Ttrpg reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 528 Reddit reviews across 15 subreddits and 72 posts to rank the best Ttrpg brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/rpg, r/TTRPG, r/RPGdesign, r/Warhammer, r/TabletopRPG. Top-rated brands include Savage Worlds (4.3/5), World of Darkness (4.6/5), Dragonbane (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews528
Subreddits15
Posts72
Brands92
Products17
528 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Savage Worlds
4.3
(36)
"I second SWADE, it's can fit any setting and is a lot of fun."
"Seconding Savage Worlds. It is simpler than GURPS or Hero, and plays fast, but you can still use it as a toolkit to build your world."
"Savage Worlds is setting agnostic and class less. There are lots of settings published for inspiration on how to build one yourself. And it's fast and fun to run."
"I love SWADE for everything, especially space westerns."
"Savage Worlds is the best system for sci-fi."
"Savage Worlds = Bennies give all players Player Agency."
"Savage Worlds is an excellent antidote for D&D and - depending on the setting - can tick pretty much all your boxes."
"I think Savage Worlds is a great choice also."
"Savage Worlds perfectly meets all your criteria."
"Savage Worlds is a good medium crunch."
#2
World of Darkness
4.6
(18)
"Definitely something World Of Darkness, I think Hunter: The Reckoning is the best."
"World of Darkness games (Vampires, Werewolves...) are very appreciated for modern fantasy."
"For modern, maybe some World of Darkness stuff? Especially vampire stuff is centred around a city."
"Consensus reality is one of my favourite magic systems."
"Vampire The Masquerade is my favorite."
"V5 is exceptional."
"When it came to the solid grim atmosphere, political, action horror stuff, Vampire was just king."
"The best one in my subjective opinion remains Mage."
"Werewolf: The Apocalypse what's my favorite RPG, period."
"Mage and Vampire (original versions or the 20th anniversary ones) or and Changeling: The Lost are my favorites."
#3
Dragonbane
4.5
(17)
"Is excellent for this, with a new free quickstart for download just the other day."
"Seconding dragonbane."
"Dragonbane could be perfect"
"I’m gonna shill for Dragonbane."
"If you still want a d20 experience I highly recommend Dragonbane."
"If you want an easier, smoother and more fun fantasy-game."
"A lighter system, and fairly well balanced."
"A lighter system, and fairly well balanced."
"I’d also suggest Dragon’s Bane. It’s very comprehensive if you get the monster manual."
"More deadly combat than D&D."
#4
Call of Cthulhu
4.6
(16)
"Call of Cthulhu: the best value for money starter set ever."
"CoC 7 edition starter is awesome."
"Call of Cthulhu includes a solo adventure that walks you through the mechanics."
"I’m another vote for the CoC 7e starter set."
"Call of Cthuhlu 7e Starter Set is beyond what most other companies even try."
"The Call of Cthulhu boxed set is excellent."
"A hard break in mechanics and tone, but still a crunchy trad game: Call of Cthulhu."
"Call of Cthulhu is about perfect for that purpose."
"If you want Eldritch horror detective, there call of chuthulu."
"For horror."
#5
Pathfinder
4.4
(15)
"I left 5e and went to Pathfinder 2e and I love it."
"If you're looking for something that's similar to D&D, I'd say try Pathfinder 2e or Daggerheart."
"Your best bet."
"That systems IS.really great imo"
"Honestly, upgrading to PF2e is the logical step."
"I would suggest Pathfinder 2e for a couple of reasons."
"* Outlaws of Alkenstar (2E) might fit your requirement best."
"I'd recommend Pathfinder 2e."
"Pathfinder 1 with spheres of power 3rd party material might be a good way to go."
"Pathfinder 2e would be a solid option."
#6
Blades in the Dark
4.8
(12)
"For a lot of variety and examples of very different ways of doing RPGs, I'd pick: Blades in the Dark"
"Apocalypse Engine and/or Blades in the Dark"
"Blades in the Dark: d6 pool. Heists heists heists. This game is great for making a heist movie type game."
"Blades in the Dark for mechanics that work perfectly to express the game's purpose."
"Beyond that, Blades in the Dark is a really cool system."
"Piling on for both blades in the darkness and Swords of the serpentine for this."
"Blades in the Dark and City of Mist are my two favorite games."
"___Blades in the Dark___ is focused on building a criminal organization in a haunted pseudo-Victorian city."
"There are so many good choices."
"Blades in the Dark has social skills that are not based on stats. So you can have one person who has the skills to persuade, another person has the skills to lie, another to intimidate."
#7
Ironsworn
4.5
(12)
"Ironsworn is the best option for a self-contained system for solo, co-op, and GM guided."
"Anything by Shawn Tomkin."
"Ironsworn is the way to go, as long as your group isn't too big."
"Checkout Ironsworn. It's free and a great gmless game."
"Generally [Ironsworn](https://shawn-tomkin.itch.io/ironsworn)'s considered the best example of blending story-driven scenarios."
"Ironsworn is free also, and has the option to play even solo to try the game. The rules quality is great and you only need a handful of dice."
"Ironsworn has attributes Heart/Iron/Wits/Edge/Shadow. Shadow handles sneaky actions, Iron handles strength and grit, and Heart covers sociability."
"Try ironsworn, cairn or white box."
"There's a number of games like Ironsworn out there that support either GMed play or what's called Co-op play."
"It's part of the 'narrative' meta-family, based on Fate and PbtA."
#8
GURPS
3.9
(12)
"Obligatory GURPS suggestion."
"It's the best system for running any setting"
"GURPS is interesting for this in my mind for the comparison. Three 200 point characters, one martial, one social, one functional."
"GURPS does non-corporeal characters very well, but they're pricey."
"GURPS (or the free GURPS lite). A good example of how to think on a higher ab"
"Nobody has said GURPS."
"You can dial back some of the crunchier mechanics to get a game play you like."
"At the time a couple of us were listening to The Film Reroll podcast which uses GURPS."
"Universal system that you can make any campaign genre you want."
"Gurps if you really want it crunchy."
#9
Mothership
4.7
(10)
"Mothership is very much about cosmic and body horror... but not complicated and easy to play and run."
"Mothership is lighter, with more of an emphasis on tension and horror than Traveller."
"Mothership is a great system for this. Even though it’s horror-based it still has the gritty vibe."
"Mothership is great fun if you want it to have a deadly, horror-like grimy feel."
"Gotta throw the Mothership Box set into the mix!"
"Mothership is my go to system for all things sci-fi related."
"Sci-fi horror."
"It's super lightweight at its core but has rules for atmosphere, oxygen, exhaustion, bleeding, cryosickness, radiation poisoning."
"Mothership has a Predator-like statblock in Unconfirmed Contact Reports and has the human element covered."
"Maybe an indie game like Mothership or Vast Grimm would work for this?"
#10
City of Mist
4.5
(10)
"City of Mist and it’s derivatives are all great games."
"City of Mist. You get one of the best pre generated character sheets with a picture and backstory."
"City of Mist is a modern day urban fantasy RPG with heavy vibes from noir, neon and cartoons."
"Maybe take a look at my favorite City of Mist!"
"1. City of Mist. Completely different style of game. It's a PBTA game, but so much fun."
"It's pretty customizable, and pretty good from what I've read."
"We feel it might be more appropriate"
"City of Mist could work for you."
"City of Mist."
"City of Mist / Otherscape / Legend in the Mist."
#11
Fate
4.0
(11)
"Check out setting agnostic systems/frameworks. some examples are Fate, savage worlds, the cypher system, basic roleplaying, cortex prime, gurps."
"Fate seems pretty damn close to what you're looking for here"
"Thus, the correct answer is FATE IMO."
"Seconding Fate, but also want to throw Grimwild out there - yes, the default is heroic fantasy, following the DnD theme.. but the system is entirely different (it's fiction first)"
"Fate, Savage Worlds or GURPS. Fate if you like a very rules-light, freeform and narratve game"
"BRP, Savage Worlds, Fate, Cortex Prime could all work I reckon."
"Fate because pretty much everyone will have a way to Create an Advantage using social methods."
"You might also want to consider something more narrative and cooperative."
"Are worth looking into for you."
"And obviously FATE"
#12
Ulisses Spiele
3.8
(11)
"Wrath & Glory best fits your description. The FFG games are intended to emulate a specific aspect of the 40K universe."
"So to play as all the xeno race you have wrath and glory and rogue trader wrath have more option as xeno."
"Wrath and Glory, a D6 dicepool system, is going to be your best bet - it basically has no limitations on who or what can be in a party and has basically all sentient species covered."
"I played a few sessions of Wrath & Glory, seems pretty good if you're into that sort of thing."
"Wrath and Glory is the most general option."
"Wrath & Glory checks all your boxes, get the latest rulebook."
"Wrath and glory is also current but it's a d6 dice pool system by the same publ."
"Wrath & Glory is the only official 40k RPG that lets you play multiple xenos in the core book."
"Wrath and glory for playing xenos and action."
"If you want more recent (although in my opinion, not as good) there is Wrath and Glory which is also set in the 40k universe, although it is more simplistic and I had less fun with it."
#13
Shadowrun
3.8
(11)
"Shadowrun is definitely the most on point here. I'd throw Numenera in there as well, though it doesn't have the fantasy races."
"Definitely Shadowrun. The rules/mechanics have a rep for being overly crunchy, but the setting is fantastic."
"So, Shadowrun"
"Shadowrun's etiquette skills provide a situational advantage, knowing how to talk to certain subsections of people."
"Shadowrun."
"Shadowrun: character creation and magic are the two most interesting parts imo from a design perspective. Lore is pretty wild."
"If you want High tech + magic, dragons and elves go Shadowrun."
"If you want modern fantasy you should look at Shadowrun, Cities Without Number, Savage Worlds (SWADE) and Sprawlrunners."
"Shadowrun (I suggest 2e), Lowlife 2090, Chromatic Shadows."
"Also, you might look at Shadowrun or maybe something in the world of darkness."
#14
Free League
4.7
(9)
"I love the Alien starter box, as well as the Dragonbane one."
"Another vote for Free League."
"My favourite final products have always been almost anything by Free League."
"Anything Free League."
"Free League games are simply the best games on the market."
"I've taken a break from D&D and I have switched over to Vaesen."
"Pretty much any Free League or Chaosium starter set you care to name."
"Free League seem to do pretty good ones. Both Alien and Blade Runner."
"Free League's consistently run the smoothest."
#15
Dungeon World
4.1
(10)
"Dungeon World is great if you’re looking for a fantasy based setting."
"Dungeon World?"
"Would be my first dart thrown."
"Someone’s going to tell you it’s terrible, but try Dungeon World. It’s a fun game that will make you a better GM."
"Give you more story-driven mechanics while keeping the swords and sorcery setting."
"Is D&D except given a story-focused system."
"I like Dungeon World."
"I feel that it allows to a much more story based game play."
"I recommend at least trying out a few sessions of 'Dungeon World'."
"Dungeon world is a good introductory system. It shares some dnd with dnd which will help as new players typically want to play that."
#16
Genesys
3.9
(10)
"This sounds exactly like you want Genesys. It's a bit of work to build your own setting, but the trick is to steal and reflavor from all the other settings."
"Genesys. It is setting agnostic by design. The rules for how to play include how to adapt it to whatever setting you want."
"Any generic system, and while it seems like a one size fits all answer, Genesys is the system which immediately sprang to mind."
"Genesys."
"Genesys is a decent amount of crunch, and can definitely handle early modern."
"I'd love to suggest Genesys."
"It's the same system but made setting agnostic with suggestions on how to run fantasy to sci-fi."
"Genesys as a generic system, and the setting supplement Realms of Terrinoth."
"Genesys has some really good books on urban fantasy with Something Strange."
"Genesys — an interesting system with varying degrees of success"
#17
Fabula Ultima
4.1
(9)
"[Fabula Ultima - Press Start] is a great intro not just to Fabula Ultima but to RPGs in general."
"Simple and Easy, gives a lot to fully customize a character build."
"Fabula Ultima: dX+dY. A very light ttjrpg that is very good for streamlined rules without being too light."
"I'm a huge fan of Fabula Ultima, basically old school JRPG maker. Really good systems overall."
"Fabula Ultima"
"You should check out Fabula Ultima!"
"Fabula Ultima."
"Fabula Ultima is another one to look at since all characters are multi-classed from the start."
"Fabula Ultima could work"
#18
13th Age
4.6
(8)
"13th Age is basically exactly this."
"I randomly heard about 13th Age, a D&Dish RPG."
"13th Age is my heroic fantasy game of choice."
"13th Age!!!! 😍😍😍"
"13th Age, MCDM RPG (When it comes out) and Daggerheart are my suggestions."
"I'd suggest taking a look at *13th age* and *Shadow of the Demon Lord* or *Shadow of the Weird Wizard* or even *Fabula Ultima*"
"13th age might fit what you need"
"If you want something in the D&D/Pathfinder realm I'd say try out 13th Age."
#19
Worlds Without Number
4.4
(8)
"I think the game you're looking for is Worlds Without Number."
"It's a great blend of the best elements of old school and modern D&D."
"A couple extra suggestions to look into that aren't D&D."
"You may be interested in something like: Worlds Without Number and/or Dungeon Crawl Classics"
"Worlds Without Number is a good middle ground between 5e and osr, while having outstanding generation tools"
"[Worlds Without Number] hits pretty much all of these."
"Check out worlds without number."
"Worlds Without Numbers. It is pretty lightweight, with the combat rules fitting on two pages, while offering a good amount of complexity."
#20
Palladium
5.0
(7)
"I came here to recommend Rifts too. Palladium has an all new TMNT about to drip as well....."
"Came here to recommend rifts! Glad to see others doing the same. Palladium is my favorite ttrpg company of all time."
"Superheroes, fantasy, ninja turtles and robotech, all compatible aaaaand explainable in the rifts setting."
"Rifts is such a fun setting. Cyborg ninjas palling around with necromancers, aliens, mutants, psykers, robot pilots, mystic gunslingers, juiced up super soldiers, and... fuck it... Jim. The mechanic."
"Rifts"
"I can add my vote for Rifts. Magic very strong as well as tech."
"Rifts"
#21
Swords of the Serpentine
4.1
(8)
"I would recommend **Swords of the Serpentine**."
"___Swords of the Serpentine___ is urban by default."
"Is designed for investigative play."
"Have you looked at Swords of the Serpentine?"
"Swords of the Serpentine is a GUMSHOE based swords and sorcery game."
"Maybe Swords of the Serpentine would work for you."
"The RPG Swords of the Serpentine is set entirely in a city."
"As a few other alternatives to look into: Swords of the Serpentine"
#22
Rogue Trader
4.1
(8)
"Rogue Trader is so different from any other RPG I’ve played. I absolutely love it and the dynamic of it."
"Rogue Trader if you want a more typical 'RPG party' experience of a bunch of murderhobo weirdos running around doing Shenanigans."
"So to play as all the xeno race you have wrath and glory and rogue trader."
"Rogue trader ,well lets you play as a Rogue Trader and his retinue."
"Rogue Trader is really the only one that'll allow you to have a mixed-species party."
"Rogue Trader is still available on DriveThru RPG. Plus, it has some fan content that allows you to play as pretty much any Xeno race under the sun."
"RT is still available on DriveThruRPG."
"Rogue Trader by FFG. Out of print, but I'm sure you could find used."
#23
Mausritter
4.7
(7)
"Is a pretty fantastic intro to TTRPG's."
"I’ve really enjoyed Mausritter’s Starter Set because it includes everything you need to start playing."
"I've also had a ton of success with Mausritter and at this point have introduced about 30 people to RPGs this way."
"It’s Mausritter."
"Mausritter. The setting and tone can be enjoyed by anyone."
"My favourite thing about Mausritter is the inventory system, and as an extension the loot/treasure system."
"If you want something more traditional mechanically, but still wants mice; Mausritter is good."
#24
Traveller
4.3
(7)
"If you want a well established ecosystem of adventures and supplements... then Mothership and Traveller are BY FAR your two strongest options."
"Traveller is an amazing system for fire fly style stories."
"Traveller because there are several social skills."
"I wanted to mention Traveller but everyone else already did."
"A solid medium crunch game with a book of options to tweak the rules how you want them."
"Traveller is the obvious choice."
"I've had great success using Traveller for 40k games. It's a much, much simpler and smoother gaming experience than any of the official systems."
#25
ALIEN RPG
4.7
(6)
"It's a lot of fun and the system feels very intuitive."
"Chariot of the Gods is a wonderful starter for the Alien RPG."
"Alien RPG is great. It models the 'monster is hunting the characters' feeling pretty well."
"The ALIEN RPG is great for horror and tension."
"Alien."
"One system I really like is ALIEN RPG."
#26
Pathfinder 2E
4.7
(6)
"The Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box is the gold standard for how such products should be created."
"The Pathfinder 2E Starter Set is great."
"It's complex but strong."
"It's absolutely worth trying."
"Have you tried."
"Pathfinder 2E is usually the gateway drug people use to leave 5E."
#27
Forbidden Lands
4.3
(6)
"Forbidden Lands and Dragonbane from Free League are my favorite."
"Forbidden Lands plays in a way that is different from D&D. It’s focused on exploration and community building."
"I like how Forbidden Lands handles it. Because many NPCs come with the instructions on which table to roll for loot."
"Forbidden Lands. Mythras (can use Mythras Classic Fanasy for races). Shadow of the Weird Wizard."
"Looks fun."
"More streamlined and fun OSR-type."
#28
Lancer
4.2
(6)
"It's an absolutely fantastic rpg that's well worth taking a look at."
"Lancer: d20. A tactical mecha game based off DnD 4e."
"Lancer. Best of... Lancer-like."
"1, 3 and 4 are covered well by Lancer."
"The creator of Lancer is making a fantasy rpg btw."
"If you like mechs and crunchy combat, I recommend Lancer."
#29
Runequest
4.8
(5)
"RuneQuest Roleplaying in Glorantha is really good."
"RuneQuest Starter Set from Chaosium is superb."
"Only right answer is runequest."
"Tons of lore, classless d100 system."
"I'd recommend Runequest, Warhammer FRP, or Fate depending on your group preferences."
#30
Wanderhome
4.6
(5)
"Wanderhome sounds like a good fit!"
"Wanderhome for sure."
"Wanderhome for sure."
"Wanderhome."
"Wanderhome is worth checking out. It won't be exactly what you're looking for, but it's a cute and cozy GMless RPG at least."
#31
Delta Green
4.6
(5)
"My top favorites are in order: Delta Green, Blades in the Dark, Monster of the Week, Dragonbane, Forbidden Lands, and then Cairn and its many hacks for one shots."
"Delta green. It's such an eye opener after running things like DnD."
"Delta Green tbh."
"Delta Green Need to Know. Not a traditional starter box set, but it’s a free booklet that has pretty much all game rules."
"I thought Delta Green's starter set Need to Know was fantastic."
#32
Shadow of the Demon Lord
4.4
(5)
"I really like World's without Number and Shadow of the Demon Lord."
"Shadow of the Demon Lord, Shadow of the Weird Wizard are my recommendations."
"Shadow of the Demon Lord."
"I feel Shadow of the Demon Lord/Weird Wizard fit your requirements."
"Shadow of the Demon Lord. It's starts out really simple, but then becomes increasingly complex as the game goes on."
#33
Cairn
4.4
(5)
"Cairn."
"I would recommend Cairn. It's very rules light, you could read them all in an hour. Character creation takes less than 5 min per PC."
"Cairn. Best of NSR."
"If you like rules-light with a lot of room for rp and leaving a lot up to the gm, you could just hack Cairn."
"I've personally played Cairn and Lancer and found both to be very fun."
#34
Ars Magica
4.4
(5)
"Ars Magica has rules for magi who know faerie secrets writing a poem about how much they hate someone."
"I think you'll like either ars magica, mage the ascension and/or fabula ultima."
"Ars Magica social stats are split into Presence and Communication."
"Ars Magica."
"Ars. Magica."
#35
Shadowdark
4.2
(5)
"Shadowdark by a mile."
"Honestly, Shadowdark. Deliverables were clear."
"Was the first game I saw with carousing."
"Has a fun carousing system!"
"I also recommend Shadowdark if you like D&D but want something less super hero-y."
#36
Cypher System
4.0
(5)
"For me personally it's the Cypher System. Ruleslight, but so many diverse characters creation possibilities."
"I really like Cypher. Setting agnostic, rules light and easy to learn."
"Cypher System"
"Try Cypher System. Great for conventions."
"Cypher System (doesn't combat focus so may not be a good fit for combat intensive games)."
#37
ICONS
4.0
(5)
"FASERIP or Advanced FASERIP."
"Rule light and fun."
"Accessible and medium-to-low crunch, and a lot of fun!"
"Super rules light, funny hero/bad guy creation."
"Icons for a rules liter take on m&m might be a nice alternative too especially for something shorter."
#38
Mythras
4.0
(5)
"Mythras or BRP. d100 systems are pretty solid for longer campaigns."
"Mythras"
"Mythras! It's a BRP game, derived from Runequest 6e."
"Mythras?"
"I think Mythras is really cool."
#39
Lady Blackbird
5.0
(4)
"[Lady Blackbird] hands down. Dead simple and incredibly fun."
"Lady Blackbird (free, award-winning, no-prep, one-page PC sheets."
"Try some beautiful indie games like Lady Blackbird (a premade adventure about sorcery, love, swashbuckling and steampunk airships)."
"Lady Blackbird was a 3 session, hands-down, AMAZING experience that kickstarted five years of running multiple weekly games and no burn out."
#40
Imperium Maledictum
3.8
(5)
"Imperial Maledictum is still being made, so probably the best choice."
"Imperium Maledictum is the current 40K TTRPG, it's pretty good."
"Your best bet would be Imperium Maledictum, and convert some stuff from the Old Rogue Trader 2nd Edition system for it."
"Imperium maledictum is the newest one. It's a d100 system similar to WFRP 4e. We've played it a few one shots and really like it."
"The new one (Malledictum something?) is also a mix of things, but I don't know if they've really aaded xenos yet."
#41
Dark Heresy
3.8
(5)
"Definitely Dark Heresy. Alternatively Rogue Trader, which is basically a variant without the Inquisitorial background setting."
"Dark heresy is set in 40k. Rouge trader as well though they don’t quite match up, it seems. Only played Heresy and it was an absolute blast."
"While Dark heresy makes you a member of an Inquisitor's Retinue."
"Dark heresy and other ffg warhammer games for imperium roleplay."
"Why not use one of the official 40k rpg like Dark heresy, Rogue trader, and I forgot the name of the third one. It's based on the Warhammer v2 system I believe. Not the most recent system but decent."
#42
West End Games
4.8
(4)
"I loved playing the West End Games d6 version back in the '90s."
"My preference is still the West End game. Easy to learn, fast to run."
"If you like lighter games, older games, the 90s Expanded Universe, or rolling lots of D6s, then West End's D6 Star Wars."
"WEG Star Wars 1e in my opinion."
#43
Pathfinder 2
4.5
(4)
"The best of these are without a doubt: Pathfinder 2."
"For a D&D-like experience but better overall and decent companies, I'd suggest both Pathfinder 2 and 13th Age."
"Would suggest pathfinder 2 if not for point 3."
"D&D but crunchier: Pathfinder 2"
#44
Orbital Blues
4.3
(4)
"If you want some rules lite space cowboy action go check out Orbital Blues."
"Orbital Blues is great, and so is Stars Without Number."
"I'll second Orbital Blues, which is well worth a look especially if you like rules-lite games with a real tone of its own."
"I think something simple to learn/play like Orbital Blues might work!"
#45
Exalted
4.3
(4)
"Exalted is the best at this imo. The intimacy system adds a deeper layer of social mechanics."
"Exalted spins off from the World of Darkness example, plus there are several abilities that can have magical effects useful in social situations."
"Exalted sounds good for you."
"Exalted is setting-specific but I've played it in other settings without changing anything."
#46
Stars Without Number
4.0
(4)
"If your players are familiar with it, it's a great choice."
"Stars Without Number with inspiration from the Gatecrashing supplement for Eclipse Phase"
"I imagine Stars Without Number would work excellent for what you want to do."
"Stars Without Number is a solid option."
#47
Cortex Prime
4.0
(4)
"Came here to say Cortex Prime. As the GM you can build your game as light or crunchy as you like."
"Cortex Prime. It’s a generic narrative based system with many mods for it so you can customize it to suit whatever genre or style of game you’d like to."
"BRP, Savage Worlds, Fate, Cortex Prime could all work I reckon."
"Cortex Prime."
#48
D&D 5E
4.0
(4)
"I ran it in dnd5e and had a good time."
"If I don't know any of that I would say try D&D 5e."
"I recommend finding a 2 Hour One-Shot RPG, D&D 5E will likely be your best bet."
"Will likely be your best bet."
#49
Scum & Villainy
4.0
(4)
"My favorite Star Wars game is Scum and Villainy."
"Scum & Villainy might also be worth a look."
"Scum & Villainy"
"Scum and Villainy is also a decent choice, but doesn't quite have a support."
#50
Evil Hat Productions
4.0
(4)
"FATE is one of the simplest rules light generic systems and the d6s can pretty easily fit star wars given the past star wars games."
"If you want something simpler and free, try Fate."
"Try the Dresden files rpg?"
"Dresden File"
#51
Chronicles of Darkness
3.8
(4)
"Chronicles of Darkness and the Storypath systems have Presence, Manipulation, and Composure as social stats."
"Chronicles of Darkness, which was a resetting of the World of Darkness in the early 2000s."
"Personally I'd be inclined to use Chronicles of Darkness. Characters are just regular people so it's easy for players to get a handle on who they are supposed to be."
"Word, CofD is just better, shame Paradox is killing it for the trainwreck that is their 5th edition."
#52
Steve Jackson Games
3.8
(4)
"If you want a simple system in general G.U.R.P.S is easy to learn and hugely adaptive."
"If you are willing to put in a bit of work, I would recommend the same thing I use for all my games in all settings: Gurps."
"GURPS. Or you can reflavor Starfinder. Now there is also Rogue trader or Dark heresy."
"GURPS"
#53
Starfinder
3.5
(4)
"If you've ever played Pathfinder/D&D then Starfinder really isn't hard to pick up."
"Our D&D 5e circle also plays Starfinder."
"Tokyoscape, or Starfinder could be really good."
"Or you can reflavor Starfinder."
#54
Basic Roleplay
3.5
(4)
"Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying. It can be downloaded for free here."
"Basic Roleplay (BRP): generic system, under ORC license so you can get the whole thing free as pdf. Gives a good view on ways to tackles mechanics in a different lens than D&D, and is the basis for Call of Cthulhu, Runequest, and a few other games."
"Basic Roleplay — more "low level" and realistic. Combat is dangerous. Skills based rather than classes."
"BRP, Savage Worlds, Fate, Cortex Prime could all work I reckon."
#55
Starforged
4.7
(3)
"Ironsworn / Starforged (for sci-fi) is one of the best examples."
"*Starforged* by Shawn Tomkin."
"As Starforged, (mixed success like pbta) exp granted for quests, relationships and exploration."
#56
ICRPG
4.7
(3)
"ICRPG, EZD6, DCC"
"ICRPG."
"ICRPG for easiest and quickest to learn and dm."
#57
Heroes Unlimited
4.7
(3)
"For super hero play."
"Some of the most fun I’ve had making a super hero character."
"Heroes Unlimited. It's nifty because you can supplement it with any other book from the Palladium Universe."
#58
Vaesen
4.7
(3)
"My beloved Vaesen is delightfully rules light."
"Historical Nordic horror."
"I'm going to recommend."
#59
Earthdawn
4.7
(3)
"I cannot recommend Earthdawn enough."
"Check out Earthdawn. It's an extremely high-magic setting."
"Earthdawn, honestly? It can have that vibe especially if you go urban."
#60
Quest
4.7
(3)
"Quest is pretty good (and free) to introduce people to the hobby, clear wording, simple rules and friendly presentation."
"Seconding this, i am playing quest with any new friends who has 0 ttrpg knowledge. Its so fun and easy to understand."
"Quest and the tiny d6 line to me are the easiest to learn systems."
#61
The One Ring
4.7
(3)
"The One Ring and WHFRP 4th ed get my vote."
"The One Ring starter set with outstanding value for money."
"I suggest looking at One Ring as it has really nice mechanics."
#62
Monte Cook Games
4.7
(3)
"Numenera is one of my most favorite games!"
"Numenera"
"Numenera."
#63
Monster of the Week
4.3
(3)
"My current go-tos are Monster Of The Week."
"Monster of the Week has to be worth a look."
"Monster of the Week (MotW) actually has a supplemental set of rules."
#64
Brindlewood Bay
4.3
(3)
"If you're looking for something funny you could play my game of Brindlewood Bay."
"Brindlewood Bay."
"Brindlewood Bay is my go-to for mysteries. Rules are easy."
#65
Champions
4.3
(3)
"Champions. Once they see point building, and knock their first villain through a wall with a car, there is no going back."
"You can do anything with it."
"If mutants and masterminds isn't heavy enough for you, go with Champions."
#66
Tales from the Loop
4.3
(3)
"In Tales from the Loop you play kids investigating mysteries."
"Tales From the Loop very much fits this premise."
"I've had good experiences running Tales from the Loop (or Things from the Flood) for first-time players."
#67
Paranoia
4.3
(3)
"Paranoia is great for no fuss oneshots."
"Paranoia. Came at a time when the trend was heavier, crunchier, serious and they just went screw that, let's have fun!"
"Paranoia to see how rules can elicit certain emotions from players and how to write a rulebook that's fun to read. Also, how to use humor in RPGs."
#68
Into the Odd
4.3
(3)
"Try some rules-light OSR games like Into the Odd (treasure hunters in a weird industrial world) or Mythic Bastionland."
"Into the Odd (or Electric Bastinland, or Cairn, or Mausritter) for polished, clear, and concise wording of minimalist rules."
"Have a look ‘Into the Odd’ by Chris McDowall."
#69
Chaosium
4.3
(3)
"Call of Cthulhu: It runs kind of like a murder mystery in a near-contemporary setting, so it requires minimal fantastical buy-in at the start."
"You could always look at Call of Cthulu pulp! Which is more for pulp heros with that gritty feel but less lethality."
"Call of Cthulhu"
#70
Hackmaster
4.0
(3)
"Check out Hackmaster"
"If the game is Fantasy, then I'd recommend HackMaster."
"I have introduced newbies through HackMaster, Warhammer FRP, Mongoose Traveller too, and I never had an issue."
#71
Fantasy Flight Games
4.0
(3)
"Even as a big fan of the d100 40K games from FFG."
"Yeah the FFG 40K games are superior, IMO."
"Black Crusade, if folks want to play chaos and do chaos things."
#72
Deathwatch
4.0
(3)
"Definitely Deathwatch. Good solo marine rules, plus a decent squad combat mode."
"Death Watch has rules for fighting hordes of dudes."
"Deathwatch if you want high-octane battlefield action against seemingly-impossible odds."
#73
Cypher
4.0
(3)
"Its mechanics are incredibly simple to learn."
"Cypher I think would work well. Give each PC unique focus that fits their power"
"If you provide pregens, then Cypher is great."
#74
Fantasy AGE
4.0
(3)
"You might want to try Fantasy AGE/Blue Rose."
"I ran a short game of Fantasy Age and my players really liked it."
"If you want to stick to fantasy, one outlier is Fantasy AGE by Green Ronin."
#75
Mutants and Masterminds
4.0
(3)
"Mutants and Masterminds."
"Mutants and Masterminds might scratch that interest for you."
"Mutants and Masterminds isn't a bad choice."
#76
Risus
4.0
(3)
"Risus is free. And a great place to start."
"PDQ or Risus. Both are generic systems very simple and good for Star Wars."
"Risus. Skills are customizable, simple pass/fail mechanic that’s still robust and fits a lot of situations, options for upgrading gear but it’s not super baked into the system, very narrative oriented without a lot of meta mechanics."
#77
Kevin Crawford
4.0
(3)
"As others have mentioned, Kevin Crawford runs his crowdfundings really well."
"Dude took the money and ran: But I agree with Kevin Crawford, Monte Cook."
"As others have said Fate Core and anything Kevin Crawford were solid and well run."
#78
Old School Essentials
4.0
(3)
"*old* D&D. Play OSE."
"May I suggest Old School Essentials."
"I'm currently running Old School Essentials for my friends who mostly play D&D 5E."
#79
Pirate Borg
4.0
(3)
"Pirate Borg, Honor & Intrigue and Iron Claw are your best bets."
"Might be a good starting point, for a newbie-friendly game."
"Pirates Borg, DnD OSR."
#80
Daggerheart
4.0
(3)
"Daggerheart is a bit rough around the edges since it's in the playtest phase."
"I would totally recommend Daggerheart and Dragonbane."
"We’re really running Daggerheart, but it isn’t fully baked yet."
#81
OpenQuest
3.7
(3)
"OpenQuest (a game based off of Basic Role Playing, OQ specifically has some ideas that I think are worth stealing, even if I personally like Mythras more)"
"[OpenQuest](https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/3240/D101-Games/subcategory/5576/OpenQuest?234913) if you want some light d100 fantasy."
"OpenQuest: Generic d100 fantasy system. It comes with a setting, but it is more optional and pretty briefly described."
#82
Dungeon Crawl Classics
3.7
(3)
"You may be interested in something like: Worlds Without Number and/or Dungeon Crawl Classics"
"Try out dungeon crawl classics!"
"Dungeon crawl classic. Not sure the magic will be at your taste but it s worth a try"
#83
Index Card RPG
3.7
(3)
"Electric Bastionland, Maze Rats, Blades in the Dark, Apocalypse World, Index Card RPG."
"Index Card RPG - Really good for a six stat introduction game and lots of print out props."
"Nothing screams video game like Index Card RPG."
#84
Scum and Villainy
3.7
(3)
"Scum and Villainy is space-opera FitD, modular enough to hack a disembodied AI."
"Scum and Villainy is VERY close to base blades with just a few tweaks for a more heroic vibe."
"Though Stars without numbers is probably better."
#85
Gloomhaven
5.0
(2)
"Gloomhaven, like you mentioned, is really what you want."
"Gloomhaven, like you mentioned, is really what you want."
#86
Kobolds Ate My Babies
4.5
(2)
"It's one book. You can learn it/teach it in like 5 minutes."
"You should check out 'Kobolds ate my babies' it's a fun quick game."
#87
Pendragon
4.0
(2)
"Pendragon."
"If you want to move a hair away from high fantasy, Pendragon may be just the thing."
#88
Notequest
4.0
(2)
"Notequest with dragonbane characters works amazing."
"I like to spread the word about my friends or just Brazilian game designers."
#89
Arion Games
4.0
(2)
"Arion Games (*Advanced Fighting Fantasy*) are consistently good."
"Advanced Fighting Fantasy (AFF) is a British roleplaying game based on the Fighting Fantasy and Sorcery! gamebooks."
#90
Torchbearer
3.5
(2)
"Torchbearer. If the GM hasn’t specifically planned a piece of treasure the players can still find things on a great loot table."
"It's only like 75% of what you're asking for, but I'm going to suggest it anyway because I think that if you give it a chance, it will surprise you."
#91
Warpstar
3.5
(2)
"There's Warpstar!, which is Rogue Trader with the serial numbers filed off and reduced complexity."
"If you want something lighter, check Warpstar."
#92
Entromancy
3.5
(2)
"It is quintessentially a fantasy setting built upon billions of years of accumulated high tech societies and thrives on the detritus they left behind."
"Since the big names have already been said by others in this thread, I'm just going to throw out Entromancy."
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