At this point, you probably know about Dungeons & Dragons — even if you’ve never rolled a 20-sided die. You might have seen the roleplaying game featured in shows like Stranger Things or in live performances of people creating intricate stories as they play on YouTube.
But did you know the world of roleplaying games has grown far beyond its fantasy origins?
Game designers have published rulebooks for all kinds of audiences, spanning genres, styles and complexity levels. Here’s an introduction to some of the titles in Anythink’s collection.
Whether you’ve wanted to try RPGs but didn’t connect with D&D, or you’re an experienced player looking for something new, you just might discover your next game below.
Science Fiction
If you’ve always wanted to join the brightest minds in the universe on a shiny new star cruiser, ready to take on peacekeeping and research missions, check out Star Trek Adventures.
If you’d rather join a ragtag crew of misfits on a banged-up old ship, taking on any job that lets you keep flying, take a look at Scum & Villainy.
Mystery & Crime
Do you enjoy the chaos and unpredictable criminal situations of films like the Coen brothers’ “Fargo”? The roleplaying game Fiasco lets you create and play similar stories. This game requires no game master and is designed for a single two- to three-hour session.
If you prefer the gentler mystery-solving of shows like Murder, She Wrote, take a look at Brindlewood Bay. You’ll join a group of elderly ladies faced with mysteries in a cozy coastal setting. The rules include a dash of tentacled cosmic horror, though that element can easily be left out if you prefer.
Horror
Speaking of tentacles … Monster of the Week is a great choice for creating stories that would feel right at home in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files or Stranger Things. In this game, most people don’t believe in monsters — but you know the truth. They’re real, and it’s your job to bring them down.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror, Dread might be the game for you. Instead of dice, it uses a Jenga tower to ratchet up the tension as characters find themselves in increasingly precarious situations.
Animals
Back to cozier settings: Crack open Pugmire to play in a world of classic high-fantasy tropes inhabited entirely by talking dogs.
Or check out Bunnies & Burrows. Originally published in 1976, this newer edition retains its old-school RPG vibes, with plenty of stat tables and tactical scenarios on hexagon maps. It also includes character options for a variety of small woodland animals. If you’ve ever wanted to play a skunk, here’s your chance.
For Younger Audiences
Shape the elements to heal an ailing land in Inspirisles. Developed with members of the Deaf community, the game teaches American Sign Language and Deaf culture as part of the gameplay. It’s written for teens ages 13 and up, but games can be adjusted for younger players.
In Young Centurions, you might take on a neighborhood bully — or a mad scientist bent on world domination — or both. Just make sure you’re home in time for dinner. This book includes a system based on movie ratings to help adjust games to the maturity level of different player groups.
Solo Adventures
(Solo? Yes, solo. Solitaire RPGs let a single player explore stories on their own, often with a journaling component.)
In Quill, you’ll take on the role of a medieval letter writer. Across different scenarios, your skills and dice rolls determine whether your character crafts the most beautiful and effective message possible — and then you’ll write it out.
Or chronicle the life of a vampire across millennia in Thousand Year Old Vampire. This game features a dark, villainous tone and explores themes of loneliness, predation and memory loss.
Other
Odd Jobs is a quirky collection of settings and story prompts that can fit into nearly any RPG system or campaign. It’s a great pick for experienced groups looking for inspiration for their next adventure.
Similarly, The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book can be a springboard into unexpected new experiences. Written by multiple authors and game designers, this collection features games across a wide range of themes, tones and player counts — and the rules for each fit on a single page.
Check Them Out and Tell Us What You Think
At your local Anythink branch, browse our collection of TryIts to find these titles and more.
Have you tried any of these games, or do you have suggestions for other RPG titles to add to the library collection? Let us know in the comments.
