Blade Runner’s Replicant Rebellion Kickstarter Launches

The universe of Ridley Scott’s iconic 1982 film, Blade Runner, continues to expand in intriguing ways. Following the success of Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve, which extended the story and solidified Villeneuve’s reputation as a master of science fiction, the Blade Runner franchise has branched out into various media, including video games, comic books, and a forthcoming streaming series featuring Michelle Yeoh.

One of the most notable additions to the franchise is Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game by Free League Publishing. This game immerses players in the roles of blade runners operating in the period between the original film and its sequel. The game emphasizes investigation, the ethical dilemmas inherent in police work, and the complex boundaries between humans and replicants.

Now, the first major expansion for the game, titled Replicant Rebellion, is being launched on Kickstarter. This expansion offers a fresh perspective by allowing players to sympathize with and support the new generation of replicants. Players must decide whether to reform the system from within or engage in revolutionary actions to bring it down.

The setting of Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game is fraught with tension. Wallace Corp has reintroduced replicants into society, and the world is still coming to terms with this reality. The company assures the public that these new replicants are reliable, but the presence of the Rep Detect unit indicates lingering mistrust and the potential for conflict.

Players in the Replicant Rebellion campaign are discontent with the current state of affairs. They could be older replicant models seeking to ensure the new generation does not endure the hardships they faced or humans who recognize the exploitation and suffering of replicants and are determined to alleviate it.

Unlike the original game, which revolves around solving cases, Replicant Rebellion focuses on operations designed to challenge the replicants’ societal roles. These missions generate tension, providing the Game Master with opportunities to introduce Blade Runner enforcers, betrayal by allies, and other complications. The expansion introduces new roles, rules, and equipment.

The campaign book includes three pre-designed operations, each requiring players to balance stealth and aggression. Players must navigate the complexities of resistance, choosing between slow, subtle actions and bold, decisive moves.

For newcomers, the Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game Starter Set is the perfect entry point. It contains everything needed to start playing, including characters, dice, and the fundamental rules. The set also includes a case involving a rogue replicant Blade Runner, challenging players to reconcile their duties with their humanity.

The story continues with Fiery Angels, where blade runners investigate the Wallace Corporation’s Memory Vaults. This case file maintains the tradition of the Starter Set, offering a box filled with authentic props for players to examine and use.

The core rulebook of Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game provides extensive resources for players and Game Masters to craft their own narratives within the Blade Runner universe. Players can choose between human and replicant characters, each presenting unique challenges and story possibilities. Replicant Rebellion requires either the Starter Set or the core rulebook to play.

The Kickstarter campaign also includes an asset pack with additional props for original stories, guidance on creating new props, digital files, and numerous charts and inspirations to fuel the Game Master’s creativity.

Blade Runner: Replicant Rebellion is available on Kickstarter until Thursday, June 13, 2024. The product is scheduled for release in February 2025, promising fans a deeper dive into the moral complexities and thrilling adventures of the Blade Runner universe.