Those Dark Places Science Fiction;Horror;Survival;Low Prep;Quick-Play;Rules Lite
At‑a‑glance: Industrial sci‑fi horror • d6 dice pools + Stress • 2–5 + GM • Low prep • Rules‑lite • 2–3h sessions
Theme and Setting
Those Dark Places drops players into cramped corridors, failing life‑support, and the realities of blue‑collar work at the edges of space. The vibe is retro‑industrial: flickering strip lights, clattering ducts, and corporate memos that treat people as replaceable parts. Stories orbit survival—patching hull breaches, triaging injuries, and deciding whether to cut losses or dive deeper for a risky payday.
Core Mechanics and Rules
The system uses small d6 pools against target numbers and situational modifiers, with a concise Stress and Condition model that escalates danger without bogging down play. Characters are classless and quick to build, gear is straightforward, and ship/environment procedures get explicit support so crews can react fast when alarms blare. Resolution stays focused: roll, interpret, push, and move on.
What Makes It Unique
Instead of tactical crunch, the game leans on pressure: dwindling oxygen, bad lighting, unreliable machinery, and corporate mandates that clash with common sense. Prep is minimal—scenarios read fast and run faster—so the table can start tense scenes within minutes. The rules constantly reinforce tone, keeping scenes grounded in maintenance hatches and medbays rather than power fantasies.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Great for groups who want cinematic tension without heavy subsystems. If you like Alien‑style panic, Mothership’s workplace misery, or Death in Space’s rust‑and‑radio static, this sits in that lane but even leaner. Expect short, punchy sessions where survival decisions matter and the line between heroism and disaster is one bad roll away.
