Tabletop Rpg reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 184 Reddit reviews across 18 subreddits and 34 posts to rank the best Tabletop Rpg brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/rpg, r/Miniaturespainting, r/dndnext, r/boardgames, r/startrek. Top-rated brands include GURPS (4.3/5), Shadowdark (4.7/5), Wizards of the Coast (3.6/5).
Stats
Reviews184
Subreddits18
Posts34
Brands94
Products20
184 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
GURPS
4.3
(9)
"Everything else? GURPS."
"GURPS would be my default recommendation."
"GURPS Martial Arts + Chambara optional rules remains the answer. Fast combat, easy to run, very detailed."
"My personal favourite in this regard is GURPS."
"GURPS or BESM would probably be your best bets."
"GURPS and FATE are both good for any kind of play."
"When in DOUBT, GURPS. It stands for "Generic Universal Role-Playing System", and is meant to be playable in any possible setting."
"Or GURPS not. There is no try."
"GURPS has a great variety in magic, regarding to spells as well as system variants but is poor when it comes to the narrative drive of a story."
#2
Shadowdark
4.7
(7)
"Shadowdark. Kelsey is a phenomenal module (and now system) writer."
"Shadowdark. Kelsey is a phenomenal module (and now system) writer."
"Shadowdark, it's the first OSR game I've gotten into, and actually want to try GMing. The book is very well written, and direct too."
"Shadowdark Simple system, fun, a joy to use such an elegantly written and presented rule book."
"Shadowdark, it was my first time playing an OSR game and I was sold, the book is very well written and direct, the pace change was significant on my group that was used to dnd5e"
"Shadowdark"
"Is recommend either Shadowdark or Adventurous, depending on what they are looking for. Shadowdark is sort of an old school DnD game."
#3
Wizards of the Coast
3.6
(9)
"5e is a perfect introduction, but don't limit players solely to 5."
"Would I recommend 5e? Yes."
"I'll go with D&D 5e simply because it's the most played"
"DnD is medium complex TTRPG with the focus on tactical combat and high fantasy. If you are looking for that, it is perfect to start with."
"In the abstract, 5e is a fine game for anyone to start with."
"5e is primarily a DM focused storytelling game. The DM does the majority of the world and NPC creation, so it is light lifting for players."
"While dnd is not a bad choice, depending on the players and their interests, it might be better to start with a powers my the apocalypse game."
"5e D&D is a medium-to-high complexity game mechanically, and I'd generally rather introduce new players using a simpler system (e.g., Barbarians of Lemuria)."
"5e is super fucking expensive. 3 core books at 30-40$ each."
#4
Savage Worlds
3.9
(8)
"I'd go with Savage Worlds. Not perfect, it works pretty solid for swashing that buckle and can be used for many other settings."
"Nothing changes, I still use Savage Worlds or Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies."
"Savage Worlds But if you want something more specific, kind of the only option is 7th Seas."
"Swashbuckling is just pulp action with swords. And for pulp action, you turn to Savage Worlds as a first question of would this fit?"
"There's a great supliment for Savage Worlds called 'Savage sleeves'."
"Savage Worlds lends itself to all sorts of genres."
"You could use a generic point-buy system like Savage Worlds."
"Savage Worlds, crap the art in the box is about playing with kids in a hospital."
#5
Modiphius
4.2
(5)
"Star Trek Adventures is THE TT RPG for Star Trek. As my GM puts it, "it's a great Star Trek episode simulator.""
"Just tossing another vote in here for Star Trek Adventures. It's not just a good system, it's a great system for replicating the feel of an episode of Star Trek."
"I would recommend Star Trek Adventures, it has the style of a Star Trek episode as someone has already said and it has great class features"
"Star Trek Adventures is definitely the most popular atm lots of supplements coming out"
"Modiphius have released Star Trek Adventures which I didn't get along with (found it too fiddly) but which has plenty of fans."
#6
Scum and Villainy
4.5
(4)
"To me it is *the* quintessential Space Opera Western TTRPG on the market."
"Completely original setting and mechanics."
"Or the actual Firefly rpg."
"Scum and villainy works if they are a crew who take jobs like say Firefly."
#7
Runequest
4.5
(4)
"The worldbuild of Glorantha is on par with Tolkien and Frank Herbert."
"Runequest"
"Rune Quest, Rifts, Coriolis, Talislanta, Warhammer FRP, Space 1889, SLA Industries, Mouseguard"
"Why not try Runequest?"
#8
Fate
4.5
(4)
"Look into FATE. Very simple and flexible."
"My first instinct would be something FATE based."
"Almost any narrative system would probably work fine."
"I've run an SCP themed game using FATE."
#9
Fantasy Flight
4.5
(4)
"The Fantasy Flight line is great. The beginner’s kit (there are three) was a great first time GMing experience for me. Lots of fun."
"You mean the fantasy flight ones like Edge of the Empire? I love it. Tons of fun."
"Edge of the empire. Force free and tons of fun ruleset"
"Edge of the Empire, Forces and Destiny, and Age of Rebellion are kind alike different, but compatible games."
#10
Genesys
4.3
(4)
"Genesys is deeply misunderstood as it is a traditional RPG with the name "narrative" attached to it repeatedly but it has mechanical weight to it and sits in a really nice space between crunchy games and lite games."
"Genesys"
"I'm currently running one using Genesys."
"Its got a good system with a lot of room for customization."
#11
Pathfinder
4.3
(4)
"Pathfinder 2e encourages engagement. There is very little 'checking phones while waiting for my turn'."
"I'd recommend Pathfinder."
"Pf1 has a free to use srd that has explanations for the differences for anyone familiar with 3.5. It basically fixes all the issues 3.5 had imho."
"Pathfinder 2e Remaster."
#12
Fabula Ultima
4.0
(4)
"Fabula ultima also has somewhat tactical combat without a grid."
"So many cool game design decisions to Fabula Ultima. Unfortunately, it's probably a bit crunchier than I tend to run, so it's unlikely I ever will."
"So many cool game design decisions to Fabula Ultima. Unfortunately, it's probably a bit crunchier than I tend to run, so it's unlikely I ever will."
"Fabula Ultima is a hack of Ryuutama, evoking Final Fantasy with a simple but effective class system."
#13
Stars Without Number
5.0
(3)
"Stars Without Number has transhumanism rules and a whole bunch of stuff to support this."
"Stars without number is free for digital."
"[Stars Without Number] - the free version I linked has everything you need for a space western."
#14
Owlbear Rodeo
4.7
(3)
"I have use almost all the others and I keep going back to owlbear. incredibly simple and straightforward to use."
"Owlbear rodeo for dnd 5e rocks"
"If the rpg not complete and hard, you may try the Owlbear rodeo as well. It's more easily to learn the basics of webb-app and run your games solo or complete ttrpg, no matter."
#15
Unknown Armies
4.7
(3)
"Unknown Armies really hits close to SCP's themes."
"I'd recommend Unknown Armies."
"I’ve used Unknown Armies successfully for this in the past."
#16
City of Mist
4.7
(3)
"Love City of Mist. The Mythos Themes could be God Aspects and the Logos the Weapons/Inate Abilities."
"I would really look into City of Mist. Granted it’s a lot more storytelling related than a typical d20 system, but the possibilities are absolutely endless"
"City of Mist (PbtA)"
#17
Dungeon World
4.7
(3)
"It changed my way of playing."
"First thing that comes to mind is Dungeon World."
"So - it sounds like you want no classes. That throws **Dungeon World**."
#18
Pirate Borg
4.3
(3)
"Pirate Borg, I know it's been a thing for a while but retail release was September, love every little thing about PB"
"Pirate Borg is the only Borg game I've ever flipped through and thought damn, this seems fun!"
"Pirate Borg. Hosted one session so far and it can only be described as “effortlessly hilarious”."
#19
Shield of Tomorrow
5.0
(2)
"I cannot recommend shield of tomorrow highly enough!"
"Seconded. I've been watching Shield of Tomorrow on YouTube and it's a hell of a lot of fun."
#20
Alien RPG
5.0
(2)
"Alien RPG is dope."
"I highly suggest the Alien RPG by Free League."
#21
7th Seas
5.0
(2)
"7th seas 2e. This would be my answer no matter what."
"7th Sea 2e. If anyone tries to convince me otherwise I will fight them."
#22
Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth
5.0
(2)
"Personally I like playing games that use an App as the AI. Games like Lord of the Rings - Journeys in Middle Earth."
"If you arent spooked by app assisted games, my partner and I love Lord of the Rings: Journeys in middle earth."
#23
Descent: Legends of the Dark
5.0
(2)
"Descent: Legends of the Dark is a great tabletop rpg you can play by yourself."
"Games like Descent - Legends of the dark."
#24
Hero Kids
5.0
(2)
"I run Hero Kids for 5-12 year olds at work."
"Hero Kids. Simple rules. D6 based."
#25
Paizo
5.0
(2)
"+1 for Foundry VTT and Pathfinder 2e!"
"I'm biased because it's my system of choice, but even so, Pathfinder2e may be worth checking out."
#26
Cairn
5.0
(2)
"Easy to pick up with tons of flexibility for roleplay."
"Cairn is a pulp fantasy game fashioned with oldschool play in mind."
#27
Fari.app
5.0
(2)
"It's possible to create an automated sheets template and share it with all the players."
"It’s a free, lightweight vtt that allows you to create custom sheets."
#28
Cities Without Number
5.0
(2)
"Cities Without Number has been my favorite genuinely new release this year. Everything that's great about Shadowrun, but without the needless confusion of rules."
"Cities Without Number for sure. It’s a well-designed and simplified cyberpunk-themed system with the stylings of an old-school RPG."
#29
Mythras
5.0
(2)
"Mythras/Runequest has the most interesting/realistic melee fighting system I have played."
"Mythras, if you want to play with some depth, and decent rules for naval combat, still provides the most dynamic and versatile combat system."
#30
Shadowrun
4.5
(2)
"To expand on this - if you like shadowrun you should absolutely do yourself a favor and play it. The combat is lethal, like it should be while streamlining it."
"I really enjoyed the world building and aesthetic of Shadowrun..."
#31
Die
4.5
(2)
"DIE rpg hands down. Really enjoyed it and with a strong rp party it's amazing."
"Die is a great mix of meta and storytelling, with each class symbolized by a Dice."
#32
Salvage Union
4.5
(2)
"I backed on a whim, but was really pleasantly surprised by Salvage Union. There is so much content, such a deep world, and well thought out mechanics."
"I backed on a whim, but was really pleasantly surprised by Salvage Union. I love the art direction in that book as well..."
#33
Plaid Hat Games
4.5
(2)
"Check out Plaid Hat Games for Mice and Mystics, Stuffed Fables (+ it's expansion), and the most recent Familiar Tales. These are generally exceptional family games with a larger emphasis on the story."
"Mice and Mystics is pretty fun at 2p"
#34
Delta Green
4.5
(2)
"Mechanically exact to what you need."
"Call of Cthulhu or Delta Green RPG could handle SCP."
#35
Dragonbane
4.5
(2)
"Dragonbane for sure. I just can't get over how good this game is!"
"Dragonbane is pretty neat. While not a new game, the revised BRP is well worth having."
#36
Rangers of the Shadowdeep
4.0
(2)
"There is also Rangers of the Shadowdeep. I haven’t played this yet but it’s the commonly recommended solo skirmish wargame."
"It's a pure miniatures game with RPG elements. Can be played co-op or solo."
#37
Chaosium
4.0
(2)
"Basic Roleplaying Universal Game Engine from Chaosium"
"Personal favorite systems (BRP/Mythras)"
#38
Swords of the Serpentine
4.0
(2)
"Swords of the Serpentine. I have resolved that if I ever run the world of 7th Sea, it’ll be with this flexible, lightweight system."
"Swords of the Serpentine."
#39
Anima Prime
4.0
(2)
"As far as FF inspired stuff goes, I would use Anima Prime (free) to capture the vibe of action montages"
"Take a look at [Anima Prime]."
#40
Bubblegumshoe
4.0
(2)
"Might work."
"Tales from the Loop/Flood is more SciFi-ki."
#41
Insubordinate
4.0
(2)
"Insubordinate is available in 9th Level's "Level 1" anthology this year, and it's there along with a lot of really good other games too."
"Insubordinate by Jim Dagg! He lists FF XIII & VII as primary influences for the game."
#42
Year Zero Engine
4.0
(2)
"Roll several d6 at once and count all 6's as successes"
"Year Zero Engine is pretty cool. I specially like the Forbidden Lands one."
#43
Ultraviolet Grasslands
5.0
(1)
"Ultraviolet Grasslands - A post-apocalyptic fantasy Oregon Trail with feline overlords. Yes please."
#44
Augur VTT
5.0
(1)
"The Augur VTT was built for Ironsworn and Starforged. It’s linked on the Ironsworn website and available on itch.io Works great!"
#45
Free League
5.0
(1)
"Free League has the best license currently with the best srd for the best rules system on the market, period."
#46
Ironsworn Companion
5.0
(1)
"Ironsworn has several different browser-based aids which handle 100% of the game for you. I prefer Ironsworn Companion but I think they are all generally interchangeable."
#47
Snow
5.0
(1)
"Songbirds 3e and .dungeon//remastered are two GOTY contenders... and they're both by Snow!"
#48
Gloomhaven
5.0
(1)
"I had an absolute blast playing Gloomhaven solo."
#49
13th Age
5.0
(1)
"Well I still think 13th age is the best answer from the games I know."
#50
Mythras Imperative
5.0
(1)
"Mythras by a mile for Fantasy. By default, it doesn't use grids (there is a supplement for it). Mythras Imperative is free."
#51
Foundry VTT
5.0
(1)
"+1 for Foundry VTT and Pathfinder 2e!"
#52
Burning Wheel
5.0
(1)
"All of the Burning Wheels's games (Burning Wheel, Torchbearer, and Mouse Guard,) use a sort of rock-paper-scissors combat mechanics that I quite enjoy."
#53
Jaws of the Six Serpents
4.0
(1)
"Jaws of the Six Serpents. Swords of the Serpentine."
#54
FIST
4.0
(1)
"FIST: Ultra Edition since It's what I wanna play lmfao."
#55
ICON
4.0
(1)
"ICON, currently a free playtest, is the most FF game I've ever encountered."
#56
Blackbirds
4.0
(1)
"Blackbirds, an extremely well designed game with a lot of character liberty with a lot of depths while managing to keep things really simple"
#57
Dark Heresy
4.0
(1)
"Dark heresy first edition, a chaotic and very gritty game filled with insane ideas for dark and deadly adventures"
#58
Winterblood
4.0
(1)
"I have a suggestion: Winterblood"
#59
Corruption
4.0
(1)
"Corruption, dark magic, swords, conspiracy, and exploration in fantasy Venice... count me in."
#60
Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast
4.0
(1)
"Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast is a game that pushes the definition of RPG, but I like it a lot."
#61
Seven Voyages of Zylarthen
4.0
(1)
"Seven Voyages of Zylarthen, unless your committed to edgy darkness. A pretty complete toolkit for fantasy play."
#62
Talislanta
4.0
(1)
"Talislanta, Chronicles of Darkness, Urban Arcana, Warhammer Fantasy, Aberrant, Adventure!, and Rifts"
#63
Descent 3rd edition
4.0
(1)
"You might like Runebound or Descent 3rd edition."
#64
Vampire: The Masquerade
4.0
(1)
"How about Vampire: The Masquerade, or Legend of the Five Rings"
#65
Cy_Borg
4.0
(1)
"Cy_Borg, which released about a year ago. Definitely a quality system for rules-light cyberpunk games."
#66
Old Gods of Appalachia
4.0
(1)
"Old Gods of Appalachia."
#67
Kingdom Death Monster
4.0
(1)
"Kingdom Death Monster is a bit insane but offers loosely guided role playing type game play and really intriguing combat."
#68
The true OSR
4.0
(1)
"The true OSR: Obsolete shitty rules. One of the funniest games i ever played."
#69
Household
4.0
(1)
"Household - Its setting is unique enough to be interesting but not so unique to be work and its rules are very simple to understand and pick up."
#70
BREAK!!!
4.0
(1)
"BREAK!!! Has been a delight. Studio Ghibli, Thundercats, AtLA, all big inspirations for the design of that game. And very simple rules."
#71
Imperium Maledictum
4.0
(1)
"Imperium Maledictum, streamlined rules to roleplay in one of the most interesting, dark, and epic universes ever created."
#72
Warhammer Fantasy RPG 3rd edition
4.0
(1)
"Warhammer fantasy rpg 3rd edition is from what I know also really interesting (above fabula ultima for sure)"
#73
The Wildsea
4.0
(1)
"I think it came out this year? Regardless, The Wildsea for sure."
#74
Mythic Space
4.0
(1)
"Personally the other game I'd add to the list is Mythic Space. Very tight mechanical innovation of BitD tied to a clear but classic setting."
#75
Mythic Bastionland
4.0
(1)
"Mythic Bastionland, tho it’s not completely out yet. Also Knave 2E."
#76
Barbarians of Lemuria
4.0
(1)
"I have Barbarians of Lemuria, it looks great."
#77
Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies
4.0
(1)
"Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies is a much swashbucklier game than Honor + Intrigue anyhow."
#78
9thLevelGames
4.0
(1)
"The 9thLevelGames Awesome world are great for kids. I would highly recommend checking them out."
#79
Roll20
4.0
(1)
"I like Roll20. I'm aware that Foundry has more features and only requires a one-time purchase fee (instead of a subscription), but I just find Roll20's interface to be more user friendly."
#80
Knight : Avalon
4.0
(1)
"Knight : Avalon got an edition in English coming. It could be the right mix for you."
#81
His Majesty The Worm
4.0
(1)
"Really been loving how His Majesty The Worm does its tactical combat. It's not grid based (though there are "zones" if that counts.)"
#82
The Isofarian Guard
4.0
(1)
"I've really enjoyed The Isofarian Guard and Agemonia solo."
#83
Agemonia
4.0
(1)
"I've really enjoyed The Isofarian Guard and Agemonia solo."
#84
Forbidden Psalm
4.0
(1)
"Forbidden Psalm is a solo skirmish game based on Mork Borg. Its rules light and has a decent size following."
#85
Star Wars - Imperial Assault
4.0
(1)
"Games like Star wars - Imperial assault."
#86
Massive Darkness 2
4.0
(1)
"I like to play Massive darkness 2."
#87
Darklight Memento Mori
4.0
(1)
"Darklight Memento Mori mixes up some things so it plays much like the old Warhammer Quest."
#88
Arkham Horror 2nd edition
4.0
(1)
"Games like Arkham Horror 2nd edition offer a mix of things."
#89
Runebound
4.0
(1)
"You might like Runebound or Descent 3rd edition."
#90
Girl By Moonlight
3.0
(1)
"Girl By Moonlight Dragonbane"
#91
Thr Contract RPG
3.0
(1)
"Thr Contract RPG is in prerelease and out of beta."
#92
Xenoplicity
3.0
(1)
"Xenoplicity on drivethrurpg."
#93
MCDM RPG
3.0
(1)
"Check out MCDM RPG. It's not officially released yet, but based on what's been talked about in their Twitch streams, it sounds pretty cool."
#94
EZD6
3.0
(1)
"EZD6"
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