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- Alien the Roleplaying GameSpace is vast, dark, and not your friend. Gamma rays and neutrino bursts erupt from dying stars to cook you alive, black holes tear you apart, and the void itself boils your blood and seizes your brain. Try to scream and no one can hear you.
It's not all just fun and games. A brain-scanning study showed that social interactions can help light up the subcortical brain regions, which play a big role in keeping you motivated, while a 2017 study showed that social interactions prompt the release of warm fuzzies-inducing oxytocin, which also stimulates the reward center in your brain — that might explain why those marathon games run late into the night. Either way you cut it, there's plenty of science to back up why the best tabletop RPG games should be immersive and encourage social interaction.
While D&D might have been the original tabletop role-playing game, and even though it's arguably still the most popular, it's definitely not your only option. In fact, locating games isn't half as hard as narrowing the vast selection down to one (or a few). In other words, if you're wondering, 'What tabletop RPG should I play?' you're not alone.
When deciding, you'll want to make sure that the core rulebook is well-written and fully fleshed out; some RPG starter kits come with extras (like dice or character cards), but unlike a board game, most of the action happens in your imagination. As a result, the gamebook is the backbone of your entire RPG experience, so choose carefully. Since RPGs often require prep, it's difficult to get a feel for a particular game unless you've played it first-hand. As a result, reviewer feedback is paramount here. Stick to tabletop RPGs that are highly reviewed to avoid investing time into a poorly designed game.
According to reviewers and avid RPG players, here are the 10 best tabletop RPGs for a wide variety of genre preferences and difficulty levels.
1. The Most Popular RPG Of All Time: Dungeons & Dragons
You can't create a list of the best tabletop RPGs and leave out Dungeons & Dragons. If you're looking for newer, fresher alternatives, skip this one — but if you're looking to learn the ropes with a time-tested fantasy classic, check out this D&D starter set. It's ideal for beginners because it comes with everything you need to play: Dungeon Master's pages, access to 1,000 pre-generated characters, paper figures, blank character sheets, 42 dice, and a flannel drawstring pouch. Anything that isn't sent directly with the order is included in an e-mail with printable pages.
One reviewer wrote: 'Great set, very nice dice, enough for a full game! [...] You don't have to buy anything else to get started on your initial journey into D&D!'
2. If You're New To RPGs: Fiasco
Fiasco has been called the 'best improv game on the market,' and since it combines acting with light role-playing, it's the ideal RPG for anyone who's just starting out (especially since you can play a full game in a few hours). The theme: You're an ordinary person who gets wrapped up in an elaborate crime, and greed, fear, and lust ensue. It's inspired by cinematic creations by the Coen brothers, and buyers say it's 'accessible' and 'hilarious.' Play with three to five people.
One reviewer wrote: 'I'm surprised at the different people I can get into this game. This game is perfect for testing-the-waters newbies to a tabletop gaming (But I'd barely say it qualifies as such) or people who couldn't care less about such. It's pretty intuitive to play: If someone's ever seen a movie before, it's quick to pick up.'
3. A New, Highly Rated RPG: Blades In The Dark
It's rare to find any RPG with a near-perfect rating (not even the classics have 4.8 stars), but according to reviewers, this one deserves all the hype it's gotten: In Evil Hat Productions' Blades In The Dark, you're part of a 'crew of daring scoundrels' looking for fortunes on 'the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city.' Your crew will do anything to rise to power, but with ghosts, heists, occult happenings, and neighboring gangs, it's not as easy as it sounds.
One reviewer wrote: 'A mind-bending game that will make you rethink everything [...] The art evokes the setting wonderfully because (I think) it's all done by the game's creator [...] The game's setting was built alongside the mechanics, so everything the setting has to offer is useable and exists for a clear purpose [...] If you love tabletop RPGs, buy this book because it will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of game designers.'
4. The Most Adaptive Option: Genesys
If you're looking to learn an RPG that's flexible and versatile, look no further than Genesys. Because it's so moldable, players have used this system to create just about any universe (fantasy, based on real historical events, aliens, steampunk — even Star Wars, though that universe technically has its own RPG books using a similar system). In short, if you have a creative mind and want a well-fleshed-out set of rules that allow you to add your own genres and themes, Genesys is the way to go.
One reviewer wrote: 'Good system [...] The rules are amazing and really accomplish the goal of being truly universal. Some may complain about the art being unfinished but I think it gives it a beautiful blueprint-ish aesthetic.'
5. If You Love Science Fiction: The Expanse
Based on James S.A. Corey's award-winning novels (and subsequent television drama), The Expanse RPG helps you role-play in a sci-fi solar system where humans are divided and alien forces are stirring. This one uses the Adventure Game Engine rules for fast, familiar mechanics, but brings in spaceships and solar colonies to create a universe that feels 'true to the book [and] show,' according to reviewers.
One reviewer wrote: 'Just finished reading the rule book and about to start a campaign. Very well thought out, and very true to the feel of the original. They've even included a section on orbital mechanics! (Without going into the minutia that would make the game drag.)'
6. A New Cyberpunk RPG Starter Kit: Cyberpunk Red
Shadowrun is one of the most popular futuristic RPGs — but given that it can be overwhelming with its several editions (and the most recent ones aren't that highly reviewed), there has been a lot of hype surrounding this new dystopian alternative: Cyberpunk Red. This particular starter kit is based on CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 video game and is a preliminary for the core rulebook, which is due out in June 2020. However, it comes with everything you need to bring this Cyberpunk world to life, including two booklets, six pre-generated characters, six themed dice, maps, and standees.
One reviewer wrote: 'Great starter box for the up and coming 'main RPG game'. Very well presented and they've sorted out the 'hacking' / hackers player role in the last Cyberpunk 2020 game edition.'
7. For Fans Of Lovecraftian Horror: Call of Cthulhu
Monsters, dark secrets, cults — If you love atmospheric Lovecraftian horror, Call of Cthulhu has everything you'd want in an RPG. Each person acts as a detective on a single team, and you're all trying to solve mysteries and uncover horrors — but be careful, because the more you learn, the faster you'll lose 'sanity points.' Since it's a starter set, it comes with three reference books, five ready-to-play characters, blank investigator sheets, role-playing dice, and props.
One reviewer wrote: 'I wanted to do something different with my D&D gaming group for Halloween, so ordered the starter set after seeing the Critical Role one-shot. It went spectacularly [...] A fantastic introduction to a game with a rich legacy, and for anyone looking to branch out from Dungeons and Dragons, this is a great starting point.'
8. A Brilliant Crossover: Dungeons & Dragons Vs. Rick And Morty
This brilliant boxed set combines the rules and gameplay of D&D with the cult-favorite animated show Rick and Morty. The rulebook is annotated by Rick, the Dungeon Master screen has art illustrated by Jim Zub, and the five character sheets and 11 dice are customized to fit the theme. Buyers have called it 'amazing,' 'hilarious,' and 'easy for beginners,' which explains the 900-plus reviews and 4.8-star overall rating.
One reviewer wrote: 'Huge fan of both franchises and I love this mix [...] The sidebar comments Rick makes are very relatable and I think this version of the starter kit is the best one to get people to start playing D&D.'
9. For History Buffs: Night Witches
In World War II, a group of women pilots fought for the Soviets, flying outdated biplanes, cutting their engines to remain silent, and dropping bombs on the Germans for 1,100 nights in a row. They earned the German nickname Nachthexen — or Night Witches — and this history-based RPG lets you play as them. It's ideal for groups between three and five players using the Apocalypse World rules, and it paints a very real universe with feminism, Nazis, and more.
One reviewer wrote: 'Night Witches is a very interesting game [...] The setting being the Russian front of WWII and the topic of play being 'what it means to be a woman pilots when your country doesn't want you fighting,' makes this game highly intriguing.'
10. A Worthy Investment For Fantasy RPGs: Pathfinder
Finally, there's the Pathfinder beginner box which is a bit of an investment but is 'worth every cent,' according to reviewers. It submerges you into a world filled with dragons, deadly battles, and challenging adventures, and it includes everything you'll need for countless hours of gameplay: the Hero's Handbook, a Game Master's guide, a transition guide, seven dice, 80 pawns, and four pre-generated character sheets. No wonder it has a 4.7-star rating and nearly 300 reviews.
One reviewer wrote: 'Excellent quality. I've dabbled in RPG's in the past but wanted to start my own game. This is a perfect starter set, it has a really natural way of gearing you up for the full game whilst being satisfying enough to fully engage with just as it is.'
In the present COVID-19 crisis, many of us, myself included, have canceled our in-person roleplaying sessions to comply with social distancing or shelter-in-place public health regimes across the world.
This Thursday, after a hiatus, I'll be switching my in-person game to remote. (I've just started 'Canadian Shield', an extremely variant Fall of Delta Green series.)
As more tips and tricks for remote play come up I'll share them with you here on the Pelgrane site. Let's get started, though, with what I've learned during previous forays into online tabletop.
1. Use the platform you already know.
Everyone who has already racked up extensive remote play experience expresses a preference for a particular combo of tools for video conferencing and the virtual play space.
For video, Discord, Zoom, Google Hangouts and to a lesser extent Skype all have their adherents. Each brings its own set of pluses and minuses. In the end your choice of video app may depend on the quirks of each player's device setup. You may wind up shuffling through a bunch of them before you find the one that happens to function for your entire group.
As far as play spaces go, Roll20 already has resources for 13th Age and GUMSHOE. We've just added DramaSystem.
If you're already familiar with a video conferencing app and/or virtual tabletop, skip the learning curve and use that. It works; don't fix it.
2. If you haven't done this before, I prefer Google Hangouts and Slack.
Google Hangouts hasn't let me down yet. It's free, and pretty seamlessly handles switching to the person currently speaking. That's the most important feature of a video app for game play and it does it well. Google has announced that they're ending this service soon, but if I understand their PR correctly, what they're actually doing is rebranding their video chat to sound more business-friendly. Google can hook you on a service and then whip it out from under you like a rug, but I'm guessing that we're safe when this one changes to its new incarnation. I wouldn't bet on that happening according to its original timetable, either.
For GUMSHOE and DramaSystem, I use as my virtual tabletop a tool not remotely designed for that, the group project messaging platform, Slack. It is a platform I use for other purposes every day and know how to use. I already use it for face-to-face when running The Yellow King Roleplaying Game, having found it the best solution for serving electronic Shock and Injury Cards. When teaching that system I upload a card image to the game's main channel so everyone can feel its horror. I also drop the cards to each player, in our private message inbox. When they discard cards, I delete them from the private message inbox, so that it contains only the cards currently held.
Maps, images, and other handouts I upload to the main channel as well.
Slack's advantage over its competitors in its category lies in its ease of use. A newbie can immediately figure out its simple and intuitive interface.
I'd use Slack for any game that relies primarily on dialogue and description, which describes both GUMSHOE and DramaSystem.
In fact I'd probably use it to run 13th Age. I don't use a battlemap when running that in person, so wouldn't bother with one in remote play either.
A game that does require a tactical map will naturally push you toward one of the purpose built virtual tabletops. These all have to handle D&D and Pathfinder. If you're playing a game of that crunchiness online you've bought into the extra handling cost.
3. Leave in the Socializing.
Especially now, much of the point of an online game is to feel the connectedness we might ordinarily seek out around a table, at a con, or in a game cafe. The formality of the online experience might tempt you to cut right away to the case. You may know each other less well, or not at all, if playing online. Even so, give everybody time to chat a bit before getting started.
4. Expect a shorter session.
Though this varies for every group, in general the online meeting format promotes an efficiency you may find yourself envying when you return to face-to-face. Video conferencing requires participants to be conscious of who has the floor at any given moment. It reduces crosstalk and kibitzing. People used to conducting real meetings on video tend to step up to help guide the discussion and move toward problem-solving. The software does a good bit of your traffic management as GM for you.
For this reason you'll find that remote play eats up story faster than a leisurely in-person session. The pace of any given episode more closely resembles the tighter concentration typical of a con game group that has found its rhythm. Your group will likely decide what to do faster, and then go and do it with fewer side tangents, than they would at your regular home table.
When this happens, you may find yourself wondering if you shouldn't add more plot to keep your ending further away from your beginning. Instead, embrace this as the dynamic operating as it should. If it takes you three hours to hit five or six solid scenes, where in person it would take four, that's a good thing.
5. Expect a more taxing session.
In addition to respecting the pace your session wants to have, you should aim for shorter sessions because the experience of gaming remotely takes more out of you, and each of your players, than face-to-face will.
Many of you will be sitting in less comfortable chairs than you're used to being in. Those with home offices may already have been in those chairs for an entire work day already.
The concentration required to pay attention to people on video conferencing taxes the brain more than face-to-face. You're trying to assimilate the same amount of communication from one another with fewer cues to work with. This tires any group, physically and mentally. Expect that and pace your game accordingly.
When you see a time-consuming setpiece sequence coming up, check the clock to see if you'll be able to do it full justice given these constraints. Never be reluctant to knock off early and leave folks wanting more next time you all join up.
6: For Slack, use the Dicebot app.
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To return to a platform-specific point, the Dicebot Slack app allows any participant to roll dice right in the channel. It easily does the d6 plus spend modifier for GUMSHOE. It inherently reminds players to announce their pool point spends before rolling, another neat advantage over physical dice.
Speaking of games that scorn the battlemap, Dicebot also handles the more complicated positive d6 + negative d6 + modifier roll seen in Feng Shui.
7. Whatever the platform, use a dice app if you players can possibly be coaxed into it.
Some players need that tactile dice-touching fix. I wouldn't force online rolling on them, but having rolls take place visually in front of everyone does enhance their emotional impact by allowing everyone to see and react to the results.
To return to a platform-specific point, the Dicebot Slack app allows any participant to roll dice right in the channel. It easily does the d6 plus spend modifier for GUMSHOE. It inherently reminds players to announce their pool point spends before rolling, another neat advantage over physical dice.
Speaking of games that scorn the battlemap, Dicebot also handles the more complicated positive d6 + negative d6 + modifier roll seen in Feng Shui.
7. Whatever the platform, use a dice app if you players can possibly be coaxed into it.
Some players need that tactile dice-touching fix. I wouldn't force online rolling on them, but having rolls take place visually in front of everyone does enhance their emotional impact by allowing everyone to see and react to the results.
Dice provide suspense . A die roller, in whatever platform, shares that edge of the seat moment when you see who succeeds and who's about to take a Shock card.
8. Use a shared Google Doc for note-taking.
Since they're all on a device anyhow, encourage your players to contribute to the group chronicle by setting up a shared Google Doc. Gussy it up with a graphic touch or two to build tone and theme.
9. Keep online versions of character sheets.
You'd think players won't lose paper character sheets if they're not leaving the house, but of course we misplace stuff in our own places all the time.
For GUMSHOE, the highly recommended Black Book app does all of the work of keeping online character sheets for you. It has just extended its trial period for player accounts.
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Absent a specific tool, keep updated character sheets in a Dropbox folder or, for games where characters are simple as they are in DramaSystem, in a Google Sheet. I've done this for my 'Canadian Shield' game.
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Stay tuned for more tips. I look forward to the day when I can update this post to remove references to the pandemic as a current event. Until then, stay safe and, as much as you possibly can, the hell inside.
