planet was inhabited.
Several years later, in 1889, the solar system is being harvested for its resources and colonized by the greater nations on earth. The native Martians must face the dark parts of colonization – conquest, and exploitation.
The book is full of value and details. You get all the setting information you could ever need and then some, including NPCs/Monsters/Maps and incredible artwork decorating the pages throughout the book. This game runs on a system that is very easy to maneuver and teach.
If you expect a full-on steampunk setting then Space 1889 isn’t what you’re looking for but if you like steampunk elements being used with moderation, you’ve come to the right place.
You can get the game on Amazon, check it out here.
Etherscope
- Written by Goodman Games and Malladins Gate Press.
- Published by Goodman Games
- System: d20 using modern d20 rules
- Other: There are several supplements to the original for those who wish to continue the series.
The biggest discovery of the century was made by Harold Wallace in 1876 when he discovered Etherspace, making it possible for the British to harness the power of cosmic energy. With the use of ether as an energy source the Victorian technology developed at an alarming rate giving birth to never seen before creations.
Weapons became more powerful while steam engines became smaller and more efficient. The introduction of Etherspace had caused technology to advance faster than mankind could adapt.
Fast forward a couple of years to 1984. In a withering world driven by technology, conflicts have grown. Welcome Cybernaughts, human beings who have replaced their missing body parts with mechanical devices or interfaces, some of the more complex interface technologies allow the user to interact with Etherspace.
With this comes the rise of Scope Riders and System Agents, self-taught users who abuse their ability to interact with Etherspace for a variety of reasons. System Agents are violent and mysterious beings whose objectives and origin are speculated by others.
From over-the-top cybernautic implants to drug-like substances that offer their user the relief of escaping the mundane, this world has everything and more.
Etherscope is written with a lot of detail about setting and characters along with good guidance of campaigns, NPCs, and monsters. The system runs on the modern d20 system. Handed to you for just a couple of bucks this game is a steal for steampunk loving tabletop gamers. You can get it on Amazon.
Castle Falkenstein
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- Written by Mike Pondsmith
- Published by R. Talsorian Games
- System: Custom
- Other: Participants could pick one of the 29 character templates based on different occupations, or come up with their own idea, making the system very flexible.
Castle Falkenstein, known to some as CF, received an award for the best roleplaying rules 1994 and best roleplaying product 1995. The game then ranked as the 45th best role-playing game of all time in Arcane magazines reader poll in 1996.
The alternate universe of Castle Falkenstein offers elements of high fantasy and steampunk – some will say that Gaslight Fantasy is a better way to describe the genre.
The game itself presents a world not too much unlike the one you and I live in. The world of New Europa does differ in a couple of ways, one of the major being that Faeries coexist with humans on this planet outside of our universe.
The existence of Faeries is however not the only thing on New Europa that separates the planet from our own, mythological monsters, legendary beasts, and characters that are, on planet Earth, seen as fictional walk the face of the new world.
In Castle Falkenstein, the people of New Europa have learned how to use magic (called Magick in-game) launching the advancement of an industrial revolution.
Players will witness the strangeness of this world with the help of Tom Olam, a character from planet earth who was kidnapped by a Wizard and a Faerie Lord, while in captivity he somehow ends up playing a central role in an ongoing struggle to control the universe.
Tom hopes to return to planet earth but dark forces on New Europa have set out to break him. In an attempt to leave New Europa Tom will learn the meaning of fear, love, and courage.
Tom will provide guidance throughout the game, showing players examples of how to do when creating their character but also helping the participant figure out how to play their character.
In Castle Falkenstein, the action is simulated by playing cards instead of dice and players are to keep a diary of their character instead of using a character sheet. The system is easy to maneuver without sacrificing any utility – making it a perfect fit or beginners and experts.
This game offers one of the best experiences I’ve had with tabletop roleplaying games. You get 221 pages of high-quality content. Here’s a link to the game on Amazon.
Cyberpunk 2020
- Written by Mike Pondsmith
- Published by R. Talsorian Games
- System: The combat system Cyberpunk 2020 hosts is known as “Friday Night Firefight”
- Other: Another hit by Mike Pondsmith who produced Castle Falkenstein.
Text from their website:
“Cyberpunk: the original roleplaying game of the dark future; a world of corporate assassins, heavy-metal heroes and brain burning cyberhackers, packed with cutting-edge technology and intense urban action. Within this book, you’ll find everything you need to tackle the mean streets of the 2000s — in a game system that combines the best in realistic action and playability.”
If you ask me this is one of the best tabletop RPGs of all time, it’s also one of the most popular tabletop RPGs.
The second edition of this pen and paper RPG, “The Classic Role-Playing Game of the Dark Future” is worthy of its own time but we’ll focus ours on Cyberpunk 2020 right now.
Set in a city located between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the year 2020, the game depicts a city struck by economic collapse. The United States becomes dependant on its mega corporations to survive the crisis, causing the corporations to abuse the government’s dire need for help by demanding their right to further expand and operate the companies as they want.
The growth of the MegaCorps and their new influence on the government has led to brute force. MegaCorp stations cyborg assassins throughout the city in an attempt to rule by fear while Boostergangs crawl the city for new victims and valuables to pillage.
In a city full of advanced techno-assassins, evil corporates and cyberhackers, you’re the hope of a dark future.
Starting out, the game offers the possibility of playing 10 different roles, each of them possess one unique ability. Rockerboy (Leadership), Solo (Combat), Netrunner (Interface), Techie (Jury Rig), Medtech (Medical Tech), Media (Credibility), Cop (Authority), Corporate (Resources), Fixer (Steeldeal) and Nomad (Family).
When Mike Pondsmith wrote this book he did it with detail, leaving nothing behind. The dystopian side of an electric society is pictured with finesse in Cyberpunk 2020.
Here’s the game on Drivethrurpg.com
Atomic Highway
- Written by Colin Chapman
- Published by Gallan Knight Games
- System: The V6 Engine
- Other: Would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Mad Max movies.
Another steampunk pen and paper RPG that comes to mind is Atomic Highway. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the world where we follow the descendants of the few survivors as they face the challenges of a world in ruin. The shortage of resources leads to conflicts between desperate survivors.
The book was written with ease, making it possible for everyone to absorb the information and quickly get to playing. The system itself delivers a capturing plot for the players who then control the action themselves.
The book lists and explains character creation, background, and objectives, an overlook of the environment, different types of enemies, loot, gear, and vehicles. Atomic Highway explains things with a pinch of humor that will force a smile on your face reading through it.
Gather your friends and get ready for a night of fun! You can find the game on Amazon.
Mutant Chronicles
- Written by Target Games AB
- Published by Target Games
- System: For the 3rd edition they created a d20 based cinematic game system.
- Other: Mutant Chronicles has spawned several spin-offs over the years.
Mutant Chronicles is a post-apocalyptic tabletop role-playing game by Target Games.
The game is set in a post-apoc world where planet Earth has too little to offer the MegaCorps so they take to the skies to find more ground to imperialize. After working their way through the inner solar system they decide to go further – to the ninth planet called Nero.
Arriving on Nero the corporations sense something strange in the atmosphere. At first sight, they spot a cathedral that they decide to search. By entering the cathedral they happen to break “The First Rule of Repulsion” and by doing so they awaken the Cosmic Horror and the Dark Legion – leading to brutal consequences for mankind.
The world is now facing the end for a second time. The corporations try to stop the Dark Legion from invading but fail miserably. In desperation, a church militia called the Brotherhood spawn to help the corporations battle the Legion.
Sporting a truly amazing and captivating setting in combination with a well-balanced system, Mutant Chronicles delivers a great experience full of art, adventure, and amusement.
Wolsung: Steam Pulp Fantasy
- Written by Artur Ganszyniec
- Published by Studio 2 Publishing
- System: Custom
- Other: One of the most popular RPGs from Poland, now translated to English.
This pen and paper RPG is set in the 19th century during the magical-industrial revolution. Wolsung paints an image of a world where steam-powered vehicles dominate the streets while airships have taken over the sky – but there’s still much to explore, those who can travel beyond the comfort of the cities in search of treasures and mysteries will, depending on their survival, find them.
With the birth of machinery came creatures unknown to man. The combination of science and magic spawned galvanized dragons and gigantic golems who roam the world.
The game throws you into adventures with a mix of cinematic action and curiosity. Players will travel the world of Wolsung, a world that resembles our own world in many ways – looking at a map of Wolsung it’s very much like a map of planet Earth.
Your journeys through Wolsung will show you otherwise. There are a bunch of twists to the things you have grown to know about the earth, some presented in a rather humorous manner.
Each part of the world has an adventure sketch in the rulebook, these will get you on your way. Some nations will have more than one sketch but every nation has at least one.
Wolsung: Steam Pulp Fantasy solves a conflict in two ways, by the use of dice or playing cards. Rolling a number of dice is the primary way of doing it. The system runs on d10 and is easy to understand.
I would like to add that Wolsung does have a bit of a shortage of information about the world, the introduction of it doesn’t really give me everything I want when playing a tabletop RPG.
I’m sure there’s more to find online but for someone who loves the stories and the setting more than anything else, that was kind of an issue for me. Other than that I liked it a lot. Give it a try – here’s the listing on Amazon.
Iron Kingdoms
- Written by Privateer Press
- Published by Privateer Press
- System: The originally used d20 but later versions use d6
- Other: Originally published in 2004, re-released in 2012, and contains 359 pages worth of content.
From the publisher’s website:
“The Iron Kingdoms possess a rich history—and a tumultuous future—full of unique monsters, deities, heroes, and villains. Immerse yourself in the detailed world of gritty conflict and sorcery with the Iron Kingdoms RPG. Unleash the power of mechanika, the fusion of magic and machine. Take on the persona of unique character classes, like the gun mage who combines powerful magic with a deadly acumen for firearms or the steamjack-commanding warcaster. Travel through a fantastic world that takes classic fantasy concepts and gives them a new twist with a high-octane rush of steam power and industrial engineering.”
The setting of Iron Kingdom combines elements of steampunk and fantasy, creating a subgenre that Privateer Press themselves have given the name “Full Metal Fantasy”. The description of the setting and its backstory is well written and thorough, devoting the first 103 pages of the book to it. The text is accompanied by incredible art direction and gorgeous illustrations.
The subsequent section of the book is character creation. The way you create your character in Iron Kingdoms may raise an eyebrow or two but all in all, it’s an easy procedure to explain to newcomers.
The system for character creation may seem limited at first, however, digging deeper you’ll find fewer restrictions – making space for your creativity. You start by picking two careers out of 25, meaning you have a ton of different combos to go with.
This game offered great setting, easy to understand systems, interesting character creation, good storytelling, smooth combat flow and a sturdy set of rules. I had a great time playing Iron Kingdoms and I’m sure we’ll assemble the group to go at it again soon. They’ve got it on Amazon, both new and used versions that include everything you need to run a campaign straight away.
Tephra: The Steampunk RPG
- Written by Daniel Burrow
- Published by Parlor, LLC.
- System: Clockwork System – It uses only one die, a d12.
- Other: The game raised 22,821$ through kickstarter, crushing their initial goal of 1000$. The game was then nominated for “The Best Steampunk RPG or LARP” followed by Daniel Burrow, the creator of the game – receiving an award for “Best Steampunk Game Creator”
From the publisher’s website:
“Tephra is the award-winning steampunk roleplaying game that has caused a global addiction. This game was designed for manic high-flying combat, astonishing crafted gizmos, weapons, and automatons, and includes a fast and class-free character creation system. Using only a d12, Tephra is easy to pick up but robust enough to keep people engaged for years. Our Playing Guide alone is enough to keep you and your adventuring party entertained for a hundred days and nights!”
The game is set on a distant planet called Tephra, on Tephra you may face humans, elves, gnomes and many other creatures who have undergone scientific experiments.
The steampunk elements in Tephra take many different forms with some of the more obvious ones being machinery such as weapons and vehicles. Nevertheless, the aesthetics of a Victorian world are pictured regularly throughout the game.
The sprint-like advancement of science has invaded the world with no sign of stagnation. Embracing science has in ways, backfired. The population of Tephra has found ways to use science to enhance their physical capabilities, making them powerful.
Like any other reality ruled by greed, the benefit of these powers aren’t offered to everyone, instead, some cities keep growing while others are decaying under the toxins of radiation.
The people of Paldorus, a city now in ruins, are without a home and depend on their airships to survive. The abuse of technology and science has created a world with little faith in store for those who are left outside. It’s up to you to decide, will you embrace the powers that be or change the world? Get Tephra on Amazon.
I’ve tried to create a list of the best tabletop RPGs with steampunk elements, how hardcore they are – varies from game to game – some of them have embraced the steampunk genre entirely while others are influenced by it but choose to use it with care when creating the setting.
Feel free to share the list or comment if you wish to highlight the absence of a game. I’m only human, I’ve got games left to try – please inform me of whatever treasures you’re hiding. Thank you for reading!