Death In Space TTRPG Review: Sci-Fi Roleplaying At Its Finest

screenrant.com:

Death In Space is an excellent sci-fi tabletop RPG from Free League Publishing that brings plenty of otherworldly fun and (sometimes) horror to the gaming table. The game takes place in the Tenebris system, a part of space plagued by war, lawlessness, and cults. Players can get cosmic mutations and succumb to the void, all while facing any number of dangers on various planets and spacecraft.

The core rules for Death In Space, which come in an easy-to-read single volume, also includes a fun starter adventure called «Welcome to the Ring,» which serves as a nice introduction to the Tenebris system, the Iron Ring, and general gameplay mechanics. Players can create their own hub for their party, and can choose from a space station or a spacecraft, depending on what kind of adventure they're looking for. The space station setting is great for anyone looking for a 2001: A Space Odyssey-type adventure while spacecraft hubs could turn into fun Star Trek-like campaigns or horrific Alien-inspired stories as players navigate through the solar system.

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In terms of world-building, Death In Space really shines. There's a lot of interesting history, including the Gem Rush that accounts for the various mines scattered around the Tenebris system and the many ruins of civilization players can stumble upon in their adventures. The gameplay is also really interesting, as cosmic mutations can be used to a player's benefit while void corruption can cause them to lose control altogether. Void corruption effects are varied from cool to creepy — for instance, players getting bioluminescent skin or having flies and insects crawl out of their bodies while they sleep.