Life is Strange: How to Run a TTRPG in the Style of the Award-Winning Video Game

 

 

Life is Strange is a critically acclaimed video game that explores the coming-of-age story of a teenage girl who discovers she has the ability to rewind time. If you're a fan of Life is Strange and want to bring that same sense of mystery, drama, and emotion to a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) setting, this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG in the style of Life is Strange.

1. Use a Small Town Setting: Life is Strange takes place in the small town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by creating a small town setting that is rich in history and culture, with a variety of interesting locations and landmarks to explore.

2. Emphasize Relationships: Life is Strange is known for its emphasis on relationships, with the player character building relationships with a variety of NPCs over the course of the game. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by emphasizing relationships and providing players with a variety of NPCs to interact with and build relationships with.

3. Use a Supernatural Element: Life is Strange is known for its supernatural element, with the player character possessing the ability to rewind time. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by incorporating a supernatural element that allows players to have unique abilities or powers.

4. Use a Mystery Plot: Life is Strange is known for its mystery plot, with the player character trying to unravel the mystery of a missing girl in Arcadia Bay. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by creating a mystery plot that the players must unravel over the course of the game.

5. Use a Coming-of-Age Theme: Life is Strange is known for its coming-of-age theme, with the player character navigating the challenges of adolescence and growing up. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by emphasizing the coming-of-age theme and providing players with challenges and obstacles that are unique to their characters' stages in life.

Suitable Player Characters:

1. The Time Traveler: A character with the ability to manipulate time, similar to the player character in Life is Strange.

2. The Outsider: A character who is an outsider in the small town setting, with a unique perspective and background that sets them apart from the other characters.

3. The Investigator: A character with a background in investigation or law enforcement, who is drawn into the mystery plot and uses their skills to unravel the mystery.

4. The Artist: A character with a background in art or music, who uses their creativity to navigate the challenges of adolescence and express themselves in the small town setting.

Sample Adventure Outline: "The Disappearance"

Setting: A small town setting that is rich in history and culture, with a variety of interesting locations and landmarks to explore.

Plot: The players are a group of teenagers who live in the small town and are drawn into a mystery when a classmate disappears under mysterious circumstances. As they investigate the disappearance, they uncover a larger conspiracy that threatens the safety of the town and its inhabitants.

Characters: The players could take on the roles of a time traveler, outsider, investigator, and artist, each with their own unique abilities and skills that complement each other in the investigation.

Here's an example of a small-town conspiracy that could be suitable for a game inspired by Life is Strange:

The Conspiracy: The small town of Millfield is home to a powerful group of individuals who are secretly controlling the town's government, businesses, and law enforcement. This group, known as "The Circle," is made up of wealthy and influential individuals who have been working together for years to maintain their power and influence.

The Mystery: The players are a group of teenagers who have grown up in Millfield and have always suspected that something is not right in their town. When one of their friends is arrested for a crime he didn't commit, the players begin to investigate the town's power structure and uncover a web of corruption and deceit.

The Villains: The Circle is made up of a variety of villains, including:

1. The Mayor: The town's mayor is a member of The Circle and has been using his position to further the group's agenda.

2. The Businessman: A wealthy businessman who owns most of the town's businesses and has been using his wealth and influence to control the town.

3. The Sheriff: The town's sheriff is a member of The Circle and has been using his position to cover up the group's activities and suppress dissent.

The Twists: As the players investigate The Circle and try to bring their conspiracy to light, they discover several twists and complications, including:

1. The Betrayal: One of the players discovers that their own family member is a member of The Circle, forcing the player to choose between their loyalty to their family and their loyalty to their friends.

2. The Frame-Up: The players discover that The Circle has been framing innocent people for crimes they didn't commit, forcing the players to clear their friends' names and bring the true criminals to justice.

3. The Race Against Time: The players discover that The Circle is planning a major event that will cement their power and control over the town. The players must race against time to stop the event and reveal the truth about The Circle before it's too late.

This small-town conspiracy provides a compelling and engaging storyline for players, as they investigate a powerful group of villains and try to uncover the truth about their town. It also allows for plenty of opportunities for roleplaying, exploration, and decision-making, as the players navigate the complex web of relationships and power dynamics in the town of Millfield.

Here are some obstacles the players might face in their investigation:

1. Lack of Evidence: The Circle is careful to cover their tracks and erase any evidence of their wrongdoing. The players may struggle to find solid evidence to prove their suspicions, making it difficult to convince others of the conspiracy.

2. Resistance from the Community: Some members of the community may be loyal to The Circle or fearful of retribution if they speak out against them. The players may face resistance or even hostility from members of the community as they try to gather information.

3. Intimidation and Threats: The Circle may use intimidation and threats to dissuade the players from investigating further. This could include physical threats, blackmail, or other forms of coercion.

4. Legal Obstacles: The players may face legal obstacles, as The Circle has influence over the town's law enforcement and legal system. The players may struggle to get access to important documents or to get law enforcement to take their concerns seriously.

5. Betrayal from Within: The players may face betrayal from within their own ranks, as one of their own may be working with The Circle or be sympathetic to their cause. This could lead to internal conflicts and mistrust among the players.

6. Time Constraints: The players may be working against the clock, as The Circle's plans may be coming to fruition soon. The players may need to act quickly and decisively to uncover the truth and stop The Circle's plans before it's too late.

By facing these obstacles, the players will be challenged and forced to think creatively and strategically as they investigate the conspiracy. Overcoming these obstacles will also make the players feel more accomplished and invested in the story, as they work hard to uncover the truth and bring the villains to justice.

Suitable TTRPG Systems to Use:

1. Monster of the Week: A TTRPG system that is designed for mystery-solving and supernatural investigation. It emphasizes character customization and a flexible rules system that can accommodate a variety of supernatural abilities and powers.

2. Fate Core: A TTRPG system that is designed for narrative-driven gameplay. It emphasizes character creation and storytelling, with a focus on player agency and collaboration.

3. Cortex Prime: A TTRPG system that is designed for character-driven storytelling. It emphasizes character creation and customization, with a flexible rules

system that can accommodate a variety of supernatural abilities and powers.

 

How can I create NPCs that players will want to build relationships with?

Creating NPCs that players will want to build relationships with is an important part of running a successful tabletop roleplaying game. Here are some tips on how to create NPCs that players will care about:

1. Give NPCs Goals and Motivations: NPCs should have their own goals and motivations that are important to them. This gives the players a reason to interact with them and can lead to interesting storylines and conflicts.

2. Make NPCs Unique and Memorable: NPCs should be unique and memorable, with their own distinct personalities and quirks. This makes them stand out from other NPCs and gives players a reason to remember them.

3. Provide Opportunities for Interaction: NPCs should be present in the game world and provide opportunities for interaction with the players. This can be through quests, conversations, or other activities that allow players to get to know the NPCs better.

4. Make NPCs Vulnerable: NPCs should have weaknesses or vulnerabilities that make them relatable and human. This can be through personal struggles, past traumas, or other challenges that the players can help them overcome.

5. Create NPCs that are Relevant to the Players: NPCs should be relevant to the players in some way, whether through shared interests, personal connections, or other factors that make them important to the players. 

   6. Allow NPCs to Change: NPCs should be able to change and grow over the course of the game, just like the players' characters. This can be through new experiences, relationships, or other factors that impact their goals and motivations.

By following these tips, you can create NPCs that players will care about and want to build relationships with. This can add depth and richness to the game world and provide players with engaging and memorable experiences.

 

How can I make sure NPCs change in a way that feels natural?

Making sure that NPCs change in a way that feels natural is an important part of creating a compelling and believable game world. Here are some tips on how to make NPC changes feel natural:

• Establish a Strong Character Foundation: Before introducing an NPC, establish a strong foundation for their character. This includes their personality, backstory, motivations, and goals. By establishing a clear foundation, you can ensure that any changes to the NPC's character feel consistent with their established traits.
• Show the Process of Change: Don't have NPCs change suddenly and without reason. Instead, show the process of change through their actions, conversations, and interactions with the players. This can include small changes that build over time, or larger changes that are triggered by specific events or experiences.
• Make Change a Consequence of Action: NPC change should be a consequence of action, whether it's the players' actions or the actions of other NPCs. This means that the change should feel earned, rather than arbitrary or forced.
• Use Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a great way to make NPC changes feel natural. By dropping hints and clues about an NPC's potential for change, you can prepare the players for future developments and make the change feel more believable.
• Give NPCs Agency: NPCs should have their own agency and make their own decisions based on their goals and motivations. This means that their changes should be the result of their own actions, rather than being forced upon them by external factors.
• Emphasize the Impact of Change: When an NPC changes, emphasize the impact that it has on the game world and the players. This can include changes to the NPC's relationships, goals, and motivations, as well as changes to the overall game story.

 

Conclusion

Running a TTRPG in the style of Life is Strange can be a thrilling and engaging experience, allowing players to explore a small town setting, investigate a mystery, and navigate the challenges of adolescence. By incorporating the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can create a memorable and engaging game that captures the spirit of Life is Strange.

 

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