Are there any submarine based RPGs?

[The Grinning Frog]

Hey everyone, your Frog overlord here! I know this is more of a niche area; but as much as I find the ocean absolutely terrifying, the idea that we don't know what's down there or the fact it's barely explored it just not for me. There aren't many water based RPGs at all atleast as far as aware.

I do love the idea of submarines even if I would never go in one, I just think they're really interesting and look pretty badass but they really don't get enough spotlight in general media outside a few stand out films (Hunt for Red october & fantastic Voyage) Outside of that I don't know of any RPGs that are submarine or even water based, I Just think its an underrated idea.

 

[Morrus]

What does it need to make it 'submarine based'? Special rules for decompression? I figure any modern-set RPG can be set in a submarine? That's just the adventure plot, surely? Like D&D might be in a castle or a desert.

 

[DragonLancer]

It's now longer in print to my knowledge but you might find them as PDFs on rpgnow maybe, but there was a game I ran back in the 00s called Blue Planet which was a cyberpunk style game set on a water planet in the far future. Typical Cyberpunk still game but with submarines a plenty, optional rules for playing as enhanced dolphins/orcas and potential deep sea aliens as yet unrevealed. It was quite a good game.

 

[The Grinning Frog]

It's now longer in print to my knowledge but you might find them as PDFs on rpgnow maybe, but there was a game I ran back in the 00s called Blue Planet which was a cyberpunk style game set on a water planet in the far future. Typical Cyberpunk still game but with submarines a plenty, optional rules for playing as enhanced dolphins/orcas and potential deep sea aliens as yet unrevealed. It was quite a good game.

I just did a quick search, it sounds incredible and honestly I love anything cyberpunk themed! It's on DrivethruRPG, looks like there's a ton of expansions which is good, I'll have to check it out.

 

[The Grinning Frog]

What does it need to make it 'submarine based'? Special rules for decompression? I figure any modern-set RPG can be set in a submarine? That's just the adventure plot, surely? Like D&D might be in a castle or a desert.

I completely agree you could make any RPG work, I was thinking if there was any game that has specifically built itself around using submarines/underwater settings, so I wouldn't have to convert another games ruleset to fit my setting. Blue Planet was suggested and Polaris I believe is another one.

 

[John R Davis]

Ocean is a horror/survival RPG that is normally set underwater so a submarine if that's what is wanted

 

[Theory of Games]

GURPS Vehicles has rules for submarines including rules for underwater maneuvers.

 

[J.Quondam]

I haven't played either of these, but two "claustrophobic underwater" games off the top of my head are:

Deep Dark Blue, a Fate Core setting​

Pressure, a standalone industrial sci-fi RPG from Osprey Games​

I also know a number of writers have made underwater horror adventures/settings using Mothership rules, though many of those are about exploring alien oceans rather than Earth's.

 

[GMMichael]

Try Alien RPG by Free League. Spacesuit = diving suit, spaceship = submarine.

 

[Committed Hero]

A couple of X of Cthulhu scenarios are set on subs. Part of the Innsmouth campaign and one from Pagan.