So, some of you might have noticed I’ve been dipping my toe into 2-player indie TTRPGs lately and having an absolute blast. I can highly recommend the experience, and also in general the experience of playing GM-less games if you want to play roleplaying games with someone but don’t want to do any prep.
Now, if you’re wondering where to get these kinds of games, there are many available on itch.io. However, I actually decided to write this post as a general PSA that there’s a LOT of these games that were a part of the Itch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality that was sold last year. I know many people bought that bundle, and that probably, like me, you all feel a little overwhelmed by the number of games and resources that were in that bundle. Maybe you weren’t even aware that there were TTRPGs in that bundle.
So, to help you out: Someone on Reddit made a google sheet overview of all the TTRPG games that were a part of that bundle. It contains info like a short summary of the game, number of players, link to the store page, etc. I’ve been making my way down the list and picking out the ones that caught my interest, but I’m sure there’s many of you out there that would love the chance to explore these kind of little games as well!
My personal favourites so far (although I haven’t played all of them yet!):
- Apotheosis - 2-5 players
A game about the relationship between what a culture experiences and how that influences their dominant cultural legend and the stories they tell each other across generations. GMless collaborative storytelling, no characters, worldbuilding.
- Dead Friend - 2 players
A game where you play as two friends, one recently deceased and a ghost, the other the necromancer trying to bring them back. During the necromantic ritual you reflect on the shared history that brought you to this moment. GMless collaborative storytelling, character roleplaying, one shot.
- Dream Aflame - 3 players
You play as desperate survivors in a desolate magical land, but also as the land itself and its inhabitants. Gmless collaborative storytelling (but players can take on ‘elements’ of the world), roleplaying characters, world exploration, journey, map drawing, multiple sessions (3-6).
- I’m sorry did you say street magic - 2-6 players
A game where you build a city together, filling it with all the little details that make it feel alive. Gmless, no characters, worldbuilding.
You play as The Client who is trying to find the Room which is rumoured to grant your wish, or The Navigator who is guiding them through the mysterious restricted area called the Zone. Gmless collaborative storytelling, character roleplaying, world exploration, journey, map drawing, one shot.
- Over the Moon - 2 players
A dating game for two moon cultists, one of whom loves the moon a little too much, and the other trying to fix their comrade by online dating with ‘normal’ people – but oops, you matched each other instead! Gmless character roleplaying, instant messaging, played over the course of full lunar cycle.
- Ships that Pass - 2 players
You play as two queer spaceships that have a crush on each other (and sometimes you also play the pilots of the ship and agents of the MAN). GMless character roleplaying, one shot.
- The Land Whispers - 1-4 players
Build a peaceful homestead for yourself and your loved ones out in the wilds, as you uncover the secrets of the land and the people who came before you. Gmless collaborative storytelling, world exploration, character roleplaying, one shot (but might require multiple sessions).
- Together / Alone - 2 players
You play as the Envoy, who has arrived in a foreign land seeking an alliance, or the Local who is leading them to the capital. As you travel, you try to form a cross-cultural connection. GMless collaborative storytelling, character roleplaying, journey, one shot.
- Wanderlust - 2-4 players
A game where you all play the same character, The Wanderer, who is about to set off on a journey. But the game is about the last few days before you leave, as you say goodbye to the people you love. GMless collaborative storytelling, character roleplaying (shared character), one shot.
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stormborns
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