The End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse Horror;Survival;Modern;Rules Lite;Quick-Play
At‑a‑glance: Modern Survival • d6 dice pools • 3–6 incl. GM • Low prep • Rules‑lite • 2–3h sessions
Theme and Setting
A present‑day zombie outbreak upends normal life in hours. Food, water, and safety are scarce; trust is a resource. Play ordinary people thrust into crisis—neighbors, friends, or even yourselves—trying to get out, hole up, or help others before the dead surround you.Core Mechanics and Rules
Resolution uses small dice pools built from attributes and skills; higher results beat the difficulty, with degrees of success and complications. Stress and trauma accumulate quickly, degrading effectiveness until characters break or adapt. Equipment is ad‑hoc: improvised weapons, scarce ammo, and bags full of questionable supplies. Rules favor rulings and momentum over tactical grids—fast calls, fast consequences.What Makes It Unique
Focus is squarely on immediate, cinematic survival. The book provides multiple outbreak scenarios and escalation tracks so the situation worsens even if the party stands still. Play ‘as yourselves’ is supported out of the box for an instantly relatable hook, but you can also build archetypes quickly for repeat play.Target Audience and Player Experience
Perfect for groups who want tense, high‑stakes sessions without extensive prep or character crunch. Expect fast scenes, hard choices, and a tone that rewards caution, ingenuity, and cooperation. Great as a convention one‑shot, a short survival mini‑series, or a palate‑cleanser between longer campaigns.
