This is a review of Zin Never Dies by Eiko Nemo Dowme, a tabletop roleplaying game set in the unique and somewhat perilous world of Djin-Za.
Introduction
It is not often one stumbles across a setting that feels genuinely distinct from the standard fantasy tropes of elves and dwarves, but Zin Never Dies manages exactly that. This indie RPG, written and illustrated by Eiko Nemo Dowme, invites players into Djin-Za, a world that feels ancient, lived-in, and teeming with strange life. It is a game that balances whimsy with a darker, more grounded reality where survival is not guaranteed.
The PDF provided is a comprehensive guide, rich with lore and mechanics that intertwine rather neatly. It is a solid 4/5 experience, offering a fresh perspective on fantasy roleplaying that is well worth exploring for groups tired of the usual dungeon crawls.
The World of Djin-Za
The setting is undoubtedly the star of the show. Djin-Za is a continent divided by a cursed scar known as the Empty Passage, separating the old world from the new. It is a land governed less by kings and more by local spirits who demand respect and offerings.
The playable species are delightfully unconventional. You have the Masked, small beings who simply appear from caves fully formed and never remove their bone-white masks. There are the Suits, intelligent slugs who pilot suits of armour to interact with the world. Then there are the Hardened, gentle giants who are completely immune to magic, and the Feborn, leopard-folk with a history of rebellion. Humans exist here, too, but they are just one piece of a very strange puzzle.
The lore is deep but accessible, painting a picture of a world recovering from past eras of empire and war. It feels like a place where history matters, where the ruins you explore have a story that locals might actually remember—or fear.
The Fitting Action System
Zin Never Dies uses a custom mechanics engine called the Fitting Action System. It eschews the binary pass/fail state of d20 systems like 5e in favour of a more nuanced approach. When you roll a d20, you are checking to see if you perform ‘as expected’ for someone of your ability.
Your stats (Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom, and Zin) determine a target range, modified by a ‘Wiggle Stat’. Rolling within this range is a ‘Fitting’ result, meaning you did exactly as well as your stats suggest you should. Rolling above is ‘Above Fitting’, and rolling below is ‘Below Fitting’.
It is a clever way to handle competency. A character with low dexterity trying to pick a lock might roll a Fitting result and still fail because, well, they are clumsy and that is what is expected of them. Conversely, a master swordsman rolling Fitting strikes true because that is their baseline. It requires a slight shift in mindset from the GM and players, but it reinforces the narrative weight of who your character actually is.
Zin and the Spirits
Magic in this setting is known as Zin. It is not a list of rigid spells but a dynamic force manipulated through ‘Towers’ of specialisation, such as the Tower of Fire, the Tower of Movement, or the Tower of Shadow.
What makes magic truly interesting here is the role of Spirits. The world is divided into domains, each ruled by a local Spirit with its own likes and dislikes. Using Zin is essentially a wrestling match with the local reality. If you are in a domain ruled by a Spirit who hates fire, using the Tower of Fire becomes significantly harder or might have unpredictable consequences. This adds a layer of tactical depth to exploration; knowing the local Spirit’s preferences becomes as important as checking for traps.
Final Thoughts
Zin Never Dies is a charming, evocative, and mechanically interesting RPG. Eiko Nemo Dowme has created a world that begs to be explored, filled with creatures and cultures that feel fresh. The Fitting Action System might take a session to click for players used to high-fantasy power fantasies, but it serves the grounded, slightly gritty tone of the game perfectly.
If you are looking for a fantasy game that trades the tavern brawl for a duel of wits with a river spirit, or where your party tank is a sentient slug in plate mail, this is definitely one to pick up.
Quick Links
- Free Quickstart: Zin Never Dies
