Zhalla: A Cosmic TTRPG That Redefines Sci-Fi Roleplaying

Every now and then, a tabletop RPG comes along that doesn’t just present a setting—it throws you into a galaxy that demands to be explored. Zhalla: A Voice from Cosmic Shores is that kind of game. Touted as an in-development TTRPG designed "by players, for players," Zhalla is an enchanting fusion of retro-futurism, tactical combat, and high-stakes intrigue that refuses to fit neatly into a single sci-fi niche. It’s cinematic, brutal, and relentlessly engaging—a universe where every choice carries weight, and the consequences of failure can be as thrilling as victory.

First Impressions: A Living, Breathing Universe From the moment you crack open the Player’s Handbook, it’s clear this isn’t just another space opera. Zhalla doesn’t do generic. Instead, it delivers a setting where factions rise and fall, cultures thrive or collapse, and your crew’s actions send ripples across the Void. The lore is rich without being overwhelming, offering unique species that feel like more than just stat blocks. The Ekkin, silver-tongued diplomats who shapeshift and wield words like weapons, stand in stark contrast to the Vrogonauts, a race of brawny reptiles dedicated to industry. Every culture has its own rituals, conflicts, and motivations, making the universe feel lived-in and like it exists beyond the player’s immediate influence. The developers have even fleshed out fully functional languages you can learn for shits and giggles. Seriously. The Zhalla setting isn’t a utopia, nor is it a bleak dystopia. It’s a galaxy held together by uneasy alliances, unchecked corporate ambition, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. And you’re the catalyst for whatever happens next.

Character Creation: Meaningful Choices, Endless Variety Zhalla doesn’t just let you build a character—it ensures whoever you create feels like they really are the protagonist in a grand, cosmic odyssey. With fifteen unique species to choose from, variety is in no short supply, and every option has distinct abilities that matter in gameplay. These aren’t just cosmetic differences—your selection actively shapes playstyle, stats, and how the denizens of the Void will interact with your character. Next, there’s the Origins system—because a character’s past should do more than fill a few lines in a backstory. Whether you’re a Corporate Spy, a Debt Runner fleeing dangerous loan sharks, or an Artifact Hunter seeking the relics of dead civilizations, your background gives you mechanical and narrative advantages that shape how you move through the universe. Did I mention you get to choose from 32 of them?! Classes work differently too. Instead of rigid roles, Zhalla offers Specialties, allowing a Bounty Hunter to be a Deadeye sniper, a tech-heavy Gadgeteer, or an Apex Predator who tracks their target with unsettling precision. But beyond even that, the developers introduced a Skill Shards concept that allows you to blur the lines between classes as your character develops organically.

Gameplay: Tactical, Brutal, and Deeply Satisfying Beneath the lore, Zhalla runs on a d20-based system, but what sets it apart is its emphasis on story, collaboration, and tactical depth. Combat isn’t about mindless shootouts—it’s positioning, cover, and taking calculated risks. Weapons have unique ranges or effects, power constraints, and different ammo types, making your loadout choices critical. Starship combat is just as engaging. It’s not just a series of rolls—your crew has parts to play. Depending on your ship's robust customizations, Pilots dodge incoming fire, Engineers patch hull breaches, and would-be navigators ensure you don’t jump into the middle of a wayward planetoid. Whether you're smuggling contraband or dogfighting against bounty hunters, every maneuver feels deliberate and high-stakes. Even outside of combat, Zhalla thrives on player-driven storytelling. You work with your crew and NPCs to navigate faction politics, manage reputations, and deal with the long-term consequences of your actions. If you think you can casually roll for Persuasion or bribe your way out of everything, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Worldbuilding: Expansive, Mysterious, and Begging to Be Explored If there's one thing that Zhalla does better than any mainstream TTRPG, it's worldbuilding. The tender love and care its developers showed for the game practically ooze out of every detail. From their playable species to the robust Planetary Guidebook, this game prepared everything for its players, right down to cultural celebrations and atmospheric content. 

As you play and move through the universe, there's no shortage of content to explore. You'll find abandoned space stations transmitting cryptic distress signals, the ruins of ancient civilizations warning of dangers long forgotten, and inexplicable anomalies that make even the most seasoned explorers hesitate before venturing further. It’s a galaxy in motion, where history isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you shape. Final Verdict: A Sci-Fi TTRPG That Deserves a Spot at Your Table Zhalla isn’t just another "Star Wars meets cyberpunk" RPG. It’s a masterclass in immersive worldbuilding, tactical combat, and emergent storytelling. This game doesn’t hold your hand, but if you’re willing to engage, it’ll reward you with some of the most gripping sci-fi roleplaying out there. Final Score: 9.5/10 ✔ A stellar blend of crunchy mechanics, immersive worldbuilding, and open-ended storytelling. ✔ Perfect for players who love tactical combat, narrative depth, and meaningful choices. ✔ Some mechanics have a learning curve, but the depth is worth it. Bonus: Zhalla openly encourages players and Architects (Game Masters) to homebrew. In their own words, "there will always be space for your creativity." So, the real question is: Who are you gonna be, Void Scout?