An Exciting Introduction to Tales from The Loop Tabletop RPG

Tales from the Loop is a captivating tabletop RPG that takes inspiration from the artwork of Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Immerse yourself in the world of 1980s suburbia, where strange machines and beasts roam the streets. This science fiction RPG offers a unique storytelling experience, blending mystery-solving adventures with a retro-futuristic setting.

Step into a world reminiscent of E.T. and Stranger Things as you embark on thrilling adventures in Tales from the Loop. Explore the mysteries of the Loop, a series of particle accelerators that have unleashed advanced technology and strange phenomena. It’s a game that will transport you to a time when imagination and wonder had no limits.

Key Takeaways:

• Tales from the Loop is a tabletop RPG with a science fiction theme.
• The game is set in a retro-futuristic world inspired by the artwork of Simon Stålenhag.
• Players take on the role of characters exploring 1980s suburbia filled with strange machines and beasts.
• The game offers a narrative-driven gameplay experience, combining mystery-solving and adventure.
• Immerse yourself in a world reminiscent of E.T. and Stranger Things, filled with captivating stories and retro-futuristic wonders.

Game Contents and Settings

The Tales from the Loop RPG core book is packed with everything you need to embark on an immersive tabletop adventure. Alongside the core book, you’ll also receive the Our Friends the Machines hardcover mystery compendium, a deluxe GM Screen, and a full-color map of the Mälaren Islands and Boulder City, the two main game settings.

In the Mälaren Islands setting, players will explore the picturesque Swedish archipelago, where the Loop’s particle accelerator is located. This setting is filled with charming suburbs, dense forests, and a sense of mystery. In contrast, the Boulder City setting takes you to the heart of the Nevada desert, where the Loop’s American counterpart resides. Here, players will discover the secrets hidden within the vast wilderness and the enigmatic structures of the Loop.

Game Contents	Main Game Settings
Tales from the Loop RPG core book	Mälaren Islands
Our Friends the Machines compendium	Boulder City
Deluxe GM Screen
Full-color map

With its stunning artwork and detailed descriptions, Tales from the Loop brings these settings to life, allowing players to immerse themselves in the world of 1980s suburbia and experience the wonders and mysteries of the Loop.

Table: Game Contents and Settings

Game Contents	Main Game Settings
Tales from the Loop RPG core book	Mälaren Islands
Our Friends the Machines compendium	Boulder City
Deluxe GM Screen
Full-color map

Whether you choose to delve into the mysteries of the Mälaren Islands or unravel the secrets of Boulder City, the Tales from the Loop RPG core book and its accompanying components will guide you on an unforgettable journey through a retro-futuristic landscape.

Character Creation

In Tales from the Loop, character creation is an important part of the tabletop RPG experience. Players have the opportunity to customize their player characters, known as Kids, to bring them to life in the game. Character creation in Tales from the Loop is streamlined and can be done in just a few minutes, allowing players to quickly jump into the action and start their adventures.

To create a character, players can choose their skills, items, prides, problems, and relationships. Skills represent the abilities and talents of the character, such as being good at fixing things or being a skilled athlete. Items are the possessions that the character carries, which can be useful in solving mysteries and overcoming challenges.

Skill	Item	Pride	Problem	Relationship
Mechanic	A trusty toolbox	Pride: Can always keep a cool head in dangerous situations	Problem: Always getting into trouble at school	Best friend: a fellow Kid with a love for adventures
Artist	Sketchbook and pencils	Pride: Can see beauty in the strangest of things	Problem: Gets lost in daydreams too often	Sibling: an older brother who is protective

Prides are special abilities or talents that make the character unique. They can be used to gain advantages and overcome challenges during gameplay. Problems add complexity to the character’s everyday life, creating interesting storylines and role-playing opportunities. Relationships represent the connections between the character and other NPCs in the game world, such as friends, family members, or mentors.

With a variety of options to choose from, character creation in Tales from the Loop allows players to create diverse and interesting characters with their own strengths, weaknesses, and personal stories. Whether it’s a brilliant young scientist, an adventurous athlete, or a curious artist, the character creation process sets the stage for exciting gameplay and immersive storytelling.

Game Mechanics

The game mechanics of Tales from the Loop are based on the Mutant: Year Zero game engine, providing a fast and effective system for resolving actions and overcoming challenges. This game engine, known for its simplicity and versatility, offers a streamlined experience that allows players to focus on the narrative and the unique stories they create.

With its intuitive rules, Tales from the Loop is accessible to both beginners and experienced players. The game emphasizes the exploration of mysteries and the use of player skills to solve problems, creating a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. Whether it’s deciphering clues, repairing machines, or navigating dangerous situations, the game mechanics provide a framework that encourages creativity and collaboration.

Fast and Effective Actions

In Tales from the Loop, actions are resolved by rolling a pool of six-sided dice based on the character’s attribute and skill level. Each roll is compared against a target number, and successes are counted based on the number of dice that meet or exceed the target. This simple yet effective mechanic allows for quick resolution of actions, keeping the pace of the game moving and maintaining player engagement.

Collaborative Problem-Solving

Another key aspect of the game mechanics is the emphasis on collaborative problem-solving. Players are encouraged to work together, combining their character’s skills and abilities to overcome challenges and unravel the mysteries of the Loop. This cooperative gameplay fosters teamwork and creates memorable moments of shared accomplishment.

A Balanced Approach

The Mutant: Year Zero game engine provides a balanced approach to gameplay, ensuring that challenges are appropriately scaled to the characters’ abilities. The system allows for moments of both success and failure, with each outcome driving the narrative forward and adding depth to the player’s experience. It strikes a delicate balance between tension and reward, keeping players engaged and invested in the outcome of their actions.

Key Features of Game Mechanics
Fast and effective resolution of actions
Encourages collaborative problem-solving
Provides a balanced approach to gameplay

Four Seasons of Mad Science Campaign

Tales from the Loop includes the Four Seasons of Mad Science campaign, which offers players a captivating and interconnected series of mysterious adventures. This campaign consists of four complete scenarios that take place in the retro-futuristic world of the Loop. With each scenario building upon the previous one, players will uncover a cohesive narrative filled with intrigue, secrets, and thrilling challenges to overcome.

The Four Seasons of Mad Science campaign provides a deep and immersive gameplay experience as players delve into the mysteries tied to the Loop. Each scenario presents unique challenges and puzzles that will push the characters’ skills and abilities to their limits. Whether it’s uncovering a government conspiracy, discovering the truth behind strange phenomena, or facing off against powerful adversaries, the campaign offers a rich and engaging storyline that will keep players hooked from start to finish.

Throughout the Four Seasons of Mad Science campaign, players will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the Loop’s world and encounter a variety of intriguing characters. The interconnected nature of the scenarios allows for a sense of progression and continuity, with the actions and choices made in one scenario impacting the events of the next. This creates a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience that keeps players invested in the unfolding story.

Table: Four Seasons of Mad Science Campaign Scenarios

Scenario Name	Setting	Synopsis
The Strange Device	Mälaren Islands	Investigate a mysterious device found near the Loop and unravel its purpose.
The Missing Scientist	Boulder City	Search for a renowned scientist who has disappeared under strange circumstances.
The Enigma Code	Mälaren Islands	Decrypt a series of coded messages that hold the key to a hidden secret.
The Final Experiment	Boulder City	Race against time to prevent a catastrophic experiment from unleashing chaos.

The Four Seasons of Mad Science campaign is a testament to the immersive storytelling and captivating gameplay offered by Tales from the Loop. With its interconnected scenarios, intriguing mysteries, and the opportunity to explore the wonders and dangers of the Loop, this campaign provides an unforgettable tabletop RPG experience.

The Setting of Tales from the Loop

In the world of Tales from the Loop, a fictional history unfolds where the discovery of the magnetine effect in the 1940s leads to the creation of particle accelerators known as the Loop. These awe-inspiring machines, located in Sweden and the US, generate strange phenomena and advanced technology, introducing a world filled with robots, futuristic transportation, and a sense of unexplained strangeness. The Loop’s existence shapes the game setting, where players explore suburban landscapes and unravel the wonders and dangers that lie within.

From the start, the Loop sets the stage for a curious blend of science fiction and mystery that captures the imagination. The game brings players into a retro-futuristic era, reminiscent of the 1980s, where the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary blur. As players navigate this intriguing setting, they come face to face with the consequences and possibilities that emerge from the Loop’s influence.

To further understand the setting, it’s worth noting that the Loop’s particle accelerators generate not only technological marvels but also anomalies that defy explanation. The resulting strangeness becomes an integral part of the world, shaping the narratives and adventures that players embark upon. Each encounter with the unknown pushes the boundaries of what is known and accepted, challenging players to explore, investigate, and make sense of the wonders and mysteries that unfold.

As players delve deeper into the setting of Tales from the Loop, they uncover secrets, encounter peculiar phenomena, and witness the interplay between science and the unexplained. The world is brimming with possibilities and unknowns, creating an immersive experience that invites both excitement and intrigue. Whether it’s the strange machines, the enigmatic robots, or the uncharted territories waiting to be explored, the setting of Tales from the Loop sets the stage for a unique tabletop RPG adventure that captivates players’ imaginations and keeps them coming back for more.

Children in the Loop

In Tales from the Loop, players take on the role of children aged 10 to 15, known as Kids. These young characters are constantly exploring the wilderness and suburban areas around their homes, encountering strange phenomena and mysteries. The game encourages a sense of exploration and adventure, immersing players in a world that captures the curiosity and wonder of childhood.

Playing as Kids in Tales from the Loop allows for a unique perspective on the game’s retro-futuristic setting. These characters are not helpless victims in the face of danger; instead, they are resourceful and resilient, finding inventive ways to overcome challenges. While the world of the Loop can be dangerous, the game ensures that the Kids will not die, creating a sense of tension and excitement without the fear of permanent consequences.

As the Kids delve deeper into the mysteries of the Loop, they will uncover secrets, solve puzzles, and experience thrilling adventures. The game provides ample opportunities for character growth and development, allowing players to forge bonds with their fellow characters and form lasting memories of their journey together.

Exploration and Danger

The core theme of Tales from the Loop is the exploration of a world where science and the supernatural collide. The Kids navigate the complexities of the Loop, encountering robots, strange machines, and otherworldly phenomena. This sense of exploration is central to the gameplay, as the characters uncover hidden truths and unravel the mysteries that surround them.

While the Kids may face danger during their adventures, the game is designed to ensure a balance between challenge and safety. The focus is on the exploration, discovery, and problem-solving aspects of the game, rather than on combat or violence. This allows players to engage with the narrative and immerse themselves in the richly detailed world of Tales from the Loop.

Table: Kids’ Age Ranges and Characteristics

Age	Characteristics
10	Curious, energetic, imaginative
11	Daring, adventurous, rebellious
12	Smart, resourceful, determined
13	Social, empathetic, intuitive
14	Independent, introspective, resilient
15	Wise, mature, reflective

The age range of the Kids in Tales from the Loop allows for a diverse range of character personalities and abilities. Each age group brings its own unique characteristics, contributing to the dynamics and interactions among the player characters. This adds depth and complexity to the gameplay, fostering engaging role-playing experiences.

Scene by Scene Gameplay

Tales from the Loop offers a unique scene by scene gameplay format that immerses players in a narrative-driven and collaborative storytelling experience. The game is played out in a cinematic style, where the Game Master sets up scenes and the players actively participate in shaping the story. This approach allows for a dynamic and interactive gameplay where everyone contributes to describing the world, Non-Player Characters (NPCs), and other important details.

With the scene by scene gameplay, Tales from the Loop creates a sense of immersion and engagement, as players have the opportunity to experience and interact with the key aspects of the story. Whether it’s exploring a mysterious location, encountering strange phenomena, or solving a compelling mystery, each scene unfolds with the players actively shaping the narrative through their choices and actions.

This narrative-driven approach to gameplay encourages collaboration and creativity among players and the Game Master. By working together, they can create memorable and engaging stories that capture the essence of the retro-futuristic world of Tales from the Loop. Each scene becomes an opportunity for the players to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Loop and uncover its secrets.

Benefits of Scene by Scene Gameplay

• Engaging storytelling: The scene by scene format enhances the storytelling aspect of the game, allowing players to actively participate in shaping the narrative and creating memorable moments.
• Player agency: Players have the freedom to make choices that affect the story, giving them a sense of agency and ownership over their characters’ actions and the overall direction of the game.
• Immersive experience: The cinematic style of gameplay immerses players in the world of Tales from the Loop, making them feel like they are part of an ’80s sci-fi thriller.
• Creative collaboration: The collaborative nature of the scene by scene format fosters creativity and teamwork among players and the Game Master, leading to rich and dynamic storytelling.

With its scene by scene gameplay, Tales from the Loop offers a captivating and immersive tabletop RPG experience that combines the excitement of storytelling with the thrill of exploration. Whether you’re new to role-playing games or a seasoned veteran, the game’s narrative-driven approach will keep you engaged and enthralled as you uncover the mysteries of the Loop.

Simple and Intuitive Rules

In Tales from the Loop, the rules are designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing players to focus on the storytelling and role-playing aspects of the game. The game utilizes an attribute-based mechanics system, where characters have attributes such as Body, Tech, Heart, and Mind. These attributes represent different aspects of the character’s abilities and skills.

To determine the success of an action, players combine attributes with skills and roll a number of dice. Each dice represents a chance for success, with higher numbers indicating better results. This mechanic allows for dynamic gameplay and encourages creative problem-solving.

The focus of Tales from the Loop is on storytelling and collaborative gameplay. The rules provide a framework for players to create unique and engaging stories within the retro-futuristic world of the game. The emphasis is not on complex rules or calculations, but on creating memorable moments and exploring the mysteries of the Loop.

With its simple and intuitive rules, Tales from the Loop offers a gameplay experience that is accessible to both beginners and experienced players. Whether you’re new to tabletop RPGs or a seasoned veteran, the game provides a platform for imaginative storytelling and exciting adventures.

Table: Attribute Mechanics

Attribute	Description
Body	Physical strength and resilience
Tech	Technical skills and knowledge
Heart	Empathy and emotional intelligence
Mind	Intellectual capabilities and problem-solving

The attribute mechanics of Tales from the Loop provide a balanced and versatile system for resolving actions in the game. By combining attributes with skills, players can create unique characters with different strengths and abilities. Whether it’s a physical challenge, a technical puzzle, an emotional interaction, or a mental problem, the attribute mechanics allow for a variety of gameplay possibilities.

Character Traits and Pride

In Tales from the Loop, character creation goes beyond attributes and skills. Each character has unique character traits that add depth and personality to their role-playing experience. These traits include:

• Drive: This is what compels the character and gives them a sense of purpose. It could be a desire to uncover the truth, protect their friends, or make their parents proud.
• Problem: Every character has a problem that adds complexity to their everyday life. It could be a strained relationship with a parent, a secret they’re hiding, or a fear they must overcome.
• Pride: Pride represents something special about the character. It could be a unique talent, a personal achievement, or something they value deeply. Players can use their character’s pride to their advantage during gameplay.

Characters in Tales from the Loop also have Luck points, which can be spent to reroll failed rolls. This allows players to have a second chance at success, even without taking conditions. Conditions, on the other hand, affect the character’s abilities until they are cleared.

These character traits, along with attributes and skills, create well-rounded and relatable characters that players can fully immerse themselves in. Whether it’s the drive that pushes them forward, the problems they face, or the pride that gives them confidence, each trait adds depth to the character and fuels their personal journey in the game.

Character Traits	Effect
Drive	Compels the character and gives them a sense of purpose.
Problem	Adds complexity to the character’s everyday life.
Pride	Represents something special about the character. Can be used to gain extra successes during gameplay.

“Character traits, such as drive, problem, and pride, bring depth and authenticity to each character in Tales from the Loop. They add a personal touch and give players a unique role-playing experience.”

Conclusion

Get ready for an unforgettable tabletop role-playing game experience with Tales from the Loop RPG. This retro-futuristic game takes you on a captivating journey into the world of 1980s suburbia, filled with strange machines and beasts. Whether you’re a fan of science fiction, ’80s nostalgia, or compelling mysteries, this game is sure to captivate your imagination.

With its immersive setting, engaging gameplay mechanics, and emphasis on storytelling, Tales from the Loop offers a unique and thrilling gameplay experience for both beginners and experienced players. Step into the shoes of the Kids, aged 10 to 15, and embark on exciting adventures where exploration and danger go hand in hand.

With simple and intuitive rules, scene by scene gameplay, and the Four Seasons of Mad Science campaign, Tales from the Loop RPG ensures every session is filled with excitement and intrigue. So gather your friends, create your Kids, and prepare to uncover the secrets of the Loop in this retro-futuristic tabletop role-playing game.