The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game

by Nils Hintze

The Walking Dead has always been about characters facing impossible choices in an unforgiving world. With this game, you enter into the world of the dead and must face these choices head on. You can do this at any point in the timeline – encountering familiar faces and locations, or new ones – but the hardest choice will always be the same: Who are you going to be?

We have seen many stories set in The Walking Dead Universe – now it’s time to see yours.

In the official The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game, you will play as people struggling to survive in a hostile world. Exceptional challenges can appear from anywhere – from the lack of essential supplies, from conflicts brewing within the group, from hidden construction flaws in your safe haven, or from approaching walkers hungering for your flesh.

In the game, the player characters must not only hone their physical skills, but deeply explore who they truly are – what drives them to go on, what they consider worth fighting for, and what they’re capable of doing, in the best and worst of times. Expect the stress and stakes to be high. The rules are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, pushing the boundaries of the survival genre and making sure that every group can tailor the gaming experience to suit their own interests and play style.

Genres: Role Playing Games

172 pages, Hardcover

Published November 17, 2023

Reviews

[Paul Baldowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfyingly brutal rendition of Free League's Year Zero Engine role-playing game system. While the core business remains to roll a 6 on a pool of 6-sided dice to achieve success, the ubiquitous presence of the Dead threatens stress and the possibility of making fatal mistakes.

Avoiding the Dead is a challenge that has no shades of grey—succeed or face the possibility that the Dead will rip you apart. They don't attack, but roll their damage as a D66 table outcome. Anything 61 or greater is character ending, with lower levels representing damage with the lingering possibility of injury and death.

The book handles character archetypes, game mechanics, combat, the Dead, building your haven and community, and even playing solo. The game includes a sample adventure.

The overall package fits the theme perfectly. Not necessarily the perfect game, but a solid and enjoyable reflection of the genre.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un juego de rol de lectura rápida y muy cómoda. Cómo siempre, los libros ilustrados por Free League tienen una maquetación muy chula.
Utiliza el mismo sistema que juegos como Alien, pero creo que está bastante más pulido para ofrecer una mejor experiencia.
Consigue ofrecer una ambientación bastante completa e interesante para que des rienda suelta a campañas de supervivencia pura.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I've sleep 4'5*

Another Year Zero Engine variant. Another excellent adaptation to the setting.

Better felt once I've stopped thinking "this could be done with T2k4 section so and so" :-D