Posthuman Studios, the design team best known for the critically acclaimed transhumanist horror RPG Eclipse Phase, has shifted its gaze from the far future to the strange wilderness.
The publisher has officially launched the first phase of an open playtest for The Snarl, a new title described as a “weird fantasy” tabletop roleplaying game.
The transition from hard sci-fi to fantasy is a significant move for the studio. Where Eclipse Phase dealt with consciousness uploading and existential risk, The Snarl appears to focus on survival in a distinct, hostile environment known as the Weald.
Setting the Scene
The initial release, available now via DriveThruRPG, is unusual for a playtest packet in that it contains no mechanics. Instead, the document focuses entirely on worldbuilding. It outlines the setting of the Weald, details the various species inhabiting it, and establishes the “snarl” that threatens the safe zones.
The studio was clear about the current state of the document.
This is an incomplete not-final draft. It still needs proofreading and may see some changes before further playtests and final release.
A Staged Rollout
The playtest is scheduled to run in three distinct stages, stretching into late 2026.
While the current document covers the environment, the mechanics are slated for early 2026. This second phase will introduce basic rules, pre-generated characters, a cheat sheet, and a starting scenario designed to support two or three sessions of play.
The final phase of testing will unlock full character creation rules, allowing groups to build their own protagonists and design original scenarios.
Rob Boyle, Davidson Cole, and Adam Jury signed off on the announcement, noting that the book is currently “97% written” with early art assets beginning to arrive.
How to Participate
Feedback is currently being solicited via email and the studio’s Discord server. The designers are specifically looking for missing critical setting information or areas that require deeper exploration in future supplements.
Quick Links
- Download: The Snarl open playtest
