Mothership

Step aboard the desolate, dark confines of space in Mothership, a sci-fi horror RPG where players navigate treacherous alien worlds and face off against cosmic terrors. With a streamlined ruleset focused on survival and psychological horror, Mothership immerses players in a tense, suspenseful atmosphere where every decision can mean life or death. Unique character classes, random tables for generating spooky encounters, and an emphasis on narrative-driven storytelling make Mothership a must-play for fans of sci-fi and horror RPGs.

At-a-glance

Aliens • Needs GM • 3/5 complexity • Low prep

Rank #1002
Genres:
Aliens Cosmic Horror Science Fiction
Mechanics:
Exploration-Driven Survival Streamlined Team-Based
Themes:
Dark
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Mothership

Mothership is a science fiction horror tabletop role-playing game emphasizing player survival in a hostile universe. Its core mechanics are designed for ease of play and quick character creation, focusing on narrative-driven experiences and team-based problem-solving.

Theme and Setting

The game uniquely combines a simple d100 Panic Engine with a focus on player stress and panic, setting it apart from other horror RPGs. It targets players who enjoy high-stakes, investigative gameplay in a dark, supernatural setting.

How Play Feels

Mothership plunges players into a bleak future where humanity has spread among the stars, only to encounter unimaginable horrors. The game draws heavily from the claustrophobic and isolating atmospheres of films like Alien and Event Horizon .

What Makes It Distinct

Characters explore derelict spacecraft, investigate strange new worlds, and confront hostile alien life, all while teetering on the brink of sanity. The setting emphasizes survival horror , where resources are scarce and danger lurks around every corner.

Where It May Not Fit

You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table.

Decision guide

What this game is about

Key facts
Players
2-5 players + GM
Session
120-240 minutes
Prep
Low
Play profile
Complexity
3/5
New GM Fit
3/5
Roleplay Focus
3/5
Combat Focus
2/5
Tactical Depth
2/5
Campaign Depth
5/5
Who it suits
Best for
Players who want hostile encounters with alien life and worldsGroups that want place, travel, and discovery to stay centralLong-form campaigns with room for the table to build momentum
Avoid if
You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryoverYou want the system to stay almost invisible at the tableYou want a much breezier tone than this game is built to support

A strong fit for groups that want hostile encounters with alien life and worlds, with exploration-Driven helping define the experience.

Agent data

Structured data and an explicit decision profile JSON document are available for remote agents.

Open agent JSON