Best rpg system on Reddit
283 reviews from r/rpg, r/JumpChain, r/Solo_Roleplaying and 15 more subreddits
283 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
GURPS
4.1
(23)
"GURPS was designed to handle this very thing. Create any character you can imagine, and take her into any universe/adventure you can imagine."
"Gurps and the hero system are the best at this imo."
"We use GURPS for stories like that. It's great for historic campaigns."
"My recommendation would be GURPS. Specifically GURPS Cabal."
"Personally I'd go for a system with actual crunch like GURPS."
"If you're heavy into the mechanic site of things, GURPS is probably your best bet."
"I used GURPs for when I was playing in a SP campaign and it worked pretty well for me."
"I'd personally recommend GURPS."
"Most anything from GURPS to blades in the dark."
"They’d prefer GURPS, and I can see it handling all of this quite well."
#2
Savage Worlds
4.2
(16)
"Savage Worlds - Necessary Evil."
"Savage Worlds with the Super Powers companion seems like a good fit."
"I like to use Savage Worlds for that."
"If you want to lean into the narrative and not worry about looking up rules try fate accelerated."
"If you want larger battles and ease of GMing, I'd suggest Savage Worlds."
"I'd start from those."
"Savage worlds or Swords of the Serpentine."
"Savage Worlds is a nice midpoint and there are some third party books."
"Something Savage Worlds would do fairly well."
"Savage Worlds (I like Adventure Edition) is my go-to for pulp action."
#3
Stars Without Number
4.5
(11)
"Stars Without Number would be a half step away from D&D."
"You might want to check out Stars Without Number."
"Kevin Crawford's games (Stars Without Number et. al.) have great faction systems."
"I'd recommend Stars Without Number."
"Check out Stars Without Number."
"Stars without number would be a good bet."
"Twilight 2000."
"Stars without number."
"Stars Without Number, which is free and very much related to D&D."
"Stars Without Number actually uses 2d6 (+ stat/rank) for skills."
#4
FATE
4.2
(11)
"Is my go-to when adapting any IP into an rpg."
"FATE is the best option probably."
"Fate."
"I probably would use Fate or Cortex Prime."
"Fate would really let you play the AI as the game master, and it would let you do the same stacking that they do."
"I used Fate and MASKS for a group of 5th graders a few times and they tended to latch onto the rules fairly easily."
"FATE would do this well. If its still being published in some form, there was a game called Spirit of the Century."
"I suppose my inclination would be something high-powered like FATE."
"I think Fate fits what you're describing pretty well."
"FATE is really good."
#5
Call of Cthulhu
4.8
(8)
"Call of Cthulhu, specifically Pulp Cthulhu, is probably the best choice for this kind of game."
"Call of Cthulhu (especially 7th edition) works really well for solo play."
"Call of Cthulhu would fit nicely, it's mostly a horror/investigation game."
"Call of Cthulhu or Kult Divinity Lost would probably be two of the better horror options."
"Call of Cthulhu should work pretty well, really like the system :)."
"Call of Cthulhu, Silent Legions"
"Has four of them (Alone against the...)"
"Call of Cthulhu can definitely elicit the same vibes."
#6
Ironsworn
4.8
(6)
"Fantastic more narrative driven game. Its Rules are quite straightforward and completely free online."
"Cooperative play (GM is optional) and the world building / prep is part of play."
"I second on Ironsworn being so awesome."
"Ironsworn is a great option for this."
"Check out Ironsworn. It is pretty simple to pick up."
"Ironsworn."
#7
Forbidden Lands
4.7
(6)
"Forbidden lands"
"Amazing production value, and the travel and hex crawl system means you can have an almost purely iterative sessions with basically 0 GM prep."
"Forbidden lands would be great since its basically an entire system built for hex crawling."
"You might want to check out Forbidden Lands."
"We use forbidden lands, it works great for us with a few magic changes."
"I figure that would be far less prep requiring than playing a published adventure."
#8
Delta Green
4.8
(5)
"I'd recommend Delta Green."
"Delta Green has all the stats and characteristics for espionage, covert ops, guns etc."
"Delta Green should work flawlessly."
"Look at **Delta Green**, it is modern para military/government agents using Basic RPG D100 system."
"My top picks for consideration would be Delta Green, Monster of the Week, KULT: Divinity Lost."
#9
Chronicles of Darkness
4.6
(5)
"Chronicles of Darkness has extensive offerings in this space and is renown for a reason."
"Chronicles of Darkness does excellent modern investigation, with a gritty horror tinge."
"I'd recommend the Chronicles of Darkness."
"Chronicles of Darkness in one of its Dark Eras settings?"
"Chronicles of Darkness make a good basis for any modern occult stuff."
#10
Cypher System
4.2
(5)
"For a System that is easy to run, create characters, and modify with plenty of examples and guidance, check out the Cypher System"
"Probably Cypher system... The Strange is using it it may worth a read"
"Improv is mega easy, it's how I run."
"Cypher system, since so very many of the episodes focus on the relationships between the characters."
"Look at the Cypher System."
#11
RuneQuest
4.2
(5)
"I recommend you check out RuneQuest and the world of Glorantha."
"Rules/Mechanics - Runequest (Miyazaki is rumoured to play it and have based some of the games systems on it)."
"Has some."
"I think it can check all of your criterias."
"Runequest (If you want the glorantha setting) or Mythras (if you don't)."
#12
Mythras
4.0
(5)
"Mythras, Burning Wheel, GURPS, WHFRP, Zweihander."
"It’s a variant of the BRP system with a detailed combat system."
"Mythras by design mechanism, a brp variant game."
"Mythras is a good choice."
"Mythras combat is brutal."
#13
Genesys
4.0
(5)
"Genesys is a strong narratively focused system that might work and someone already made a something strange setting for it"
"I really enjoy Genesys for its bridging of narrative and light crunch."
"I'd recommend Genesys but it has a lousy commercial licensing."
"You could also try the Genesys or the Gurps systems."
"Genesys is a fantastic system that’s awesome for role play."
#14
Shadow of the Demon Lord
4.8
(4)
"If You just want something like Dark fantasy with engaging combat then: 1) Shadow of the Demon Lord - for true grimdark and more lethality."
"Have you checked out Shadow of the Demon Lord?"
"Highly recommended."
"Shadow of the Demon Lord is definitely a possibility"
#15
Godbound
4.5
(4)
"Godbound is designed from the ground up for Godlike campaigns."
"I think Exemplars and Eidolons is perfect for this, or Godbound."
"Godbound is good but it’s got changes to make enemies able to survive multiple players."
"Godbound : https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/185959/Godbound-A-Game-of-Divine-Heroes-Free-Edition."
#16
Cthulhu Dark
4.5
(4)
"Cthulhu Dark is the place to start."
"You want light?
Cthulhu Dark 2e"
"Maybe you can pick an idea or two from this awesome Cthulhu Dark hack"
"If you want to lean into the Horror: Cthulhu Dark."
#17
Dungeon World
4.3
(4)
"It requires little to no prep, worldbuilding is done while gaming."
"Both are great for the gamestyle balance you mention, don't have an established setting and encourage/allow much fewer GM prep than 5e."
"Another possibility are more narrative games like Dungeon World that are not so much simulators/game engines as story generators."
"Dungeon World is very easy for players."
#18
Mutants and Masterminds
4.3
(4)
"Mutants and Masterminds"
"Mutants an Masterminds."
"Mutants and Masterminds."
"I would probably lean towards using Mutants and Masterminds."
#19
Worlds Without Number
4.0
(4)
"You should check out Worlds Without Number and Cities Without Number."
"Worlds without Number or maybe Godbound by Sine Nomine could work well."
"It's similar enough to DnD that there's going to be less of a learning curve difficulty."
"Worlds without numbers deluxe editions have rules for heroic characters."
#20
Traveller
4.0
(4)
"The rules absolutely support low-tech worlds, and the psionic rules may cover you for fantasy."
"I'd use Traveller (for low-hp mortals) or SWN (for powerful high-hp swashbucklers)."
"Traveler. Combat is deadly and as long as you stay away from Plasma/laser/gauss weapons."
"Prison Planet."
#21
Legend of the Five Rings
4.0
(4)
"Legend of Five Rings is the big one, 4E or 5E depending on which mechanics you like."
"L5R is a good fantasy Japanese themed game."
"Legend of the five rings"
"Legend of five rings is a genre classic for fantasy/medieval Japan."
#22
Gumshoe
4.0
(4)
"GUMSHOE's Timewatch maybe. Or King in Yellow."
"I'd go with Gumshoe, most likely Fear Itself, or perhaps Trail of Cthulhu."
"If you want to focus on the investigation side of it, use Gumshoe."
"Quickshock gumshoe could work."
#23
Paranoia
5.0
(3)
"Is the best system for every concept."
"My favorite one shot system: Paranoia."
"My favorite one shot system: Paranoia. It’s fairly simple, fast, and fun."
#24
Dread
5.0
(3)
"The first option is to go with a horror game that encourages death, like Dread."
"Dread. You just need a jenga tower, paper and pencils."
"Dread – Horror that uses a Jenga Tower instead of dice."
#25
Mythic Bastionland
5.0
(3)
"I would say the upcoming Mythic Bastionland gets the closest."
"If you are looking for a game for the Exploration and Mood/Ambience, then I'd 100% recommend Mythic Bastionland."
"Mythic Bastionland is a medieval fantasy hexcrawl heavily inspired by Elden Ring."
#26
Dark Heresy 2e
5.0
(3)
"I’d recommend it a lot."
"I'd recommend Dark Heresy 2e."
"Either Dark Heresy (recommend the second edition) or Imperium Maledictum."
#27
Mutant Year Zero
4.7
(3)
"Mutant Year Zero"
"Mutant Year Zero. Has all the needs."
"Mutant Year Zero"
#28
Burning Wheel
4.3
(3)
"Sounds like it could pair up well in this situation!"
"I've found Burning Wheel to be a good 1v1 system as well."
"Burning Wheel is (supposedly) great for duets."
#29
Kult: Divinity Lost
4.3
(3)
"Call of Cthulhu or Kult Divinity Lost would probably be two of the better horror options."
"Try Kult: Divinity Lost."
"Kult: Divinity Lost has a free "stranded on a tropical island" scenario that might be worth looking at."
#30
Savage Worlds Adventure Edition
4.3
(3)
"I find that quite often the best system that fits a setting that isn't out there is Savage Worlds Adventure Edition."
"A good neutral system for pulp combat. Easily modded and has dozens of things you can include or not include to fit your world."
"Savage worlds adventure edition by pinnacle entertainment group would work very well as a generic rules system."
#31
Trinity Continuum
4.3
(3)
"Especially Aeon if you want space stuff in the future."
"For modern spycraft I have had great success with Trinity Continuum and Trinity Assassins."
"Trinity continuum core using storypath system by onyxpath."
#32
Reign
4.3
(3)
"Reign. It has rules for organizations from gangs to guilds to cults to empires."
"Seconding Reign."
"Greg Stolze's Reign is pretty much made for this premise."
#33
Band of Blades
4.0
(3)
"The players take the role of the 'Legion'. A mercenary band on the retreat."
"Band of Blades Is about a legion of soldiers in a fighting retreat from an army of the undead."
"Is perhaps close?"
#34
City of Mist
4.0
(3)
"City of Mist."
"Take a look at more narrative games like city of mist."
"Maybe City of Mist? PBTA should be relatively easy to work with."
#35
Vaesen
4.0
(3)
"If more mystery and detective vibe then maybe Vaesen?"
"Take a look at Vaesen by Free League."
"If you want a lighter system that still provides systems dealing with the horror and wonder of Fae type creatures, check out Vaesen."
#36
Cortex Prime
4.0
(3)
"It's a build your own system kind of game."
"The standard answer for requests for Fate with more crunch is Cortex Prime."
"I'm sure you could build something via Cortex Prime."
#37
Hero System
4.0
(3)
"Would be excellent if you enjoy learning systems and taking time to tweak and define things."
"Hero System would likely work and be flexible enough"
#38
Imperium Maledictum
5.0
(2)
"Imperium Maledictum has EXACTLY this."
"I appreciate people like them... but for new people, Imperium Maledictum is a way more modern ruleset."
#39
Basic Fantasy RPG
5.0
(2)
"Its OSR Dnd so you already know how to run it"
"[Basic Fantasy RPG] is worth looking at."
#40
Tenra Bansho Zero
4.5
(2)
"If you want 'Hyper Asian Fantasy' with a very high-action, shounen anime feel, Tenra Bansho Zero is by far the best I've seen."
"I would either recommend the delightful, anime-action inspired, 'Tenra Bansho Zero'."
#41
Monster of the Week
4.5
(2)
"My vote would go to Monster of the Week."
"I would go with Monster of the Week."
#42
Fragged Empire 2
4.5
(2)
"I can wholeheartedly recommend Fragged Empire 2."
"If you don't mind a little crunch then you might like Fragged Empire 2."
#43
Lancer
4.5
(2)
"Lancer. Its literally a mecha system."
"I’ve heard very good things about Lancer."
#44
Scarlet Heroes
4.5
(2)
"Scarlet Heroes by Kevin Crawford was designed for 1 on 1 RPGing."
"You can use the rules from Scarlet Heroes/Solo Heroes and apply them to any OSR systems."
#45
The Black Hack
4.5
(2)
"[The Black Hack] 2e (TBH) is one of my favorite games especially for one shots."
"There's always The Black Hack."
#46
Kids On Bikes
4.5
(2)
"Sounds like a job for *Kids On Bikes* to me."
"I’d look at Kids On Bikes and Brindlewood Bay."
#47
Symbaroum
4.5
(2)
"A fast-paced and flexible rule-set for creating player characters and acting in the game world."
"If you want something darker try Symbaroum."
#48
Feng Shui
4.5
(2)
"Feng Shui 2
It just feels like the movie."
"Feng Shui has a fantasy wuxia subsetting so I recommend that."
#49
Scum and Villainy
4.5
(2)
"Genuinely shocked that I'm the first one recommending Scum & Villainy."
"Personally, I’d go with Scum & Villiany."
#50
Rangers of Shadow Deep
4.5
(2)
"I would recommend Rangers of Shadow Deep."
"Another one worth a look is Rangers of Shadow Deep."
#51
OVA
4.5
(2)
"OVA let's you design your own attack and defense abilities."
"I'll add OVA (Open Versatile Anime) to the list."
#52
Old School Essentials
4.5
(2)
"I’d highly recommend *Old School Essentials*."
"Probably some form of old school D&D, maybe try Old School Essentials."
#53
World of Darkness
4.5
(2)
"World of darkness could work."
"World of Darkness (it have subversion to play mortal hunters) to Warhammer."
#54
Mork Borg
4.5
(2)
"Mork Borg is the way."
"I would probably go with Mork Borg, but the classes are a little extreme for how the characters start out in Berserk."
#55
Pathfinder 2E
4.5
(2)
"They publish Adventure Paths (full on 1-20 campaigns that will take dozens of sessions to play through)."
"Pathfinder2e may be worth checking out."
#56
Fabula Ultima
4.5
(2)
"Fabula Ultima is a tabletop game that's meant to play like a JRPG."
"Players are encouraged to do shared worldbuilding with the GM."
#57
Fiasco
4.0
(2)
"Fiasco is a good example."
"Fiasco – Coen-brothers-esque game about people with high ambitions and poor impulse control."
#58
Shadowrun
4.0
(2)
"Shadowrun: a Gm friend has a running bet that he can make anything with the system."
"For a dice pool system, you might look at Shadowrun."
#59
Tricube Tales
4.0
(2)
"I'd suggest looking at something as simple as Tricube Tales."
"You could also look into Tricube Tales. Completely free and has solo rules."
#60
Gamma World
4.0
(2)
"Gamma World (multiple editions, pick whichever you want because they mostly differ in the mechanics)"
"I would go with Gamma World."
#61
Cypher
4.0
(2)
"One idea might be Cypher."
"Cypher might be worth a look - not sure how well it incorporates survival but it's definitely lighter and more narrative than 5e."
#62
Numenera
4.0
(2)
"Numenera."
"Numenera."
#63
Unknown Armies
4.0
(2)
"I would probably use Unknown Armies or GURPS."
"I think this would probably work in *Unknown Armies*."
#64
Basic RolePlaying
4.0
(2)
"You should look in to BRP (Basic Roleplaying by Chaosium) or any of the Gumshoe games."
"Personally, I like BRP (short for Basic RolePlaying)."
#65
Risus
4.0
(2)
"I'd suggest looking at something as simple as Risus."
"Lasers & Feelings or any of its hacks."
#66
Ars Magica
4.0
(2)
"In case you need any more inspiration, take a look at Ars Magica."
"[Ars Magica]. Gritty realism: it has a death spiral."
#67
Deadlands Noir
4.0
(2)
"Has anyone mentioned Deadlands Noir, yet?"
"Did you check out Deadlands Noir?"
#68
Warhammer Fantasy RPG
4.0
(2)
"Warhammer Fantasy 2ed - immortal classic."
"Off the top of my head, Zweihänder or Warhammer Fantasy RPG."
#69
Hearts of Wulin
3.5
(2)
"Hearts of Wulin."
"Hearts of Wulin looks like it would work, just on a surface level brush of this."
#70
Rifts
3.5
(2)
"Rifts: older but the premise is that the Earth becomes unstable and rifts to other existances appear."
"Rifts probably"
#71
Changeling: The Lost
5.0
(1)
"We played a long campaign for Changeling the Lost some time back and I was blown away."
#72
Pathfinder
5.0
(1)
"[We Be Goblins!] was a Free RPG Day intro to Pathfinder 1e."
#73
Extinction
5.0
(1)
"I'm going to keep beating the drum for EXTINCTION until someone hears me."
#75
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
5.0
(1)
"Use the DnD 5E Basic Rules. It is a downloadable PDF available for free on the Wizards website."
#76
Heroes Unlimited
4.0
(1)
"Heroes Unlimited: I can make almost any power from comics with this system."
#77
Danger Patrol
4.0
(1)
"Danger Patrol!! retro sci-fi exactly for this."
#78
3:16 - Carnage Among the Stars
4.0
(1)
#79
The One Ring
4.0
(1)
"I had a great experience doing this with The One Ring."
#80
The Troubleshooters
4.0
(1)
"The Troubleshooters. On the manufacture webpage- Helmgast.se - you can find Quickstart rules."
#81
Five Parsecs from Home
4.0
(1)
"Five Parsecs from Home (or Five Leagues from the Borderlands if you prefer fantasy) seems like it might work for you."
#82
Liminal Horror
4.0
(1)
"This is a system for modern horror that is intentionally unshackled from the Cthulhu Mythos."
#83
Cities Without Number
4.0
(1)
"I'd probably use Cities Without Number with Other Dust for this."
#84
Bivius
4.0
(1)
"Bivius could lend itself well to this with the right framing."
#85
HeroQuest
4.0
(1)
"The game HeroQuest could make an interesting way to put players through a dungeon."
#86
Bully Pulpit Games
4.0
(1)
"The perfect RPG-like game for a Halloween party"
#87
Root RPG
4.0
(1)
"You might want to check out the Root RPG to see how it integrates with the Root boardgame."
#88
Outgunned by Two Little Mice
4.0
(1)
"Could work for the more action oriented, narrative focused games."
#89
A Torch in the Dark
4.0
(1)
"Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I've really enjoyed A Torch in the Dark."
#90
Night Black Agents
4.0
(1)
"On gumshoe."
#91
D&D
4.0
(1)
"For ready made adventures D&D is probably the top game and Call of Cthulhu, which is not fantasy, is probably second."
#92
EZD6
4.0
(1)
"EZD6 is a rules light system that in some ways resembles 5e which makes for a relative smooth transition later on."
#93
EABA
4.0
(1)
"I know two dice pool based systems that might work for you. EABA is a d6 based dice pool generic system."
#94
Car Lesbians
3.0
(1)
"There’s an RPG called "Car Lesbians"."
#95
Dune TTRPG
3.0
(1)
"I heard the new dune ttrpg is based on intriguing, politics and stuff."
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