New Legends of Avantris Kickstarter is an Odyssey of Neon and Nostalgia

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While Dungeons & Dragons is known first and foremost as a fantasy tabletop RPG, over the past few years we’ve seen an increasing number of sci-fi variants that use the fifth edition ruleset, with titles like Esper Genesis, the Voidrunner’s Codex and the upcoming Traveller 5E.

Now, the creators of the Legends of Avantris actual play series are heading into the void with Neon Odyssey, a new over-the-top space fantasy game using the D&D 5.5E system. Inspired by classic sci-fi movies, retro video games and 1980s Saturday morning cartoons, the project has just launched on crowdfunding, generating over $3 million USD in funding in the first day alone. The campaign will run from now until June 3rd, 2026, but you can back it now on Kickstarter.

Below, we set a course for this new galaxy of neon-lit nostalgia.

What is the Neon Odyssey RPG about?

Neon Odyssey is set within “the Stardust Rhapsody,” a bizarre, colorful galaxy where techno magic and strange cosmic beings collide. The setting is a cross-stitched love letter to a number of pop culture franchises, with nods to classic video games like Star Fox, Metroid and even Super Mario Bros., as well as retro cartoons like Robotech, Thundercats and Bucky O’Hare. And while the vibe is somewhat similar to science fantasy games like Starfinder, it’s far more over-the-top, with everything from timestream-riding dolphins and glow-in-the-dark goblins to sunglass sporting dino-men and keytar-wielding slime people.

Mechanically, the game utilizes the updated D&D 5.5E ruleset but heavily modifies the core framework with a science fantasy take on the standard classes, with options like the Tracer (Rangers with Samus-like power armor) and Gridrunner (wizards who wield magic and machinery). The game also includes over 40 subclasses and 30 species, all themed around the Stardust Rhapsody’s gonzo galactic setting. The game also includes a detailed space combat system that allows players to pilot their own mecha-transforming starfighters or crew a rugged deep space transport.

What are the backer options for the Neon Odyssey Kickstarter?

Like most major TTRPG crowdfunders, the Neon Odyssey Kickstarter contains a significant number of add-ons, including miniatures, dice, a GM screen, cards, pins, maps, VTT assets and other accessories. The game system, however, is the real draw and is split into three books, which use the base D&D 5.5E rules and are collectively over 1,400 pages in length. The books include:

• Outrunner’s Handbook: This is essentially the player’s guide, offering a variety of classes, subclasses and species, plus the core rules (including space combat).
• Cosmic Codex: Designed primarily for Gamemasters, this core setting guide details the planets, monsters and lore of the Stardust Rhapsody universe.
• Overdrive Expansion: This expansion goes beyond the core rules with advanced mechanics such as vehicle racing, professions, ship upgrades and stress management.

The backer options for the Neon Odyssey Kickstarter are as follows:

• PDF ($30 USD): Includes the digital edition of the Neon Odyssey: Outrunner’s Handbook.
• Book ($65 USD): Includes the hardcover edition of the Outrunner’s Handbook, plus the PDF.
• PDF Trilogy ($80 USD): Includes digital editions of the Outrunner’s Handbook, Cosmic Codex and Overdrive Expansion.

• Book Trilogy ($165 USD): Includes the premium slipcase containing the three hardcover books and the digital PDF versions.
• Digital Deluxe ($195 USD): Includes the PDF of all three books, plus VTT integrations and digital map, art and token packs.
• Deluxe Trilogy ($240 USD): Includes deluxe versions of the three books with slipcase (PDFs are also included).
• Core Box ($250 USD): Includes physical and PDFs copies of the three books, plus resin dice, dice bag, GM screen, five reference card decks and cloth maps.

• Digital All-In ($350 USD): Includes everything in the Digital Deluxe tier plus a digital Oracle deck and all STL files for both monster and ship miniatures (the latter can be used to simulate space combat).
• Deluxe Box ($495 USD): Includes the deluxe hardcover trilogy, metal and resin dice, a map vault with five map packs, the Oracle deck and VTT integrations.
• All-In Box ($999 USD): Features amethyst gemstone dice, all eight resin dice sets, all physical miniatures, three plushies, a name credit in all three books and an exclusive collector’s coin.

Why we’re excited about Neon Odyssey

• The Legends of Avantris backing: With their Crooked Moon Kickstarter, the Legends of Avantris team proved that they’re more than just an actual play series, they’re also one of the most innovative publishers of third-party D&D 5E content. We’re looking forward to seeing this follow-up (which is only their second Kickstarter).
• The gonzo galactic vibes: We are totally sold on the bizarre blend of retro sci-fi, classic video games and Saturday morning cartoons. It is a wild thematic combination that feels genuinely original in a galaxy of sci-fi cliches.
• The amazing artwork: The images we’ve seen so far look absolutely stunning, with eye-catching colors and unique creature and character designs. We’re all in on the high-energy, neon-soaked visuals of the Stardust Rhapsody.
• D&D 5.5E Accessibility: While an original system would have been an interesting move, the decision to use the D&D 5.5E chassis means the game will be incredibly easy to pick up, with more time playing and less time learning the rules.

Final thoughts

Legends of Avantris is swinging for the fences with Neon Odyssey, with the potential to be one of the most distinctive sci-fi settings the 5E ecosystem has ever seen. Whether the Stardust Rhapsody is truly a galaxy worth exploring, however, is something only time will tell.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on Neon Odyssey in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can back the campaign from now until June 3rd, 2026 on Kickstarter.