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.
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. Cosmic mutations are a lot of fun, too, with some of these including telekinesis, telepathy, or getting vacuum gills and no longer worrying about having to breathe.
For this review, "Welcome to the Ring" was played. The characters reach Aurum 80, a forgotten part of the Iron Ring where space miners once flocked. The adventure begins with players having a broken hub, in need of fuel, and with a debt they must pay off. There's no fixed solution, so they must experiment by exploring various areas - like the Docking Bay and Engine Room - and speaking with NPCs to help solve their problems. It works well as a one-shot but can be expanded for a longer campaign.
Death In Space is a nice break from the many high-fantasy TTRPGs out there. There's a lot of customizability and flexibility for player characters and GMs alike, allowing for each adventure to feel unique and different from the last. Fans of the Alien movies, films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, or sci-fi games like The Outer Worlds or Fallout should adore the gameplay and world-building of Death In Space.
Death In Space is available now. Screen Rant was sent a copy for the purpose of this review.