Best ttrpg system on Reddit

230 reviews from r/rpg, r/TheNinthHouse, r/TTRPG and 15 more subreddits

230 reviews from

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By Brand

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GURPS

4.0

(21)

"It has a vast number of specialised source books and it's almost infinitely customisable."

"GURPS. The group I've been playing with since the late 80's runs all kinds of campaigns."

"Both Gurps and Fate will work fine for this sort of thing."

"GURPS Is A Good System For This."

"Have you looked into GURPS? I don't have much experience with it."

"GURPS does historically accurate games well."

"GURPS Old West"

"Some generics like Scion works, and if you have time, use GURPS."

"Gurps."

"Gurps is very front-loaded and can feel quite inaccessible."

Savage Worlds

4.2

(12)

"Savage Worlds with the Magic and Space 1889 supplements?"

"Savage Worlds fits all these things!"

"Savage Worlds is my go to for most RPG stuff nowadays."

"Savage worlds with the superhero companion and the latest version of necessary evil."

"I'll also throw out Savage Worlds for your consideration."

"If you want heroic characters, then Savage Worlds is a good bet."

"Savage worlds is great for cinematic feeling games."

"Pretty much any universal/generic system could handle this easily. Savage Worlds, Fate, Fudge."

"Maybe Savage Worlds or Genesys?"

"Savage Worlds would support this with the Sci-fi companion."

Delta Green

4.6

(9)

"Delta Green is the go-to for a modern, gritty paranormal investigation type game."

"Delta Green"

"I'm shocked nobody has mentioned Delta Green."

"Delta Green was basically invented for this."

"**Delta Green**, with the community aspect mostly set by you the GM."

"Personally I would go with Delta Green for a more horror themed game."

"DG is already about a group of (non)-governmental agents attempting to contain eldritch monstrosities."

"My thought is either Delta Green if you all aren't going to have access to magic."

"If you want more realistic and grounded, Delta Green could work."

Cypher System

4.3

(9)

"Cypher Systems, super simple way to make your characters, you can make almost anything."

"I suggest Cypher System from Monte Cook Games."

"Cypher System, and then check out the Numenera setting for the most esoteric fantasy ideas ever."

"I feel like the Cypher System by Monte Cook Games would be a good fit."

"Cypher System is a good option as mentioned by others."

"Personally I think The Cypher System would do pretty decently here."

"The cypher system just released a nice post-apocalyptic supplement."

"It's really flexible and it's on the rules-light side."

"Cypher System."

Call of Cthulhu

4.3

(9)

"Call of Cthulhu is my favorite but Gumshoe is also a really good system for detective games."

"*Down Darker Trails* for*Call of Cthulhu* works well as a realistic historical game."

"Of the two I would suggest Call of Cthulhu."

"I'd say Call of Cthulhu is probably closest to what people expect from a ttrpg."

"I think it was a good beginning system/setting, as a d% system is immediately understandable."

"For horror focus, you could do something with Call of Cthulhu."

"I cannot decide between one, so I will go with call of Cthulu and DND5e."

"I'd go with Call Of Cthulhu, maybe replacing attributes by skills."

Stars Without Number

4.1

(7)

"Stars without number with Codex of the Black Sun"

"Stars Without Number (sci-fi) with Worlds Without Number (fantasy)."

"I'd go with a Stars Without Number and it's magic system."

"Stars Without Number + Worlds Without Number (d20)"

"Stars Without Number, default setting have psionics as a scifi magic."

"My suggestion would be stars without number or Traveller as both are pretty good sci fi TTRPG."

"Stars Without Number, the paid version has mech rules that would cover what you are doing."

Quest

5.0

(5)

"If you have no experience at all, and no-one there to guide you, [Quest](https://adventure.game/) is a great option."

"[Quest](https://adventure.game/) is a great option designed for this purpose."

"The greatest 2 RPGs for kids are Quest and Land of Eem."

"As always I'm gonna recommend Quest and also Cypher System."

"I really love [Quest](https://www.adventure.game/). Free as a PDF, the physical books are cheap."

FATE

4.0

(6)

"You can try the Fate system for how customizable it is."

"FATE."

"Fate could be a good system for it."

"FATE on the game/drama side; there's a ton of 'quick intro to FATE' pamphlets."

"Very very very much the FATE systems."

"I would suggest either FATE for a more narrative approach."

Heavy Gear

4.2

(5)

"Heavy gear is your best bet."

"Heavy Gear ticks all the boxes but isn’t exactly setting agnostic."

"Heavy Gear - probably what you want."

"I'd recommend Heavy Gear for all your points but one- it's not setting agnostic."

"Heavy Gear/Jovian Chronicles is the only other choice I can think of."

#10

GUMSHOE

3.8

(5)

"Gumshoe might be a good bet"

"Look into the GUMSHOE family. It is investigation oriented and just uses a d6."

"There is a system called 'Gumshoe' that I’ve heard people highly recommend."

"Some derivative of the Gumshoe system would be best for some kinds of school plots."

"GUMSHOE is a system with mechanics to solve for this but the combat is definitely lacking."

#11

Starfinder

3.8

(5)

"Take a look into Starfinder."

"Starfinder does it all for you already."

"Starfinder. It’s pathfinder, in space."

"Starfinder might have something you're looking for."

"Maybe starfinder system?"

#12

Monster of the Week

4.0

(4)

"Monster of the Week with Delta Green as inspiration?"

"I would look at Monster of the Week, Dresden Files Fate, and Delta Green."

"Monster of the week. Its cinematic (televisorial?) In that it simulates, really well, an episode of xfiles."

"Monster of the week is inspired by Buffy."

#13

Genesys

4.0

(4)

"I can only really speak for Genesys, but I’d say it would probably be good fit."

"Genesys is setting neutral, and has fantasy and sci Fi setting books."

"Genesys system might work. It has fun narrative dice that encourages sweeping action scenes."

"The group I joined up with will be using Genesys for a MiA game."

#14

Powered by the Apocalypse

3.5

(4)

"I'd wager that there's a good PtbA (or whatnot) game that'd make for a great starting point."

"It's a versatile system focused around story over combat."

"I'd say maybe Powered by the Apocalypse but I don't know about combat mechanics."

"I bet the Powered by the Apocalypse family could accommodate it."

#15

The Strange

4.7

(3)

"The Strange is based around this premise."

"The Strange is specifically designed for this sort of thing."

"The Strange. Cypher system is easy to run."

#16

Tiny D6

4.3

(3)

"Check out the Tiny d6 system, it is easy and fast to play."

"Tiny D6 would be another good option."

"Check out the Tiny d6 system, it is easy and fast to play."

#17

Mekton Zeta

4.0

(3)

"You might want to check out Mekton Zeta, it's a setting-agnostic mecha RPG."

"Mekton Zeta - latest version, highly customizable."

"Mekton Zeta checks all of the boxes."

#18

Mutants and Masterminds

4.0

(3)

"My go-to supers game is always Mutants and Masterminds 3E."

"The superpower d20 game of choice has been Mutants and Masterminds forever now."

"The one I’d choose for something like this would be *Mutants and Masterminds.*"

#19

Index Card RPG

4.0

(3)

"I would check our ICRPG."

"Consider this another vote for Index Card RPG."

"Index Card RPG is a lightweight generic system you could potentially run multiple one-shots in."

#20

Worlds Without Number

4.0

(3)

"Worlds without number and stars without number are in the same Crawfordverse and have similar mechanics."

"The fantasy in Worlds Without Number is not quite as high as in 5e, but were I you, I'd use Worlds Without Number."

"There's a game called Worlds Without Number that would probably work well for low magic fantasy."

#21

Mutants & Masterminds

3.7

(3)

"My suggestion is either Mutants & Masterminds (my current favorite supers game) or Savage Worlds."

"You might want to look into Mutants and Masterminds."

"Maybe you can use something like Mutants & Masterminds, but in reality there’s no system that can balance the game."

#22

Exalted

3.7

(3)

"The answer to any question about eastern fantasy RPGs is always gonna be Exalted."

"5e, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulhu are all amazing systems, but my eyes were opened when I played 'Exalted'."

"Exalted is basically all about this but is the hottest mess ever to hot mess."

#23

Shadow of the Demon Lord

5.0

(2)

"I really like Shadow of the Demon Lord. It's a dead simple system that is easy to pick up."

"I have to say Shadow of the Demon Lord. It's dark and bleak, but also immensely satisfying to play."

#24

Mothership

5.0

(2)

"**Mothership**: few rules, lot of suspance, great fun!"

"Mothership is a quite simple d100 based scifi horror, very suitable for oneshots."

#25

Amazing Tales

4.5

(2)

"[Amazing Tales] and [Amazing Heroes] are both great systems for kids."

"The rules are super simple and anyone can pick them up."

#26

Shadowdark

4.5

(2)

"Shadowdark was the first game I saw with carousing."

"Shadowdark has a fun carousing system!"

#27

FATE Core

4.5

(2)

"Look in to [FATE Core]. It's a simple system designed to put story front and center."

"Try genetic narrative-ish systems (such as Fate Core and Cortex Plus/Prime)."

#28

Star Wars

4.5

(2)

"West End's Star Wars game is still terrific."

"Maybe the Star Wars RPG? You can take the system and leave the Star Wars out of it."

#29

Mythras

4.5

(2)

"I can really recommend Mythras for a low fantasy heroic adventure."

"[Mythras] has a brutal combat system with dodges, parries, hit locations."

#30

Marvel Multiverse RPG

4.0

(2)

"The current Marvel TTRPG, Marvel Multiverse RPG has a Spiderverse book coming out this summer."

"It's like literally marvel rpg with marvel pregen characters."

#31

Riddle of Steel

4.0

(2)

"Seems like a good spot to recommend Riddle of Steel."

"I also suggest looking at Riddle of Steel and Song of Swords."

#32

Lasers & Feelings

4.0

(2)

"Stuck to a really simple system. Lasers & Feelings or any one of its many hacks, or even just Roll for Shoe."

"Go lasers & feelings with its various hacks."

#33

Red Markets

4.0

(2)

"OP's description sounds like Red Markets to a T."

"*Red Markets* is very similar to what you are thinking of doing."

#34

Cortex Prime

4.0

(2)

"Cortex Prime is a good choice here."

"Cortex Prime could do it very well."

#35

Open Legend

4.0

(2)

"I'm partial to Open Legend, which is an open source ttrpg that focuses more on the role play and story elements."

"OpenLegend can do that pretty easily."

#36

FIST

4.0

(2)

"FIST is also quite good addition for paranormal operatives with fast paced and cinematic play."

"Another one you might take a look at is FIST."

#37

External Containment Bureau

4.0

(2)

"[External Containment Bureau] is my recommendation. Very rules-light, SCP/Control are touchstones for it."

"It was just on Kickstarter, but External Containment Bureau is probably a good one."

#38

City of Mist

4.0

(2)

"City of Mist could work if you can get behind its specific flavor of urban fantasy."

"City of Mist could do it."

#39

Infected!

4.0

(2)

"Infected! is what I would suggest."

"I backed *Infected!* during the KS. I think they did a good job, but it feels very specific to the setting."

#40

Pirate Borg

4.0

(2)

"Pirate Borg is pretty light and fun."

"Pirate Borg has a carousing table, does that count?"

#41

Blades in the Dark

4.0

(2)

"Blades in the Dark is my top favorite TTRPG."

"I think that adapting Blades in the Dark to a feudal japan setting could work well."

#42

Heroes and Heels

4.0

(2)

"If you want try before you buy and budget gaming, try Heroes and Heels."

"Take a look at this its a 5e superhero system."

#43

Lancer

4.0

(2)

"I do think Lancer, Mekton, and Stars Without Number are all excellent options."

"LANCER could work if you rewamp the liscence system."

#44

Bloodstone

4.0

(2)

"There is a very minimal Bloodborne rpg that used FitD called Bloodstone."

"There is a very minimal Bloodborne rpg that used FitD called Bloodstone. I haven’t played it personally but it looks like a great one shot or short campaign."

#45

In Extremis

4.0

(2)

"In Extremis was made specifically for it!"

"Literally lesbians necromancers in space."

#46

Chaosium

4.0

(2)

"I would go for the big golden book, aka Chaosiums BRP (Basic Role-playing)."

"The d100/BRP system used in Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying, and Mythras, and several games from Cakebread & Walton can also do that."

#47

PbtA

4.0

(2)

"During the Pandemic a PbtA Locked Tomb system was written and playtested."

"A pbta system might work well."

#48

Rifts

3.5

(2)

"Rifts could be a good option, it has both high fantasy magic and Sci fi elements."

"I know it's an older game from Palladium but Rifts will allow you to do just what you're looking for."

#49

Cyberpunk Red

3.5

(2)

"Cyberpunk red, everyday heroes, any dnd5e modern setting."

"IDK about Cyberpunk RED but they probably came up with a better system, so maybe try to look into that."

#50

Fragments of Power

5.0

(1)

"Shit I've been working on something that's perfect for that."

#51

Kids on Brooms

5.0

(1)

"Kids on brooms."

#52

EZD6

5.0

(1)

"My kids loved EZD6. They're 5, 7, and 10."

#53

Windmill Games

5.0

(1)

"Kids of all ages love it, and even adults playing with their kids have a great time."

#54

Roll for Shoes

5.0

(1)

"Can I recommend [Roll for Shoes]? Simple as it gets, perfect for one shots."

#55

Breathless

5.0

(1)

"Breathless and The Shotgun Diaries are my fave couple games for this kinda thing."

#56

Mouse Guard

5.0

(1)

"I would highly recommend playing Mouseguard."

#57

Hearts of Wulin

5.0

(1)

"Hearts of Wulin."

#58

Metallurgent

4.0

(1)

"Still in development but there's already pretty solid playtest material out there already."

#59

Punkapocalyptic

4.0

(1)

"If you like Shadow of the Demon Lord than get Punkapocalyptic, which uses the same system and is a really fun read."

#60

Apocalypse the Risen

4.0

(1)

"My favorite is Apocalypse the Risen but the print book is a bit pricey."

#61

Weird Frontiers

4.0

(1)

"Weird Frontiers (DCC)"

#62

SCP RPG

4.0

(1)

"There is an SCP rpg out there."

#63

Adventure Time TTRPG

4.0

(1)

"There is an unofficial Adventure Time TTRPG that might be worth checking out."

#64

Adventure Time RPG

4.0

(1)

"There is an official adventure time rpg launching on kickstarter later this year."

#65

Vampire: The Masquerade

4.0

(1)

"If you want to try *V:tM* use the free rules-lite [*V:tM* d6 Quickstart]."

#66

Fate Accelerated Edition

4.0

(1)

"[Fate Accelerated Edition.] Let's see how it stacks up against your list."

#67

Everywhen

4.0

(1)

"Everywhen is almost perfect for a SCP game."

#68

Cogent Roleplay

4.0

(1)

"Shad has actually developed his own TTRPG system together with his brother Jazza."

#69

City of Mists

4.0

(1)

"You should consider city of mists. It’s meant for this kind of environments."

#70

1D10 System

4.0

(1)

"1D10 system is great and comes in multiple settings."

#71

Zombie World

4.0

(1)

"Zombie World runs in a big hurry and is designed to be no prep."

#72

Goblincrafted

4.0

(1)

"Has a *ton* of recommendations for great RPGs."

#73

RUNE

4.0

(1)

"I made a very Bloodborne inspired series of realms for RUNE, which is a solo tactical game."

#74

Rider

4.0

(1)

"You could take a look at Rider (a 2d6 game mechanically descended from Traveller)"

#75

Hillfolk

4.0

(1)

"Hillfolk / DramaSystem"

#76

Scavenger Supplement

4.0

(1)

"I just got the scavenger supplement and it is pretty amazing!"

#77

Ironsworn

4.0

(1)

"Lower fantasy than D&D, but Ironsworn and it's sci-fi counterpart Starforged are the same system."

#78

Monsterhearts

4.0

(1)

"Monsterhearts on the sim/drama side; it's a PBTA game."

#79

Anima Beyond Fantasy

4.0

(1)

"Anima Beyond fantasy have both things and is everything you need in fact."

#80

Teeth

4.0

(1)

"The upcoming FitD game "Teeth" is looking to be very Bloodborne-y."

#81

D6 Fantasy

4.0

(1)

"You might try D6 Fantasy."

#82

Flying Circus

4.0

(1)

"The play routine in Flying Circus is split into two core activities - Air combat missions, and indulging in your vices in town afterwards."

#83

The Hollows

4.0

(1)

"Seems designed with this in mind; grim gothic mood, mechanics for fighting things much larger and nastier than you."

#84

Demigods

4.0

(1)

"There's one called Demigods that is allegedly inspired by Percy Jackson."

#85

Crystal Heart

4.0

(1)

"Crystal Heart for Savage Worlds."

#86

Dungeon Crawl Classics

4.0

(1)

"Post apocalyptic science fantasy with some basic and simple vehicle and mech rules."

#87

Cepheus

4.0

(1)

"Here's an attempt at compiling some of your most obvious options"

#88

The Lord of The Rings

4.0

(1)

"The only right answer is of course The Lord of The Rings Adventure Game"

#89

Earthdawn

4.0

(1)

"Earthdawn 4th Edition, or 1879, both from FASA Games."

#90

Worlds Beyond The Infernal Breach

4.0

(1)

"Worlds Beyond The Infernal Breach might be a good thematic fit for a zombie apocalypse."

#91

ELEMENTAL

4.0

(1)

"The ELEMENTAL system might be a solid and hackable foundation for this sort of game."

#92

Tendencies: Spirits and Glamour

4.0

(1)

"Tendencies: Spirits and Glamour is very much in this vein."

#93

Dead Man's Hand

3.0

(1)

"Dead man's Hand."

#94

Cowpunchers

3.0

(1)

"Cowpunchers it’s not weird west just western."

#95

Gubat Banwa

3.0

(1)

"Not sure if it'd fit, but probably Gubat Banwa."

#96

Battletrch RPG

3.0

(1)

"There's a Battletrch rpg, the name escapes me right now."

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