Grab Your Multi Pass, We’re Going on Our Own ‘Fifth Element’-Inspired Adventures with These RPGs
We’re getting our Multi Pass and our weirdest far-future outfit and jumping into Fifth Element-inspired adventures with these TTRPGs.
Fifth Element is one of those pop culture touchstone movies that everybody knows about. Even if you’ve never seen it, or haven’t seen it in so long that you don’t remember much of anything, there’s a good chance you’re at least familiar with what the main characters look like and that one musical number. The world of Fifth Element is kind of cool, and kind of horrifying. It’s really one of those settings that would be fun to visit as a game and then walk away from later. So let’s do just that with these RPGs.
Cyberpunk
The Cyberpunk games are pretty Earth-centric. But they do have a lot of that retro-future-dystopian feel. So if they high-tech dystopia is the aspect of the movie that you’re most interested in emulating, Cyberpunk Red may be a great fit. Upgrade everything, hang out with cyborgs, and take on the big evil corporations. Or, just try to survive out there.
Shadowrun
Similar to Cyberpunk, Shadowrun takes place in a high-tech dystopian future where everything has the potential to be terrible and dangerous. Only in Shadowrun, there’s also magic and fantastical creatures and player-character options. If you want your game to feel a little alien and strange from time to time without taking your characters into space, incorporate some myths and magic.
Metabarons
Finally getting into space, Metabarons is a D6 system RPG based on a comic of the same name. This is a space opera full of conflict, technological advancements, and legendary warriors. But one of your character’s most important traits is their honor. Make good choices.
Impulse Drive
This game about spacefaring misfits on the fringes of galactic civilization is inspired by all of our favorite space opera. It’s also a Powered By the Apocalypse system game. Which means that it’s very flexible. Characters are meant to be volatile, and the setting is meant to be crafted and affected by the players as you play. But the rules are also simple, straightforward, and easy to teach even the newest newcomer to tabletop RPGs quickly. Do you want to start exploring space and saving the world right now? Impulse Drive will have you in your own imaginary spaceship within the hour.
Valerian
This one actually have some connection to Fifth Element through artist Jean-Claude Mézières. Based on the comics of the same name (yes, and the movie) this game will have you saving the day in space or in high-tech cities of the future. The biggest downside for some of us however is that the RPG is written in French. But there’s no bad reason to learn another language. Or to collect another RPG with pretty artwork. If you’re looking for a new project or (like me) just forgot that the movie ever existed for a moment, the Valerian RPG could offer a very fun take on the adventure.
