Coriolis Science Fiction; Space Opera; Environmental; Narrative-Driven; Exploration-Driven; Collaborative Worldbuilding; Resource Management
Coriolis is a science fiction tabletop roleplaying game set in the isolated Third Horizon, blending Arabian Nights aesthetics with interstellar exploration and political intrigue. Using the Year Zero Engine, it focuses on character customization, resource management (particularly ship-related costs), and tactical combat, offering a unique experience for players interested in exploration-driven gameplay and a rich, lore-heavy setting.
Theme and Setting
Coriolis is set in the Third Horizon, a remote cluster of star systems isolated from the rest of humanity after the Portal Wars. This setting is a melting pot of cultures, where the First Come colonists, worshipping the Icons, coexist with the newly arrived Zenithians, who pursue an imperialistic agenda. The game masterfully blends science fiction with Arabian Nights themes, creating a unique and evocative atmosphere. The central hub of the Third Horizon is the space station Coriolis, a beacon of trade, politics, and intrigue built from the remnants of the arkship Zenith. Players navigate this complex environment, encountering ancient ruins, powerful factions, and mysterious beings from the Dark Between the Stars, becoming entangled in political conflicts and shaping the destiny of the Horizon. The lore establishes a detailed backdrop, full of adventure possibilities across its thirty-six star systems, each location providing unique encounters and challenges.
Core Mechanics and Rules
Coriolis employs the Year Zero Engine, characterized by its straightforward, skill-based system. Characters have four attributes and a set of skills. To perform an action, players roll a number of six-sided dice equal to their attribute plus skill level. Success is determined by rolling at least one six. Additional sixes can grant bonus successes.
Combat is tactical, with characters having three actions per turn for movement, attacks, and defense. Ship combat utilizes similar skills, allowing all players to participate in various roles like captain, pilot, engineer, and gunner. Resource management is significant, particularly related to ship maintenance and fuel. A unique mechanic is the use of Darkness Points (DP), which the GM can spend to introduce complications and challenges. Players can 'pray to the Icons' for rerolls, granting the GM additional DP, creating a risk-reward system that adds tension and player agency to the game.
What Makes Coriolis Unique
Several elements distinguish Coriolis from other sci-fi RPGs. The setting's blend of science fiction and Arabian Nights mythology is a standout, creating a distinct cultural and aesthetic experience. The 'praying to the Icons' mechanic, while potentially sensitive for some players, offers a unique way to incorporate faith and risk-taking into gameplay. The game also emphasizes the importance of the player ship. Crews are encouraged to customize their ships which then become characters central to the campaign. Coriolis encourages players to define roles for their characters from the beginning, ensuring player engagement during both ground and ship-based adventures.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Coriolis appeals to players who enjoy exploration-driven narratives, character customization, and tactical combat within a rich, lore-heavy setting. The game is designed to be accessible, with relatively simple core mechanics, making it suitable for both experienced RPG players and newcomers. The setting is geared towards mature players who are invested in political intrigue, resource management, and faction dynamics. Some may find its religious themes off-putting. Players should also be aware that some key plot elements are developed more thoroughly in expansion books, which are more like additional chapters in a serialized epic, so Coriolis may not be ideal for players seeking complete setting independence from the core book alone. Overall, the player experience is characterized by a sense of adventure, intrigue, and the opportunity to shape the destiny of the Third Horizon.
