Hardboiled is a roleplaying game of the 1930s and 1940s pulp detective action where you play regular folk who have decided to fight back against criminal elements running wild in your city. But there's more to fighting for justice and safe streets than picking up your hat and gun to take on the kingpins and their thugs; you'll need to beat your enemies at their own game because the rot reaches the corridors of power! Can you stay true to your principles, even when those you love and protect are threatened? Or will you spiral down into a nihilistic pit of bitterness and blood?