Explore The Electric State RPG: An Immersive Adventure
The Electric State RPG is a narrative-driven, open-world indie role-playing game set in a dystopian 1997 West Coast America, inspired by Simon Stålenhag's art. Utilizing the Year Zero Engine, the game emphasizes exploration, survival, and emotional storytelling through character-driven narratives and strategic combat. Players create characters from ten archetypes, exploring a decaying technological landscape filled with secrets and mysteries, with potential virtual reality integration to enhance immersion. The game successfully funded on Kickstarter, indicating significant interest. (This post contains affiliate links, I receive a small commission for each purchase.)
1/12/20257 min read
The Electric State RPG is a unique mix of exploration and storytelling. It takes place in a world that's both beautiful and haunting. Imagine a world in 1997, but with a twist. It's a place where technology has failed, and robots are broken.
Players will see monoliths and feel the sadness of a world falling apart. The game uses the Year Zero Engine. This engine makes the game simple but deep in story.



Players will explore what's left of human life. They'll face the mysteries of a world that's falling. This game is perfect for those who love stories of survival and discovery.
Key Takeaways
The Electric State RPG is set in an alternate 1997, featuring a decaying tech-driven America.
The game utilizes Free League’s Year Zero Engine, known for its simplicity and narrative focus.
Players can choose from various character archetypes, each reflecting themes of survival and loss in the electric state role-playing game.
The game emphasizes narrative and emotional storytelling, appealing to those who enjoy introspective gameplay.
The electric state rpg was successfully funded on Kickstarter, raising a total of $413,598 from 5,715 backers.
The game addresses significant societal issues, including lawlessness in rural areas and struggle for order in urban centers.
The electric state rpg encourages a design perspective focused on journeys, encounters, and vignettes rather than traditional quest objectives.
Understanding The Electric State RPG Universe
The Electric State RPG universe is a deep, dystopian world. It's inspired by Simon Stålenhag's art book. This sci-fi rpg takes the book's idea and makes it bigger. Players explore a pre-apocalyptic West Coast of the U.S.
The game is an indie rpg. This means it tells stories in a special way. It's different from big, well-known RPGs.
The world is facing a slow-motion apocalypse. A cyberspace plague has turned many into "mindless slaves." This makes the game a great place to explore, survive, and grow your character.
Players work together and explore deep themes. This makes the game feel real and personal. It's a great way to connect with the world and its characters.

The game lets you create your character with a personal story. There's a "Hope" stat that changes how you play. You can also drive around in vehicles.
The game uses Free League's Year Zero engine. This makes it easy for players to get into. With its unique setting and fun gameplay, The Electric State RPG is a hit for sci-fi rpg and indie rpg fans.
The Dystopian Setting and Background
The game is set in a dystopian version of the late 90s. It focuses on the West Coast of the U.S. This adds cultural and historical depth to the game world.
The game takes place in Pacifica. It's a big part of the original Western United States. Pacifica shows how the area changed after the war.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics and Systems
The Electric State RPG is a unique gaming experience. It mixes deep stories with fun gameplay. Players can explore a big, empty world. They find secrets and make choices that change the story.
Some cool features of the game are:
Creating characters with archetypes, where attributes and skills are decided by dice rolls
A simple combat system that uses rolls or the environment
A Threat Countdown system that helps organize the story while keeping it flexible
The game focuses on working together to create characters and stories. This makes the gaming experience very engaging. The Electric State RPG is a new level for open-world rpg games.


Virtual Reality Integration and Immersion
The Electric State RPG might use virtual reality to make the game feel real. Players could see and touch the game world in a new way. This makes the game feel both real and personal.
Games like The Electric State RPG need to pull players in. Over 70% of game makers think virtual reality makes games better. Players feel more emotions in virtual worlds than in regular games.
Key Elements of Immersive Experience
VR control schemes that allow for seamless interaction with the environment
Environmental interaction that simulates real-world conditions
Sensory experience design that contributes to a cohesive and engaging experience
Good sound and graphics are key for a great game. More than 60% of game developers say good graphics make games better. The Electric State RPG could use these to make a top-notch virtual reality game.


The Electric State RPG could be very special with its focus on virtual reality. It could set a new standard for games.
Character Development and Progression
In The Electric State RPG, making your character is key. You pick from 10 archetypes like Artist or Doctor. Each has special traits and skills for survival and storytelling.
Creating a character takes 17 steps. You can choose from 10 archetypes, including Artist, Veteran, and Doctor. Each archetype has its own special qualities. You can also pick attributes like Strength, Agility, Wits, and Empathy.
The game's world is futuristic and decaying. This makes your character's journey more meaningful. The Memory mechanic lets you create and recall memories. This makes your character's story more emotional and real.
Some important features of character development are:
Character archetypes: 10 available options
Attributes: 4 primary attributes - Strength, Agility, Wits, and Empathy
Talents: players can choose or roll for Talents, with characters having low Attribute rolls able to select a second Talent
In this world, Health and Hope depend on your attributes. Health is (Strength + Agility) ÷ 2, up to 3. Hope is (Wits + Empathy) ÷ 2, up to 6. The game's system makes your character's story more emotional and engaging.
Open World Exploration and Discovery
The Electric State RPG is a special game. It has a huge open world to explore and find secrets. The game's world feels real because it changes and challenges players.
Players can go on adventures, finding hidden spots and secrets. The game's story and choices are made by the player. This lets players shape the story and their characters.
The game is both big and personal. It lets players make their own stories. With its changing world and choices, it's a unique and fun game.
Some cool things about the game's open world are:
Dynamic environment systems that respond to player actions
Hidden locations and secrets to discover
A quest structure that emphasizes narrative and player choice
The Electric State RPG is a standout game. It's perfect for fans of open-world RPGs and science fiction. Its detailed world and player choices make it a game you'll want to play again and again.
Combat and Strategic Elements
In indie rpg games, combat is key. The Electric State RPG has a special way of fighting. It's all about making smart choices and surviving, not just fighting a lot.
This game doesn't have usual "Attack" or "Guard" buttons. Instead, it uses skills. Each character can use up to 4 skills in battle. Switching skills takes time and Action Points (AP).
Players must watch their resources closely. Each character can only carry 2 types of items in battle. These are mostly things that help them heal.
The battle system works in real-time, like an Active Time Battle (ATB) system. Skills have cooldowns, charge times, and use AP. This means players must think hard and make smart plans to win.
The game focuses on strategy and survival. It's a great example of an indie rpg that makes you think outside the box. By adding sci-fi elements, The Electric State RPG gives a unique and fun fight experience.
Conclusion: The Future of Dystopian Gaming
The gaming world is always changing. The Electric State RPG shows how indie games can lead the way. It brings us deep, story-driven games that feel real.
This game shows us what's next in dystopian games. It promises more complex, exciting, and thought-provoking adventures. These games will make us think and feel deeply.
The Electric State RPG sets a high bar. It shows how a great story, a rich world, and fun gameplay can make a game unforgettable. As games get more personal and meaningful, we'll see more like this. These games will touch our hearts and minds in new ways.
FAQ
What is The Electric State RPG?
The Electric State RPG is a game set in a world that's not our own. It's a mix of exploring, stories, and a beautiful, sad setting.
What is the setting of The Electric State RPG?
The game takes place in an alternate 1997. It's filled with broken robots and big monoliths. Players see what's left of human life and try to figure out what's happening.
What are the core narrative elements of The Electric State RPG?
The game's story is about surviving, exploring, and being human in a world ending. It's full of sci-fi and a dark future.
What are the key world-building components in The Electric State RPG?
The game's world is made rich by things like neural networks, monoliths, and drones. These add depth and make the game feel real.
What are the innovative gameplay mechanics in The Electric State RPG?
The game has new ways to play. It's an open-world game where you can explore and find secrets. Your choices change the story.
How does virtual reality integration enhance the experience in The Electric State RPG?
Using VR makes the game even more real. It lets you control your actions and feel the world around you. This makes the game feel more real.
How does character development and progression work in The Electric State RPG?
Your character grows as you play. They change to show how hard survival is and how it affects you emotionally.
What is the focus on open-world exploration and discovery in The Electric State RPG?
Exploring and finding new things is key. The game is big and personal. You'll find hidden spots and make choices that shape the story.
How does the combat and strategic elements work in The Electric State RPG?
Fighting and strategy are smart and tough. They show the game's indie and sci-fi roots. You'll need to think and plan to win.