SO YOU WANNA PLAY A GAME THAT’S NOT THAT ONE
We’re mad about the new OGL, and the likelihood that it’s not going to be revised. (And maybe even if it is, we’re mad enough to move on to something new). You wanna play a tabletop game but not that one anymore. Here’s my recs!
Mechanically: the game uses d6s for skill rolls, and tracks for determining injuries, travel, etc. Your character build consists of an origin, bloodline, and post.
Flavorfully: You wanna sail a sea of endless trees? You want a dash of Lovecraftian horror? You want pirate vibes without the water? Try this one on for size.
Play if: you like the social aspects of DnD, you’re a fan of Jane Austen, you loved D20′s A Court of Fae & Flowers, you like romance in your games
Mechanically: the game is driven by ‘moves’, which are like actions in combat, except they’re not usually limited to combat, and also the game is way more open-ended and rule of cool.
Flavorfully: urban fantasy monster hunters, buffy the vampire slayer or x-files or supernatural is your jam.
Play if: you want to see a gorgeous Indigenous-designed game that focuses on a decolonized alternate history and ends up in a solarpunk future; or, you’re just bored of Shadowrun
Mechanically: this game technically started out as Powered by the Apocalypse (aka similar to Apocalypse World) but is so distinct that it spawned a whole new genre: Forged in the Dark. Truly, you should read this even if you don’t play it because there are a ton of cool mechanics in here. My favorites are definitely Progress Clocks.
Flavorfully: you’re not a good guy. not really. you work in the shadows. you know there’s dirty work. but you’re trying, dammit. you’re really trying.
Alternatively, Spire is a similar game with somewhat lighter mechanics.
Play if: you love Cowboy Bebop, the wild west, truckers, that sort of thing. A really solid sci fi game!!
“Okay that’s cool and all, LT, but you’re not really selling me the DnD fantasy vibes.”
Hm, a tough customer. Here’s a shortlist of some fantasy alternatives I like:
Inspirisles (learn sign language while you play)
Mausritter (OSR style for the Redwall fans)
For the Dungeon! (play minions protecting their dungeon)
Icon (still in beta, by the creator of Lancer - very rules hefty)
Troika! (technically science fantasy because you’re jumping dimensions, but tomayto, tomahto)
Hungry Gnolls Eat the Rich (for no reason in particular)