The Fragged Empire: Location Guide is a supplement for the Fragged Empire second edition and provides additional material for use with the Setting Guide. While I'm sure it is usable without the setting guide, my review by necessity considers that you have the Setting Guide to understand all the intricacies and history of how the Fragged Empire world is built.

TL:DR - This supplement is a phenomenal expansion of the Fragged Empire setting, building upon and providing a significant expansion of story hooks, lore, and scope providing a broad frontier for the setting.

Common gaps in many exploration based settings (which is one possible way of how to play in Fragged Empire’s sandbox) is a lack of places to go, guidance on how they fit into an established world, or a deluge of random rolls tables that create unique but disparate and unconnected locations. While this book has, and indeed begins with, tables to build random systems, the majority of the pages are devoted to fleshing out locations. Big locations. Locations that fit into the world, providing hints of how to expand your own game to feel like a Fragged Empire game but also be your game world.

The book has 6 total systems written about in depth (easily surpassing 50 total planet and other location write-ups) as well as some dangerous or minor systems detailed as well. This ranges from a mutagenic jungle planet that is the next planetary jewel fought over by every faction, to a planet beset by temporal storms strangely protected from ancient monoliths, to pirate asteroid belts, a slowly deteriorating dust bowel world slowly being overrun by semi-literal ghosts, and a lost and mysterious paradise world being potentially used as a trap, setting the stage for a potential genocide.

The art throughout is top quality, evocative, and at least one planet in every significant system has a hex based map of the world that can help groups run their games.

As Fragged Empire is probably best played as a sandbox style campaign this book is a great resource for GMs running gamesas it provides places to go, and things to experience. While it is not going to explain much about who the Archons were, or give you specific equipment stats (those would be the Setting Book and Rules Book respectively) this gives the impression of a much more active and lived-in universe, and hints that maybe the stars aren't so empty after all.

While hardly essential, this is a wonderful resource, and I would recommend it for any Fragged Empire game.

A nice little supplement offering simplicity for the new an indecisive. Can still be used as inspiration for more experienced players, I still look into sometimes when planning a new char to get ideas.

Review is based on the physical copy, I'll highlight those issues seperate due to them not affecting the pdf.

To start it was disappointing to flip through the setting guide, then this book and there was a noticeable amout of content copied over. While not a majority and understandable it also highlights that this book probably should of just been in the setting guide.

Personally found it off putting to have the random location tables right at the front. Putting these in the back would of made more sense, make them easier to jump too, and not open a book about "here's the locations of fragged... roll your own"

some highlights, the maps look great although not sure how any will play or usable they are. In general of the three books, this book probably has the most consistent art style which I appreciate.

however, as for the physical copy. the two page spreads aka all the maps, the timeline, and some art, is impossible to read as the content disappears into the binding. i have a whole planet on one map I just can't see except for two pink slivers if I spread the book right out.

In general, you're probably fine just grabbing the Setting Guide, but if you really want some (more) maps of places mentioned in the other book(s), more stories, and a table for random locations then it might be worth it for you.

Fragged Empire is a sci-fi game intended for a range of game types (e.g. space weestern, space opera, survival horror, kingdom building etc), with an original canonical setting and a unique ruleset.

Because the rules are genuinely different to other games, it took me a few hours to get a good enough sense of them to DM a game. The central resolution mechanics are very simple, however, and a player could make this a rules-light rather than rules-medium game simply by choosing traits (the core advancement mechanic) which don't increase complexity. The ruleset allows for flexible narrative expression (there are rules for rolls causing unexpected effects and a system similar to crititcal hits), and the combat system is rigorous enough that it will satisfy anyone looking for a strategy game if they explore the nuance in that system.

The setting is very rich for creating roleplaying narratives. The eight playable races (which are the closest thing to a class in this system) are all very distinct both in rules and flavour, and all have pressing reasons to do adventurous things without the system turning characters into stereotypes. When describing the game to friends, I would always be told that one race was obviously the one that everyone would want to play, but they would all disagree on which one. The setting has many grander plot threads that can affect any character, and the background of recovering from a cataclysmic war during a very fragile peace is simply an engaging and flexible backdrop for any kind of sci-fi story you care for.

While I strongly recommend getting the setting guide as well (especially for DM's), this book alone will give you a ruleset and setting that has me more excited for the characters I would create and new worlds they would explore than I can remember any game doing for a very long time.

Note: I haven't played the first edition of Fragged Empire, so this review doesn't consider any content from the first edition or the transition between them.

Fun game, I played it for over a year with a group of friends.

A huge improvement from 1st edition. Clearer rules, a new arcane system, smoother tabletop combat, the artworks are great. What more could I ask for?

German Review - english Deepl Translation at the end:

Fragged Empire 2nd Edition ist mit Abstand das beste was ich in den letzten Jahren gelesen habe.

Das Regelwerk

Das Regelwerk ist anfänglich etwas verwirrend aufgebaut, aber sobald man sich in die Materie eingelesen ist der Aufbau sehr sinnvoll. Kompakt geschrieben und schnell wiederzufinden. Die großen Stärken sind die schnell zu lernen Regeln, intensive Kämpfe und extreme Flexibiltät für den Spieler und den Spielleiter. Mit den vorhanden Regeln lässt sich so gut wie jedes Genre und jedes Setting abbilden. Man ist nicht wie bei Call of Cthulhu auf wenige Settings und Gegebenheiten begrenzt und kann eine Sandbox voller Wunder und Mythen präsentieren. Ob nun klassische Detektivgeschichte, Universum umspannendes Sci Fi Opera, oder doch bodenständiges Dschungel Abenteuer ist alles dabei. Alle acht verfügbaren Klassen und deren Arcande Fähigkeiten lassen sich gut individuell einsetzen und jede erstelle Gruppe kann ihren ganz persönlichen Flavour entfalten. Nichts und niemand ist hier auf vorgelegte Sachen begrenzt. Von personalisierten Waffen, Outfits und Gegnern ist alles dabei. Hier wird der Spielleiter auch durch Beispiele gut an die Hand genommen, um eigene Kreationen freien lauf zu lassen.

Das Setting

Ohne Spoiler für Spieler: Die Welt von Fragged Empire 2nd Edition ist sehr liebevoll und detailliert beschrieben, um neue Spieler und Spieller gut in die Welt einzuführen. Gleichzeitig schafft es die Welt genug Mysterien, Rassen und Konflikte offen zu lassen. Durch die gute Balance erhält man beim lesen viele Ideen für eigene Charaktere, Geschichten und legendäre Gegenstände. Zusätzlich ist es nicht notwendig Fragged Empire 1 gelesen zu haben, was ein riesen Pluspunkt für neue Spieler und Spielleiter ist. Jeder Typ von Spieler sollte auch eine passende Rassen finden können. Die Archtypen der Rassen sind zwar vorgegeben, aber sobald man im Settings Guide die einzelnen Splitterfraktionen entdeckt, wird einen schnell klar das sich die Rassen durch nicht so einfach kategorisieren lassen. Jede einzelne von Ihnen ist vielschichtig und liebenswert. Das schafft selten eine in sich geschlossen Welt.

Fazit: Ich bin absolut begeistert von Fragged Empire 2nd Endition und kann jeden Fan, auch fernab von Sci Fi, diese Welt und die dazu gehörigen Regeln einfach weiterempfehlen. Durch die Modularität und Flexibilität ist das Regelwerk und die Welt für jeden Spieltisch zu gebrauchen. Die zugänglichen Regeln und die charmante Welt sollte jeden schnell in seinen Bann ziehen. Einzig die anfängliche Struktur des Regelwerks lässt einen beim lesen der Seiten etwas zurück. Dazu empfiehlt sich erst das Settings Guide Buch durchzulesen.

English automatic translation

The Rulebook

The rulebook is a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, the structure makes a lot of sense. Compactly written and easy to find again. The great strengths are the quick to learn rules, intense combat and extreme flexibility for the player and the game master. With the rules in place, you can play just about any genre and any setting. You are not limited to a few settings and circumstances like in Call of Cthulhu and can present a sandbox full of wonders and myths. Whether it's a classic detective story, universe-spanning sci fi opera, or down-to-earth jungle adventure, it's all there. All eight available classes and their Arcande abilities can be used individually and each created group can develop its own personal flavor. Nothing and no one is limited to predefined things here. From personalized weapons, outfits and enemies, everything is there. Here, the game master is also well taken by the hand through examples to give free rein to their own creations.

The Setting

Without spoilers for players: The world of Fragged Empire 2nd Edition is described very lovingly and in detail to introduce new players and gamers well into the world. At the same time, the world manages to leave enough mystery, races and conflicts open. The good balance gives you plenty of ideas for your own characters, stories, and legendary items as you read. Additionally, it is not necessary to have read Fragged Empire 1, which is a huge plus for new players and gamemasters. Every type of player should be able to find a suitable race. The archetypes of the races are given, but as soon as you discover the individual splinter factions in the settings guide, you quickly realize that the races cannot be easily categorized. Every single one of them is complex and lovable. This rarely creates a self-contained world.

Conclusion: I am absolutely thrilled with Fragged Empire 2nd Endition and can recommend this world and its rules to every fan, even far away from Sci Fi. Due to the modularity and flexibility, the ruleset and the world can be used for any gaming table. The accessible rules and charming world should quickly captivate anyone. Only the initial structure of the rulebook leaves you a bit behind when reading the pages. It is recommended to read through the Settings Guide book first.

I have to say I'm absolutely in love with this setting. The post-post apocalypse gives so many directions in which to run a game, and the detail is expansive. Even better are the deliberately vague/undiscussed areas to allow a GM to mould whatever they want from the bountiful raw ingredients of the setting.

Absolutely recommended!

Having run a few different RPGs, I was looking for a really good Sci-Fi RPG with expansive options and a great world. Fragged Empire does exactly that, and more.

Amazing worldbuilding and background- something different from the majority of Sci Fi RPGs. Medium crunch - a good level inbetween most RPGs and wargaming. 2nd ed. tightens everything up and makes a great RPG into a brilliant one!

A fantastically well thought out and expanded follow up to what is honestly the best roleplaying system I've ever played or stocked in my gaming store.

Making solid progress over the original editions already fantastic systems, you would be doing yourself a massive disservice by not picking this game up, even if only for the absolutely stellar, unique, setting that Fragged has.

I may not like this setting, but credit where it is due. Wade meticulously created vibrant and intresting setting, full of plot hooks, inspiring characters and out of this world places. Even if you won't use it as base for a campaign it is masterclass in how to write a setting guide. Cudos to you Wade!

I've been part of the playtesting for this edition, and it has been absolutely fantastic! This is hands-down the best RPG rule system I've ever played with. In the roughly 10 years since the original Fragged Empire, Wade has smoothed over all the rough edges and come up with a lot of neat ideas to make the system much cleaner, simpler and easy to learn, while maintaining the depth and flexibility that experienced role-players love.

Im a fan since the first Kickstarter, and I have to say: The best version of Fragged Empire yet!

It has improved upon everything that should be improved, while staying true to it's spirit.

The rules are described as medium crunch, while the long lists of truly distinct options + the option to restyle things allows for truly unique characters.

Getting into it takes some time, because you have 99% of options available at char creation. Once you invested the time, it is a lovely system.

The best part of this system is it's lore, which was clearly made with love and attention to detail. The post post apocalyptic world is something I haven't seen in other RPGs before this.

Hello everyone,

I've played some RPGs in my life and I'm playing since 2003. So I have some experiance to compare and I hope I can help you with that. :)

In Fragged Empire 2 you habe medium crunch. And gor me it males the perfect balance for new people in RPG to get into it and expirienced players to have enough rules anf variations so it doesn't get boring.

The combat system is very tactical and easy to learn. Combat goes very quick if you get some expirience and you don't need 1 hour for the first combat round.

The Lore of the game is very very lovingly written. There is so much detail in the species description.

One thing I had to get used to: there are a lot of blankets in the lore that you can fill. Its made for creativity and as GM you have less to worry if you get the right idea of the world, because you can design it your own way. There are rules to create planets, new weapons and to design your own species.

Hello everyone,

I've played some RPGs in my life and I'm playing since 2003. So I have some experiance to compare and I hope I can help you with that. :)

In Fragged Empire 2 you habe medium crunch. And gor me it males the perfect balance for new people in RPG to get into it and expirienced players to have enough rules anf variations so it doesn't get boring.

The combat system is very tactical and easy to learn. Combat goes very quick if you get some expirience and you don't need 1 hour for the first combat round.

The Lore of the game is very very lovingly written. There is so much detail in the species description.

One thing I had to get used to: there are a lot of blankets in the lore that you can fill. Its made for creativity and as GM you have less to worry if you get the right idea of the world, because you can design it your own way. There are rules to create planets, new weapons and to design your own species.