RPGs by Genre - Revision history

Wordman at 02:48, 12 June 2026

2026-06-12T02:48:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:48, 12 June 2026
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	A surprising number of fantasy setting books exist containing little or no system-specific information.		A surprising number of fantasy setting books exist containing little or no system-specific information.

	* '''[https://greenroninstore.com/products/the-pirates-guide-to-freeport-print ~~Pirate's~~ Guide to Freeport]''' — a pirate city, with a long publishing history		* '''[https://greenroninstore.com/products/the-pirates-guide-to-freeport-print Pirate’s Guide to Freeport]''' — a pirate city, with a long publishing history
	* '''[http://talislanta.com/talislanta-library#1st The Chronicles of Talislanta]''' ¤ — the original, system-agnostic version of this expansive setting, now available for free		* '''[http://talislanta.com/talislanta-library#1st The Chronicles of Talislanta]''' ¤ — the original, system-agnostic version of this expansive setting, now available for free
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2238/flying-buffalo?src=browse2238&keyword=citybook&page=1&sortBy=oldest Citybooks]''' — one of the first agnostic supplements		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2238/flying-buffalo?src=browse2238&keyword=citybook&page=1&sortBy=oldest Citybooks]''' — one of the first agnostic supplements
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	* '''[https://potatocubed.itch.io/pigsmoke Pigsmoke]''' — a roleplaying game of sorcerous academia ([http://apocalypse-world.com/pbta/policy PbtA])		* '''[https://potatocubed.itch.io/pigsmoke Pigsmoke]''' — a roleplaying game of sorcerous academia ([http://apocalypse-world.com/pbta/policy PbtA])
	* '''[https://www.strikerpg.com/tailfeathers.html Tailfeathers Academy of Magic]''' — students at a school of wizardry, and the magic sport they play		* '''[https://www.strikerpg.com/tailfeathers.html Tailfeathers Academy of Magic]''' — students at a school of wizardry, and the magic sport they play
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/126823/three-days-until-retirement-a-game-about-cops-on-the-edge Three Days Until Retirement]''' — grizzled cops on the edge try to solve one last case* '''[http://danielbayn.com/wushu/ Wushu: the Ancient Art of Action Roleplaying]''' ¤ — high-flying, hyper-stylized action, where over the top description makes success more certain ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ CC BY-SA 4.0])		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/126823/three-days-until-retirement-a-game-about-cops-on-the-edge Three Days Until Retirement]''' — grizzled cops on the edge try to solve one last case
			* '''[http://danielbayn.com/wushu/ Wushu: the Ancient Art of Action Roleplaying]''' ¤ — high-flying, hyper-stylized action, where over the top description makes success more certain ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ CC BY-SA 4.0])
	* '''[https://ndpdesign.com/wwwrpg/ World Wide Wrestling]''' — feuds, championships, betrayal, righteous victory… and what the audience thinks ([http://apocalypse-world.com/pbta/policy PbtA])		* '''[https://ndpdesign.com/wwwrpg/ World Wide Wrestling]''' — feuds, championships, betrayal, righteous victory… and what the audience thinks ([http://apocalypse-world.com/pbta/policy PbtA])

Wordman at 02:40, 12 June 2026

2026-06-12T02:40:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:40, 12 June 2026
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	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/252107/blackwind-core-rulebook Blackwind]''' — might be what would have happened if RPGs were originally made by novelists instead of wargamers. Uses lots of the technical tools of writing.		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/252107/blackwind-core-rulebook Blackwind]''' — might be what would have happened if RPGs were originally made by novelists instead of wargamers. Uses lots of the technical tools of writing.
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/274623/Dogs DOGS]''' — “a genre and setting agnostic” interpretation of the now out-of-print ''Dogs in the Vineyard'', using a dice pool and wagering system that is “heavily intertwined with the narrative… ideal for games where the players are solving mysteries, settling disputes, and making moral and/or ethical decisions”.		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/274623/Dogs DOGS]''' — “a genre and setting agnostic” interpretation of the now out-of-print ''Dogs in the Vineyard'', using a dice pool and wagering system that is “heavily intertwined with the narrative… ideal for games where the players are solving mysteries, settling disputes, and making moral and/or ethical decisions”.
	* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/2013/09/19/dramasystem-srd/ DramaSystem]''' — a token-based narrative system to support both procedural and dramatic scenes equally; originally part of ''Hillfolk'', winner of the [https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2011-award/ 2011 Diana Jones Award]] (OGL, [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ CC BY 3.0])		* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/2013/09/19/dramasystem-srd/ DramaSystem]''' — a token-based narrative system to support both procedural and dramatic scenes equally; originally part of ''Hillfolk'', winner of the [https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2011-award 2011 Diana Jones Award] (OGL, [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ CC BY 3.0])
	* '''[https://bullypulpitgames.com/collections/fiasco-1 Fiasco]''' — A narrative game of ”powerful ambition and poor impulse control”, supported by [https://fiascoplaysets.com hundreds of playsets] ([https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2014-award/ 2014 Diana Jones Award])		* '''[https://bullypulpitgames.com/collections/fiasco-1 Fiasco]''' — A narrative game of ”powerful ambition and poor impulse control”, supported by [https://fiascoplaysets.com hundreds of playsets] ([https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2014-award/ 2014 Diana Jones Award])
	* '''[http://www.room209gaming.com Forthright]''' — a mid-complexity system based on non-binary results of a d20 roll. Heavy emphasis on expectation setting (both for the game as a whole, and for each die roll), collaboration, and GM guidance. ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0])		* '''[http://www.room209gaming.com Forthright]''' — a mid-complexity system based on non-binary results of a d20 roll. Heavy emphasis on expectation setting (both for the game as a whole, and for each die roll), collaboration, and GM guidance. ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0])
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	* '''[http://talislanta.com/talislanta-library#1st The Chronicles of Talislanta]''' ¤ — the original, system-agnostic version of this expansive setting, now available for free		* '''[http://talislanta.com/talislanta-library#1st The Chronicles of Talislanta]''' ¤ — the original, system-agnostic version of this expansive setting, now available for free
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2238/flying-buffalo?src=browse2238&keyword=citybook&page=1&sortBy=oldest Citybooks]''' — one of the first agnostic supplements		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2238/flying-buffalo?src=browse2238&keyword=citybook&page=1&sortBy=oldest Citybooks]''' — one of the first agnostic supplements
	* '''[https://aareed.itch.io/downcrawl-2e Downcrawl] — “a weird, wondrous underworld so far from the surface that the sun and sky are only legend”		* '''[https://aareed.itch.io/downcrawl-2e Downcrawl]''' — “a weird, wondrous underworld so far from the surface that the sun and sky are only legend”
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/172854/drakonheim-city-of-bones Drakonheim: City of Bones] — a city built on the bones of a dragon, run by necromancers		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/172854/drakonheim-city-of-bones Drakonheim: City of Bones]''' — a city built on the bones of a dragon, run by necromancers
	* '''[https://studio2publishing.com/products/dragon-kings-world-book Dragon Kings World Book]''' — factions and strange races vying for control of the wastelands and sand-blasted cities		* '''[https://studio2publishing.com/products/dragon-kings-world-book Dragon Kings World Book]''' — factions and strange races vying for control of the wastelands and sand-blasted cities
	* '''[https://metalweavegames.com/collections/embers Embers of a Forgotten Kingdom]''' — dark fantasy setting inspired by the ''Dark Souls'' video games		* '''[https://metalweavegames.com/collections/embers Embers of a Forgotten Kingdom]''' — dark fantasy setting inspired by the ''Dark Souls'' video games

Wordman at 21:56, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T21:56:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 24 April 2026
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	=== Cyberpunk ===		=== Cyberpunk ===

	* '''[https://anvil-8-games.com/aetherium-roleplaying-game/]''' — a d10 pool system, set in a cyberpunk world that puts heavy emphasis on virtual reality.		* '''[https://anvil-8-games.com/aetherium-roleplaying-game/ Ætherium]''' — a d10 pool system, set in a cyberpunk world that puts heavy emphasis on virtual reality.
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/304415/ALTERED-STATE Altered State]''' — a cyberpunk supplement for the ''Index Card RPG'' which brings cyberpunk to that system.		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/304415/ALTERED-STATE Altered State]''' — a cyberpunk supplement for the ''Index Card RPG'' which brings cyberpunk to that system.
	* '''[http://dicemachine.com/#section-hero Black Code]''' — a transhuman cyberpunk game “set in a future where humanity and technology are intermingled so closely we don’t know where we are going next”, using a toolkit approach.		* '''[http://dicemachine.com/#section-hero Black Code]''' — a transhuman cyberpunk game “set in a future where humanity and technology are intermingled so closely we don’t know where we are going next”, using a toolkit approach.

Wordman at 21:55, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T21:55:31Z

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Wordman at 13:18, 21 April 2026

2026-04-21T13:18:44Z

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Wordman at 13:04, 21 April 2026

2026-04-21T13:04:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 21 April 2026
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	</div>		</div>

			<div class="nolinkicons">
	== A Short List ==		== A Short List ==

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	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/153484/Cornerstone-RPG--Basic Cornerstone RPG]'''¤ — a dialog-heavy, simple d6-based system, intended to run zero-prep one-shots.		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/153484/Cornerstone-RPG--Basic Cornerstone RPG]'''¤ — a dialog-heavy, simple d6-based system, intended to run zero-prep one-shots.
	* '''[https://www.gildorgames.com/gildor-games/ Elemental]''' — aims to be “a fast and flexible roleplaying game for any character, any setting, any story”. It is a skill-based system with free one-page rules, but deeper support materials.		* '''[https://www.gildorgames.com/gildor-games/ Elemental]''' — aims to be “a fast and flexible roleplaying game for any character, any setting, any story”. It is a skill-based system with free one-page rules, but deeper support materials.
	* '''[https://www.perilplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FU2-Beta-V1.1-Oct-2020.pdf Fast FU]''' — a two-page minimalist version of Freeform Universal ~~within the [https://www.perilplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FU2-Beta-V1.1-Oct-2020.pdf 2nd edition PDF].~~		* '''[https://www.perilplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FU2-Beta-V1.1-Oct-2020.pdf Fast FU]''' — a two-page minimalist version of Freeform Universal
	* '''[http://www.fudgelite.com Fudge Lite]''' — a rules-light generic RPG that uses natural language to describe character traits (fair, good, great, etc.) The game is designed to let the mechanics fade into the background and allow the players to focus on playing the game.		* '''[http://www.fudgelite.com Fudge Lite]''' — a rules-light generic RPG that uses natural language to describe character traits (fair, good, great, etc.) The game is designed to let the mechanics fade into the background and allow the players to focus on playing the game.
	* '''[https://heroictalesrpg.com/ Heroic Tales]''' — a “genre-neutral, rules-light role playing game of heroic problem solving.”		* '''[https://heroictalesrpg.com/ Heroic Tales]''' — a “genre-neutral, rules-light role playing game of heroic problem solving.”
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	* '''[https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/-zMNd4JOoJvv Paper-Free RPG]''' — a one-page RPG for situations in which character sheets are not very feasible, such as during nature hikes or night-time car-rides.		* '''[https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/-zMNd4JOoJvv Paper-Free RPG]''' — a one-page RPG for situations in which character sheets are not very feasible, such as during nature hikes or night-time car-rides.
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28315/QAGS-Second-Edition QAGS]''' — “Quick-Ass Game System”. Minimalist RPG first published in 2001, notable (notorious?, infamous?) for its explicit use of edible tokens as a dice modifier currency called “Yum-Yums”.		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28315/QAGS-Second-Edition QAGS]''' — “Quick-Ass Game System”. Minimalist RPG first published in 2001, notable (notorious?, infamous?) for its explicit use of edible tokens as a dice modifier currency called “Yum-Yums”.
	* '''[https://www.risusrpg.com/rules Risus: The Anything RPG]''' — a free four-page game with a [http://www.risusiverse.com large following], supporting a variety of play styles.		* '''[https://www.risusrpg.com/rules Risus: The Anything RPG]'''¤ — a free four-page game with a [http://www.risusiverse.com large following], supporting a variety of play styles.
	* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/296464/SHARP-Simple-Handy-Adaptable-RolePlaying SHARP]''' — a lightweight descriptive system, ''Simple Handy Adaptable Role-Playing'' claims to be a “love child” of ''WaRP'', ''FitD'', and ''Gumshoe''. ([https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-the-open-game-license OGL])		* '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/296464/SHARP-Simple-Handy-Adaptable-RolePlaying SHARP]''' — a lightweight descriptive system, ''Simple Handy Adaptable Role-Playing'' claims to be a “love child” of ''WaRP'', ''FitD'', and ''Gumshoe''. ([https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-the-open-game-license OGL])
	* '''[https://pjfelix.itch.io/septible Septible (aka Alpha-7)]'''¤ — a lean, flexible system playable with pools of any type of 50/50 randomizer (dice, coins, etc.). ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0])		* '''[https://pjfelix.itch.io/septible Septible (aka Alpha-7)]'''¤ — a lean, flexible system playable with pools of any type of 50/50 randomizer (dice, coins, etc.). ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0])
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	* '''[http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/ Microscope]''' — a fractal game to build a world with rich, problematic turning points		* '''[http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/ Microscope]''' — a fractal game to build a world with rich, problematic turning points
	* '''[https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year The Quiet Year]''' — define the struggles of a community living after the collapse of civilization		* '''[https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year The Quiet Year]''' — define the struggles of a community living after the collapse of civilization

			</div>

Wordman at 05:06, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T05:06:56Z

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 * '''[https://rowanrookanddecard.com/spire-rpg/ The Spire]''' — doesn’t bill itself as a cyberpunk game, but has a definite cyberpunk vibe, as your drow revolutionaries resist the high elf establishment that runs a mile tall tower-city.
 * '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/232943/Toonpunk Toonpunk]''' — “cartoons have come to life in the dystopian 24th century”.
 * '''[http://www.ravendeskgames.com/vurt-the-tabletop-roleplaying-game Vurt]''' — takes place in a cyberpunk setting that adds travel into parallel worlds. ([http://cypher-system.com Cypher])
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 * '''[https://evilhat.com/product/thirsty-sword-lesbians/ Thirsty Sword Lesbians]''' — flirting, sword-fighting, and zingers in a system designed for both narrative drama and player safety ([http://apocalypse-world.com/pbta/policy PbtA])
 * '''[https://ludicreations.com/product/and-then-we-held-hands/ …and then we held hands]''' — a non-verbal cooperative game for two players about finding balance.
 === Pirates ===
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 * '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/352002/a-second-moment A Second Moment]''' — an intense duel
 * '''[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/82246/world-vs-hero World vs. Hero]''' — card-based storytelling for two
 === World Building ===
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 * '''[https://aeross.itch.io/arcanadrome Arcanadrome]''' — use tarot cards to generate a backstory and develop a world
 * '''[https://goldenlassogames.itch.io/decuma Decuma]''' — tarot-inspired “R&D for your RPG” to guide collaborative world-building
 * '''[https://www.lamemage.com/kingdom/ Kingdom]''' — create any kind of group or organization you want to explore, confronting critical decisions that force the community to change
-* '''[http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/ Microscope] — a fractal game to build a world with rich, problematic turning points
+* '''[http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/ Microscope]''' — a fractal game to build a world with rich, problematic turning points

Wordman at 03:44, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T03:44:18Z

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Wordman at 04:54, 15 April 2026

2026-04-15T04:54:29Z

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Wordman at 03:54, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T03:54:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:54, 14 April 2026
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	Magic exists in urban fantasy games, but it is often hidden or secret, allowing more of the ”real world” to remain familiar. PCs are almost always in on the secret.		Magic exists in urban fantasy games, but it is often hidden or secret, allowing more of the ”real world” to remain familiar. PCs are almost always in on the secret.

	* The many editions of the different '''[https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/world-of-darkness/products/tabletop-roleplaying World of Darkness]''' games cast a long shadow in urban fantasy roleplaying. These games are somewhat infamous for promising game play (intrique and politics) ~~they~~ they never delivered (here's 200 pages of combat rules).		* The many editions of the different '''[https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/world-of-darkness/products/tabletop-roleplaying World of Darkness]''' games cast a long shadow in urban fantasy roleplaying. These games are somewhat infamous for promising game play (intrique and politics) they never delivered (here's 200 pages of combat rules).
	* '''[https://www.savourcn.com/dark-places-demogorgons Dark Places & Demogorgons]''' — 1980s teenagers from a small town where strange occurrences began popping up all around.		* '''[https://www.savourcn.com/dark-places-demogorgons Dark Places & Demogorgons]''' — 1980s teenagers from a small town where strange occurrences began popping up all around.
	* '''[https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/the-rpg Dresden Files]''' — based on Jim Butcher’s series of novels ([https://faterpg.com FATE])		* '''[https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/the-rpg Dresden Files]''' — based on Jim Butcher’s series of novels ([https://faterpg.com FATE])
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	* One of the first espionage RPGs, '''Top Secret''' has been through many editions:		* One of the first espionage RPGs, '''Top Secret''' has been through many editions:
	** The ''First Edition'' was revised and updated within a year, and hard to find		** The ''First Edition'' was revised and updated within a year, and hard to find
	** The revised ''Second Edition'' is mired in legal rights issues, and neither the box set or missions are legally available digitally		** The revised ''Second Edition'' is mired in legal rights issues, and neither the box set nor missions are legally available digitally
	** Ditto for the thrid edition, “Top Secret/SI”, which changed the system significantly, and leaned into more cinematic espionage		** Ditto for the thrid edition, “Top Secret/SI”, which changed the system significantly, and leaned into more cinematic espionage
	** [https://topsecretrpg.com New World Order] is a crowd-sourced reboot		** [https://topsecretrpg.com New World Order] is a crowd-sourced reboot
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	=== Mystery/Investigation ===		=== Mystery/Investigation ===

	Games with investigation a the primary activity.		Games with investigation as the primary activity.

	* '''[https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/brindlewood-bay.html Brindlewood Bay]''' — play a group of elderly women who help the authorities solve murder cases in a picturesque New England town ([https://rpggeek.com/rpgsystem/106921/carved-from-brindlewood CfB)		* '''[https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/brindlewood-bay.html Brindlewood Bay]''' — play a group of elderly women who help the authorities solve murder cases in a picturesque New England town ([https://rpggeek.com/rpgsystem/106921/carved-from-brindlewood CfB])
	* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/2017/06/01/cthulhu-dark/ Cthulhu Dark]''' — short, focussed, Lovecraftian, investigative horror ([https://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/category/products/gumshoe-general/ Gumshoe])		* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/2017/06/01/cthulhu-dark/ Cthulhu Dark]''' — short, focussed, Lovecraftian, investigative horror ([https://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/category/products/gumshoe-general/ Gumshoe])
	* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/product/the-esoterrorists-2nd-edition/ The Esoterrorists]''' — elite investigators combating the plots of a loose affiliation of occult terrorists ([https://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/category/products/gumshoe-general/ Gumshoe])		* '''[https://pelgranepress.com/product/the-esoterrorists-2nd-edition/ The Esoterrorists]''' — elite investigators combating the plots of a loose affiliation of occult terrorists ([https://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/category/products/gumshoe-general/ Gumshoe])