Summary
Speculative fictionis a niche genre that exists in the gray areas between alternative history, science fiction, and experimental writing. Role-playing games that include speculative fiction often feature apocalyptic settings, steampunk elements, or dark humor.
MostRPGshave some elements of speculative or experimental fiction, for both video games and TTRPGs, but fewer video games make it a dominant part of their setting or plot. It often takes extra work to build a realistic world based on a type of fiction that doesn’t have any set rules, which is why it remains a niche genre. That hasn’t stopped thesespeculative fiction RPGsfrom earning their accolades though.
West of Loathingis part of a small indie franchise that started in 2003 with a browser-based game calledKingdom of Loathing,and the setting and story have always taken a humorous view of RPG tropesthat include horror, royal succession, true crime, and other dangerous subjects.West Of Loathingis the third and most recent game in the series, and it combines the thrill of the American frontier with stories of aliens, ghosts, and demon cows.
The game begins like other RPGs, with players choosing one class from a roster of three, and theycover the usual rolesbased on different ability stats. The physical damage class, the Cow Puncher, is based on the Muscle score, the Beanslinger uses Mysticality, and the Snake Oiler relies on Moxie, which is comparable to Charisma.
“Cyberpunk” as a genre is relatively new and can be traced back to the dystopian visions of the future that were part of the media landscape in the 1990s.Cyberpunk 2077was a big-budget game that brought the concept of cyberpunk into the mainstream and, after a rocky start, it was revamped and expanded, getting positive reviews with the 2023 DLCPhantom Liberty.
The role of Johnny Silverhand, a deceased anti-hero who only exists as part of a bionic implant that threatens to overtake the protagonist’s body, is an exampleof the type of characterthat appears in speculative fiction. The complex setting also includes details about corporate oligarchies, fashion trends, and political history, essentially creating a whole world where this kind of character, and what happens to them, makes sense.
Even thoughUndertalewas released in 2015, it looks like a 16-bit Nintendo game from the late 1980s, and thatdesign is an important partof what makes it speculative fiction. The outcome of the story depends on what choices the protagonist makes, which is true for any RPG, but these plots are written in experimental and unexpected ways.
Spoiler alert: it’s possible to finish this game without fighting at all, resulting in an ending that most players never see. On the other hand, there’s also an “evil” ending if the main character decides to slay every character they meet, which is also a possibility.
Most RPGs use a medieval fantasy setting, the most famous examples beingWorld Of WarcraftorFinal Fantasy 14, while others, likeNew World: Aeternum, borrow from real historical time periods. What makes the story ofAeternumspeculative fiction is the alternative history of the Age of Discovery, which includes lore surrounding the occult and Biblical mythology.
There are few classes to choose from inNew World, with few restrictions regarding armor, weapons, and professions, and players are expected to build their characters from the ground up. This type of RPG isn’t as popular as those with more structured classes and storylines, but the build freedom is also part of the speculation.
This is another RPG that uses speculative fiction with a cyberpunk aesthetic,The Ascentalso adds experimental concepts like an elaborate arcology system, adding to the immersion factor in this dystopian future. It’s not just enemy targets that can be destroyed, but also the environment, and that’s an intrinsic part of the game’s progression.
The game is named after The Ascent Group, and the main character is intended tobe one of the many slavesworking for the corporation. However, when the company collapses, the arcology in which the story is set descends into chaos as different groups compete for ultimate control.
It was partly the unique story about a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future witha retro-futuristic aestheticthat made the originalFalloutsuch a massive hit. The franchise is still going strong and includes several direct sequels and spinoffs, all of which have been handled by a variety of different studios, but the speculative fiction that grounds the story has remained a constant feature.
The gameplay includes survivalist elements along with the typical RPG activities of questing, exploring, and character development. However, the player doesn’t create their own avatar. The main character of the game is simply known as the Vault Dweller, which is a literal description of their home, which happens to be in a nuclear fallout shelter. One of the earliest quests that players undertake is to fix a water purification device, and the stakes get progressively higher from there.
Earthboundis actually the second installment in one of gaming history’smost beloved RPG franchises, which might be hard to believe because localization efforts kept it from making a big impact in North American markets. This is ironic because the unique use of a Western pop-culture setting is what made the game such a big hit, and that’s part of what makes it speculative fiction.
The plot and storyline ofEarthboundhave gone through more literary, artistic, and psychological interpretations than some novels. The main character, Nes, travels through an experimental fantasy mixed with existentialism, absurdism, and abstract thought. It’s still a fun RPG, with all the usual features of the genre at the time, but the imagination and speculative angle are why it’s still a popular game all these years later.
