The Vaesen RPG is actually based on a popular book about the titular creatures. I’m relieved that the game wields the same grounded tone, since its setting truly stands apart!

The creatures aren’t just foes, but genuine cultural intrigue, and combining that with period piece exploration should appeal to any horror fan. Vaesen is a flexible world that can likely be as grim or playful as you need.

Rules & Gameplay

The condensed rules presented here are based on a really successful TTRPG engine. It’s very streamlined, and therefore easy to learn or adapt for different settings.

Vaesen has its own iteration, and the Starter Set simplifies these rules even further. This makes it an ideal entry point for new players, especially those unfamiliar with TTRPGs! For example, the system is far less intimidating than complex engines like 5e.

There are only four attributes, and a handful of skills, less to juggle in the middle of a story. Skill tests are straightforward, and mechanisms like Pushing the Roll help mitigate luck, friendlier for players that prefer fewer disasters. Moving through zones may also be easier for some, compared to counting hexes or squares.

However, it’s worth noting that the Player Characters (PCs) are fragile, and you can’t simply “beat” Vaesen, as in traditional combat. This emphasizes both survival and mystery, which is very thematic and a strong reason to play in the first place.

Bear in mind that things can quickly fall apart, also the point, but plan ahead to keep things fun for different players.

I enjoy the Conditions, which encourage players to focus on their state of mind and capacity in the story. These rules have some terrific character elements, like Traumas and Dark Secrets, and those areas excited me the most in the rulebook. Only the core book lets you create your own PCs, but the pre-gens are genuinely interesting.

Overall, the rules are geared to concentrate on storytelling and suspense, which I feel is the right tool for players interested in Vaesen.

I was a little disappointed that the Starter Set has less room for themed material, mostly spending time on engine basics. After all, the premise is what really attracted me to Vaesen. I found better balancing in Free League’s own LOTR Starter Set, which I also reviewed.

I do appreciate the disclaimers about gender roles and safety tools. It invites GMs and players to just be considerate, crucial in this genre. Also, there are some very helpful examples of gameplay throughout the book.

The Adventure (Spoiler-Free)

The sample adventure is mainly set inside the titular derelict castle, designed to focus on investigation. It’s deliberately small in scope, and generally low in stakes for balancing. This will be easier for GMs to run, and for new players to follow.

The “Countdown” is a neat feature that helps drive the pacing. The story also contains a nice setup for future gameplay, and carries the right tone.

However, although the adventure does a fine job of highlighting each of the key gameplay mechanisms, I still found it the weakest element of this Starter Set.

I feel that some of the encounters come off a little generic, considering Vaesen’s rich cultural influence. The random encounters are simple, unrelated jump scares. Navigation, recent events at the castle, and even the main antagonist, can feel redundant at times.

I did enjoy the representation of the Vaesen itself, but take care to balance out the challenging final confrontation for your particular group.

Components

This is arguably the strongest and most valuable part of the set, and definitely bumps up the final score below. The physical components here are outstanding, both practical and full of thematic details!

Basics like the reminder sheets and initiative cards are terrific, but the Codex is an exceptional touch. The Codex is mainly a prop, since it doesn’t have concrete functions for each Vaesen. But it’s also a great way to find inspiration, set the mood, get into character, and pay homage to the source material.

The illustrations throughout the rules and Codex are evocative, with a hand-drawn style and dramatic personality. Similarly, the maps and handouts share an effective faux-aged look.

These are high-quality physical components! It’s a shame we don’t get standees for future combat, but then again, Vaesen isn’t an action-heavy RPG.

Final Thoughts

The Vaesen RPG Starter Set has engaging resources that establish the right tone and welcome new players in a tidy, friendly way. These are highly streamlined rules, perfect for players new to either Vaesen or RPGs in general.

While I didn’t personally connect with the sample adventure’s smaller details, its central Vaesen is a fine example of this setting’s capacity for niche cases with authenticity and seriousness. The physical components are also a must-have, with superb artwork and handy props.

Score: 7.5/10