Tales from the Loop

Tales from the Loop RPG · Tales from the Loop Roleplaying Game

Tales from the Loop

Tales from the Loop is a mystery roleplaying game about kids in a suburb shaped by a vast research facility known as the Loop. You juggle school and home life with strange occurrences that no adult wants to confront. Imagine sagging barns, peculiar machines at the edge of town, and a neon glow on winter nights. The atmosphere is warm and curious, with gentle chills. Players appreciate its human stories and retro-futuristic vibe.

A session unfolds like your favourite small-town mystery. You ask questions, cycle to key locations, converse with eccentric adults, and tinker with bizarre technology until the truth emerges. It’s perfect for beginners, families, birthday groups, and teams looking for a shared puzzle. If you enjoy grounded puzzles and character moments, it sits deep in Mystery.

How to play Tales from the Loop

The rules use pools of six-sided dice. When you attempt something risky, gather a handful based on your character’s traits, skills, and gear, then roll. Any 6 is a success. More 6s provide additional benefits. If you miss, you can try again by taking a Condition or by getting help from friends. Most turns are straightforward: describe what you do, roll if it is uncertain, then the Game Master reveals the results in the world.

You bring a character concept, a couple of personal details, and a willingness to ask questions and assist the group. A professional Game Master provides the mystery, maps, NPCs, handouts, and the 80s vibe. One-shots focus on one clear case you can solve in an evening. Campaigns develop your home life, recurring NPCs, and larger secrets. It also works seamlessly online; see online play options.

A detailed painted game miniature of a tabaxi character leaping with a knife, designed for role-playing game adventures.
A detailed painted game miniature of a tabaxi character leaping with a knife, designed for role-playing game adventures.
Game Master gestures excitedly while players move miniatures during a tabletop roleplaying encounter.
Game Master gestures excitedly while players move miniatures during a tabletop roleplaying encounter.

Common questions

Do we need to know any rules to get started?

No. A professional Game Master guides you as you play. The system is straightforward: when something is uncertain, you roll a handful of six-sided dice based on your child’s strengths and equipment. One 6 means you succeed, while extra 6s provide bonuses. If you fail, the story continues, often with a twist or a choice. You only need a character concept, like bookworm or skater, and a sense of curiosity. Everything else is explained at the table.

How many players can join, and what is the duration of the game?

Tales from the Loop is best enjoyed with 3 to 5 players, although it can also accommodate 2 for a quieter, more intimate mystery. A typical session lasts 2 to 3 hours. New groups can create characters in around 15 minutes before diving into the case. One-shots are perfect for a single evening. For campaigns, that same session length allows you to balance school, family scenes, and the unfolding mystery without feeling rushed.

Is it genuinely suitable for children? What age groups are appropriate?

Yes. The tone is gentle and curious, filled with wonder, school drama, and light scares rather than graphic content. Adventures focus on solving problems, conversing with quirky adults, and tinkering with unusual technology. Many families enjoy playing comfortably with children aged 10 and above, and a Game Master can adjust the tension to suit your group. Parents are welcome at the table. If you wish to avoid certain topics, please mention it upfront and the GM will navigate around them.

How does Tales from the Loop differ from D&D?

It focuses on investigation and daily life, rather than dungeon battles. You take on the roles of kids with bikes and torches, so conversation, stealth, and tinkering are more important than combat. There are no classes or spell lists, and no battle maps are required. Danger is managed through narrative setbacks instead of hit points. Most scenes revolve around clues, choices, and relationships. If you wish to compare it with other systems in terms of feel, check out more game options.

What types of characters do we play, and how is danger managed?

You play as kids from the 80s-that-never-was, like a Bookworm, Jock, Troublemaker, or Weirdo, each with simple abilities and personal issues at home or school. Kids do not die in this game. When things go awry, you mark Conditions such as Scared, Exhausted, or Injured, which make later rolls more difficult until you receive support or find a quiet moment to recover. The stakes feel real without being grim, so tension arises from time pressure, getting grounded, or strained friendships.

Where are the mysteries located, and can we use our town?

The published settings feature Sweden’s Mälaren Islands and Boulder City, Nevada, both influenced by a vast research facility known as the Loop. A professional Game Master can run either setting, or adapt the mystery to your local area so your group can relate to familiar landmarks, slang, and local quirks. Whether urban or rural, both settings work well. The retro-future technology and the Loop’s experiments provide the backdrop, while the streets, shops, and school corridors become your own.

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Genres you can play in Tales from the Loop

  • Mystery

    Follow the clues, construct timelines, and apprehend the culprit. Think Knives Out, but you are the detective, assembling alibis and…

    View genre: Mystery
  • Cozy

    Heartwarming, low-pressure tales centred around tea, neighbours, and little pleasures. Imagine Stardew Valley with pals, where mild…

    View genre: Cozy
  • Conspiracy

    Unravel layers of deception as you follow leads through dimly lit rooms, encrypted files, and betrayals. Paranoia escalates with each clue…

    View genre: Conspiracy
  • Spooky

    Candlelight, creaking stairs, and a shadow that shifts when you look away. Imagine Goosebumps, filled with quick thrills, mischievous…

    View genre: Spooky
  • Rural

    Comfortable fields, muddy boots, local drama, and harvest festivals. Imagine Stardew Valley with mysteries at the hedgerow, family ties…

    View genre: Rural

What players have to say

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the kids and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did an excellent job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a significant portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't fully understand how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but see it as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his deep knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided a brilliant experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a present for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was an excellent GM who adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left the game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another session with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A nice and clear first experience with D&D. Amber was able to explain and guide the game effectively, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack routes was an enjoyable activity and provided great insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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