The end of the world “Zombie Apocalypse” had hit store shelves just before Christmas and in time for the new year. But what is it ?  Well its a new RPG game line  by the guys over and Fantasy Flight Games. Zombie Apocalypse is the first in a line of end of the world setting games hence the fitting title. So what is the twist compared to other zombie apocalypse settings? Well the intent of the end of the world games is that you and your group sit down and make and play yourselves in the end of the world. On a personal note I love this concept. With the trend of popular preper and survival shows out there this seems to me to be a given concept and a sure hit. But on the FFG forum and even among the gamers that I have spoke with it seems that there is a lot of push back to not wish to play a game in this vein. The enthusiasm for the setting is high but most players wish to make players other then themselves. As FFG has said that you are free to make any type of character that you want in the setting but encourages gamers that part of the fun of this setting will be playing stylized versions of yourselves with all the flaws that we bring to the table. To add to the stylized them player characters the players will have only available equipment of what they bring with them that game session.

From the FFG website:

Can You Survive?

Most roleplaying games begin when you and your fellow players create characters to play as in the game. In Zombie Apocalypse and the other books of The End of the World line, you receive the unique invitation to play as yourself in the midst of the world’s apocalypse! Rather than playing an invented character, you play an abstracted version of yourself, using your own skills and talents as you attempt to survive the end of the world. We gave an example of what this kind of character creation looks like in our first preview of Zombie Apocalypse.

Your skills and talents aren’t the only things drawn from your own life and experience. Your gear and weapons are limited to whatever you may have near you when you begin the roleplaying session. Venturing out of your home to find additional weapons or supplies may be one of the first expeditions you must make – and it may also be one of the most dangerous.

The daily struggle for survival offers dozens of possibilities for adventure and conflict at the end of the world. Grocery stores or restaurants may be an adequate food source at first, but looters and other survivors will quickly deplete their stockpiles. Even finding clean water can be a struggle as the structures of society shut down one by one. Succeeding at these tasks would test anyone’s skills, and as we explored in our second preview, these tasks are handled with an elegant, narrative system that keeps the focus on the story.

Zombie Apocalypse is the first in The End of the World Line. The setting books to follow will be. Alien invasion, Wrath of the Gods & lastly Revolt of the Machines