The Electric State RPG Core Rulebook –

When Free League Publishing announced The Electric State RPG, fans of Simon Stålenhag’s evocative art and storytelling had every reason to be excited. The Electric State is more than just a tabletop role-playing game; it’s a journey to a terrifyingly beautiful, alternative 1997 America, filled with broken robots, menacing monoliths and the melancholy of a world unraveling. As someone who has spent far too many evenings studying Stålenhag’s original art book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this core rulebook. Here’s how it relates.

Free League has always excelled at creating books that are as much works of art as game manuals, and The Electric State’s core rulebook is no exception. Every page drips with atmosphere, thanks to Stålenhag’s art, which is interwoven with the text in a way that enhances both. You’ll find vast, desolate landscapes punctuated by surreal machines and faded remnants of human civilization. The artwork not only sets the tone; It is integral to storytelling. You can lose hours browsing the book just for the images, even if you’ve never rolled a single die.
The layout is clean and functional, with a retro-futuristic aesthetic that screams nostalgia from the late 1990s. Fonts and graphics feel authentic to the era, giving the book a sense of immersion even before you start reading.

If you’re not familiar with The Electric State, the premise is a unique Stålenhag twist on the post-apocalypse. The year is 1997 and America has been eroded by a mix of war, environmental degradation and the rise of neural VR technology that has rendered much of the population inert. Huge drones and inanimate machines dot the landscape, and players must navigate the eerie emptiness of a world that has lost its humanity. It is not the Mad Max chaos of most post-apocalyptic environments; It is quieter, sadder and deeply introspective.
The rulebook does an excellent job of fleshing out the setting while leaving room for player and GM interpretation. There are detailed sections on neural networks, the purpose of the towering monoliths and the enigmatic drones, but much of the lore is delivered in a deliberately fragmented way, a reflection of the disjointed, fractured nature of the world itself. This is a setting that thrives on mystery, and the book does not cleverly spell everything out.

The game uses a modified version of Free League’s Year Zero Engine (YZE), which is praised for its simplicity and narrative focus. If you’ve played Tales from the Loop or Mutant: Year Zero, you’ll find this system familiar, although it has been adapted to the melancholy tone of The Electric State.
Players create characters using a series of archetypes such as the nomad, scavenger or caretaker, each linked to the setting’s themes of survival and loss. Traits and skills are rolled using a pool of d6s, with successes determined by rolling 6s. Push mechanics, allowing players to re-roll dice at the risk of earning stress points, add a layer of excitement, especially in a world where resources and stability are scarce.

The most intriguing addition is the memory mechanism. As players explore the world, they are encouraged to create and recall memories, which provide mechanical benefits but also anchor their characters in the emotional core of the story. It’s a subtle but brilliant way to pair mechanics with role-playing, reinforcing the game’s focus on personal and collective loss.
The battles are sparse and deadly, which suits the setting. This is not a game about mowing down hordes of enemies; It is about survival and making difficult choices in a world that is already falling apart. The simplicity of the system keeps the focus on story and atmosphere rather than crunchy mechanics, which feels like the right decision.

GMs in The Electric State have a lot of creative freedom, but the book provides excellent tools to guide them. There’s a robust section on shaping the desolate world, filled with prompts, random tables and advice on how to create that distinct mix of wonder and fear. The game emphasizes collaboration and encourages players to contribute to the world-building process, which can make sessions feel more immersive and personal.
One notable feature is the way the book frames the adventure design. Instead of traditional quests, GMs are encouraged to think in terms of journeys, encounters and vignettes. The focus is not on achieving goals, but on experiencing the world and grappling with its mysteries. It’s a refreshing approach that fits the tone of the game perfectly.

One of the strengths of The Electric State is its accessibility. The rules are simple and the book does a good job of guiding new players and GMs through character creation, mechanics and setting expectations. If you’re coming from a heavier system like Dungeons & Dragons, the transition to YZE’s streamlined approach may feel like a breath of fresh air. That said, experienced players will appreciate the depth hidden in the game’s simplicity, especially its emphasis on narrative and emotional storytelling.

As much as I love this book, it is not without its flaws. The piecemeal approach to world building, while thematically appropriate, can frustrate players or GMs looking for more concrete answers about the setting. Some sections feel a bit underdeveloped, leaving gaps that could require considerable GM improvisation.
Additionally, while the game’s focus on introspection and atmosphere is a strong point, it may not appeal to everyone. If your group prefers high-stakes action or complex mechanics, this is not the game for you. The Electric State is a slow burn and the greatest rewards come from leaning into the quieter, emotional moments.

The Electric State RPG Core Rulebook is a triumph of thematic design. It captures the essence of Simon Stålenhag’s art and stories and translates it into a tabletop experience that is as evocative as it is engaging. Free League has once again proven why they are one of the best in the business when it comes to narrative RPGs.
If you’re a fan of Stålenhag’s work, post-apocalyptic settings or games that value story and emotion over mechanics, this is a must-have. It’s not just another game; It’s an invitation to step into a world that feels both otherworldly and heartbreakingly familiar. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand – like the world it depicts, The Electric State is as much about the journey as the destination.