I was sent a review copy of this book by Bardic Inspirations RPGs.  No other compensation has been provided for this review.

Last year, I reviewed Reanimated and its supplement Join their Ranks from Trapped Chest, which I enjoyed and maybe started lighting a fire under my long dormant interest in zombie RPGs.  Early this year, Lytha Hawkes from Bardic Inspirations Games reached out to me about checking out this ‘third party’ module zine.  This really makes me wish I had a regular crew of fellow gamers who were into trying different games, like I did back in the 90s.  Probably the only thing about the 90s I’ve got any nostalgia for.

There will be spoilers, so if you’re interested in playing a darkly comic scenario for Reanimated, send this to your favorite GM.

This module is short, at only 20 pages, including illustrations, maps, and stat blocks (which, in my first look video I wrongly assumed were pre-gen characters).  There are essentially two locations.  The first one has two encounters, the second has several, and some flexibility.  There’s potential for some roleplaying, but also potential for more gung ho players to mostly get violent.  Although, I suspect that wouldn’t turn out well.

The module leans a bit hard on “read-aloud” sections, which I would probably edit substantially, or turn into bullet points for more natural roleplay ad-libbing.  I could see Paw Pop being a fun character to really ham it up with.  I pictured some combination of Burl Ives from Big Country and Denver Pyle from The Dukes of Hazzard.  I also think the folks at the farm could make for some really interesting interactions, depending on how the GM might play them, and how the players might react.

Everything wraps up with a potentially catastrophic, multi-wave combat.  A siege, I suppose.  I suspect this scenario could be played in a fairly short amount of time.  Though, with some easy padding, time for some roleplaying, and maybe a bit of exploration around the farm, it might stretch out a bit.  Still, a single session of two to four hours should cover it.  Less if the players lean into violence.  If you were looking to start a campaign, this could work, as it might leave a nice base of operations in the PCs’ hands.  It’s also the sort of scenario that could be plugged into an ongoing game fairly easily.  The PCs just need to stumble upon Paw Pop and his truck at the right moment.  

Check out Bardic Inspirations RPGs here.

Get a copy at Compose Dreams Games here.

Check out my first look video here. 

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