MemoryCore combines the best PS1 games in one stylish new TTRPG
A new tabletop RPG called MemoryCore, designed by Claudio Pustorino, draws creative inspiration from classic PlayStation 1 games by embracing the same design constraints that shaped 32-bit era classics. Pustorino channels the creative spirit of Final Fantasy VII, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Metal Gear Solid through deliberate limitations on his TTRPG’s scope and resources.
Rather than designing with unlimited content and materials, Pustorino intentionally restricted his creative process to mirror the technical constraints that PlayStation developers faced in the 1990s. He explains that despite hardware and memory limitations, those era developers achieved remarkable results by maximizing the platform’s capabilities and prioritizing substance over scope. Pustorino found this creative approach compelling enough to apply to TTRPG design, using conceptual restrictions as a challenge rather than an obstacle.
Pustorino described the design philosophy using the metaphor of a “jewel case” constraint—a reference to the CD jewel cases that housed PS1 games. By limiting the resources available during development, he aims to create a tabletop experience that captures the essence of those beloved 1990s games while proving that meaningful and memorable experiences don’t require expansive rulebooks or unlimited content. This approach reflects broader industry interest in how retro gaming principles and creative problem-solving from earlier eras can inform contemporary game design.