Augmented is a cyberpunk action RPG in which players take the role of cybernetically enhanced operatives working for a powerful corporation referred to simply as “the Company.” These Agents were once ordinary employees, but after suffering some form of accident, the Company exercised a clause in their contracts to augment them with a variety of cybernetic implants and recondition them for corporate espionage and warfare.

Agents are bound to the Company by more than just their contracts. Their augmentations are still Company property and can be reclaimed at any time. Even worse, the human body has a toxic reaction to cybernetic implants. Without regular doses of special medication, their immune system will begin to reject their artificial components. This reaction takes the form of a fast-moving cancer that proves fatal in a matter of weeks.

If Agents complete their assignments successfully, their augmentations are maintained and they receive the medication they need to survive.

If they fail, the Company reclaims its property and writes the meat off as a loss.

Playing Augmented

A rules-lite RPG with no stats and no complicated preparation, Augmented is built upon the resolution system featured in Ghost/Echo by John Harper (Blades in the Dark, Lady Blackbird). The game is intended to be played fast and loose, with more of an emphasis on the story and finding out what happens next than on rules mechanics that dictate and constrain action.

Traditional cyberpunk RPGs often have complex systems for combat, hacking, and cybernetic implants that take a more simulationist approach to gameplay. This can make them rather time consuming to prepare and play. Augmented was designed to be as abstract and simplified as possible so the players can focus on the theme and style of the genre rather than get bogged down in rules mechanics. A typical session of Augmented should play fast and loose, with an emphasis on action and conflict.

Coming Online March 30

Augmented is available for preorder on Itch.io ahead of its official March 30 release. By preordering the game now, you can get it at a special, reduced price ($5 preorder vs $7 retail). 

I’ll be sharing more details about the game in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back here for updates. You can also sign up for the Last Redoubt Games newsletter to get the latest news straight to your inbox.