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Stay Frosty Remastered is the latest edition of the cult-favorite sci-fi tabletop RPG, inviting players to step into the adrenaline-fueled world of future marines facing down the universe’s nastiest threats. In this remastered edition, the action is bigger, the art is bolder, and the gameplay is slicker than ever, making it a must-play for anyone who craves bug hunts, point-crawls, and cinematic, over-the-top sci-fi action. Whether you’re a fan of Starship Troopers, Aliens, or Helldivers, Stay Frosty Remastered delivers a fast-paced, rules-light experience that’s perfect for both one-shot bug hunts and full campaign play. With its signature blend of escalating tension, resource management, and hilarious writing, Stay Frosty Remastered is a love letter to the genre—and a riot at the table.
What Is Stay Frosty Remastered?
Stay Frosty Remastered is an old-school, rules-lite sci-fi TTRPG designed by Casey Garske and published by Melsonian Arts Council. Built on the streamlined Black Hack engine (itself inspired by classic D&D), the game throws you into the boots of marines tasked with clearing out infestations, surviving hellish planets, and facing cosmic horrors. The game is famous for its blend of simplicity and flavor: four core attributes (Brains, Brawn, Dexterity, Willpower), eight specialized classes (from Infantry and Armor to Psi Ops and Spec Ops), and a system that rewards both tactical play and reckless heroics.
The remastered edition features:
- A hardback format with expanded content and phenomenal, pixel-inspired art
- Streamlined rules for quick setup and play
- New exclusive items for backers, including tokens, trackers, and original adventures
- Enhanced mission generators and random tables for GMs
- Updated layout and design for clarity and style
Core Gameplay: Tension, Frostiness, and Bug Hunts
At the heart of Stay Frosty Remastered is its unique tension mechanic. As marines push deeper into danger, tension rises—making them tougher, faster, and deadlier, but also risking catastrophic consequences if things go sideways. The “Frostiness” level offers escalating mechanical benefits (like bonus damage, better saves, extra actions), but if tension explodes, players face severe backlash, including physical or psychological trauma.
Resource management is another key pillar. The “Supply Die” system means every grenade, medkit, or ammo clip has a chance to run out when used, forcing squads to make tough decisions under fire. The “Danger Die” keeps the action unpredictable, ensuring every new room or corridor could spell disaster—or opportunity.
Combat is quick and deadly, with a 1d20 resolution system: roll equal to or above your attribute to succeed. Enemies, from swarming bugs to demonic horrors, are simple but deadly, with unique abilities and morale rules that keep encounters dynamic.
Classes, Ranks, and Psi Powers
Players choose from eight classes, each with unique gear and perks. Armor gets tanks and repair kits, Intelligence excels at gathering info, and Psi Ops can unleash powerful (but risky) psychic abilities. Ranks are rolled at character creation, granting different equipment and advantages—Privates, Sergeants, and Lieutenants all bring something different to the squad.
Psi powers add a wild card to the mix: roll above your Willpower to use a power, but fail and you risk “Brain Bleed”—taking damage to force the effect. These powers range from mind control and telekinesis to pyrokinesis and machine domination, adding a supernatural edge to the otherwise gritty military action.
Campaigns, One-Shots, and GM Tools
Stay Frosty Remastered is perfect for both one-shot bug hunts and longer campaigns. The game’s modular mission generators, random tables for planets and enemies, and point-crawl structure make it easy for GMs to prep fast-paced, memorable adventures. The tone is irreverent and funny, but the stakes are real—death can come fast, and the Going Apeshit table ensures even defeat is entertaining.
Art, Layout, and Physical Edition
The remastered edition shines with its bold, pixel-inspired art by Andrew Walter, Benjamin Marra, and Noah Brown, and a clean, readable layout by Shuyi Zhang. The hardback release is packed with flavor, humor, and style, making it as fun to read as it is to play.
Summary
Stay Frosty Remastered is a triumph of rules-light, high-energy sci-fi roleplaying. It captures the chaos, camaraderie, and dark humor of classic military sci-fi, wrapped in a package that’s easy to learn and a blast to run. If you want a game where marines blast bugs, tension runs high, and every session feels like the climax of a great action movie, Stay Frosty Remastered is your next must-play.
