Deadlands is a genre-bending alternate history role-playing game that incorporates Western, horror, and steampunk elements. Shane Lacy Hensley wrote it, and Pinnacle Entertainment Group published it. The creators adapted Deadlands setting for various systems, including the original Classic Rules, the revised Classic Rules, the d20 System, GURPS, and a Savage Worlds version called Deadlands: Reloaded.
Classic Deadlands Setting vs. Deadlands Reloaded Settings
In the Weird West, as it is called, the monsters and magic have been given life by enigmatic entities known as the Reckoners, forcing history to change starting on July 4th, 1863. The South has gained its independence, California has fragmented into a maze of submerged sea canyons, and a mystery superfuel known as “ghost rock” has produced just as much conflict and struggle as “steampunk” gadgets.
There is some kinship between the Deadlands setting (also known as the Deadlands Classic setting) and Savage Worlds. Deadlands Classic was a stand-alone RPG with its own world. Then a mini-game, a smaller, stripped-down version of Classic, came called The Great Rail Wars.
The reduced rules later evolved into a genre-free role-playing game called Savage Worlds, and Deadlands Reloaded was created as an add-on setting for that system.
It’s worth mentioning that Deadlands Classic came in two variants. The first was an all-in-one edition named “Deadlands: The Weird West” that was launched in 1997 and included content for both players and Marshals (game masters).
Moreover, a book called The Quick and the Dead existed that increased certain character choices for players and a plethora of additional environment material for Marshals. These two volumes were superseded in 1999 by the “Revised & Expanded” editions, Deadlands: Player’s Guide and Deadlands: Marshal’s Handbook, which integrated the content from the core and The Quick and the Dead and modified a few rules but remained the same.
There was also an all-in-one book, a hardbound Player’s Guide and Marshal’s Handbook, and a paperback Explorer’s Edition Player’s Guide and Marshal’s Handbook for Reloaded. There aren’t many differences between the all-in-one and split volumes.
Deadlands and Red Dead Redemption
When comparing the tabletop to the video-game counterpart, there are a lot of similarities that players will find. First and foremost, Red Dead Redemption (RDR) is set in the Wild West, and even though you are playing with an established character, you can make many personal choices that will show how some moments in the game play out.
RDR is set in 1911, while RDR 2 is set in 1899. Even though the 50-year difference with the Deadlands is there, it is hardly felt because the entire atmosphere of revolver guns, horse-riding, and a lot of small towns that are waiting for you to discover (and rob) them are still there.
RDR doesn’t have the magic elements of the Deadlands world, although it has some dark and horror moments. An RDR DLC called Undead Nightmare brings a zombie apocalypse to the world of the Wild West.
And although the undead are trying to take over, that’s it for the unrealistic elements. You will still be using bullets, dynamite and fire to fight them, burn their graves and ultimately save the day in this fun zombie-filled expansion.
Both RDR and RDR 2 allow you to define your relationship with multiple NPCs, which, in many ways, adds to the role-playing experience. You can decide whether you will be a good or bad guy and, if so, to what extent.
Maybe you’ll decide to shoot everyone who offends you, but at the same time, you wouldn’t deny doing a favor for the oppressed.
Deadlands has it all
In the end, the Deadlands setting offers multiple games that can suit everyone’s taste. If you and your team are old school and wish to go through the original games, you can play the Classic version.
On the other hand, Reloaded versions give you a much more streamlined experience if you don’t wish to spend too much time worrying about the details and instead want to move through a large number of adventures.
I prefer the newer, Reloaded versions of the game because they emphasize recreating a classic Wild West action with their fast and fun rules. It is also much more difficult to die for your character when compared to the Classic setting, and you can go crazy and be an undead mad scientist if you want.
The art is excellent, and the setting is unforgettable. I believe that now is probably the ideal moment to begin playing Deadlands.
