Are you new to tabletop roleplaying games? Whether you're a player or creator, it can be helpful to understand the difference between various game types. This quick breakdown may help!
Classic fantasy. Epic quests. Rolling the dice. Traditional RPGs are where high-stakes adventures begin. These tabletop games are filled with dragons, magic, and mythical creatures. Think character leveling and strategic combat. Games like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder are classic examples.
Storytelling at its finest, where every choice matters. Narrative RPGs are all about weaving a tale together and propelling the story forward. Less about dice and more about character relationships and dramatic moments. Games like Fiasco and Monsterhearts focus on character drama and interpersonal conflict.
Break free from the rules and let your imagination run wild. Story Games are a playground for creativity, where you and your friends co-create new worlds. Forget about strict mechanics – it's more about building a story together, one decision at a time. Games like Microscope and Dungeon World are some popular choices.
Think outside the box and embrace the unconventional. Indie RPGs are the experimental side of tabletop gaming. They're full of surprises and fresh perspectives. Don't expect the usual hero's path – games like Blades in the Dark and Munchkin serve up something different.
Adventure awaits even when you're alone. Solo RPGs let you be the hero and the villain at once. Not to mention the storyteller. It provides a space where you can explore your own imagination without relying on others. Games like Ironsworn and Mythic offer immersive solo play experiences.
Write your own epic saga. Solo Journaling Games combine writing and roleplaying. You create a character and document their adventures in a journal. It's a reflective (and creative) outlet for anyone who loves to lose themselves in a story. Games like Thousand Year Old Vampire and Dream offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
Everyone's a storyteller here. In collaborative games, groups work together to create a shared world. No one person is in charge – instead, everyone contributes to the story equally. Games like The Quiet Year and Apocalypse World are examples of where everyone has to pitch in.
Tactical battles on a tabletop. Miniatures Games involve tons of strategic planning and outsmarting your opponents. You'll command armies of tiny figures and engage in epic clashes. Games like Warhammer 40,000 and X-Wing are iconic choices.
Immerse yourself in a fictional world. LARPing is like stepping into a movie or show. You become your character, interacting with others in a real-world setting. It's a full-body, full-sensory experience. From medieval kingdoms to post-apocalyptic wastelands, LARPs offer a chance to escape reality and live out your wildest adventures.
The best of both worlds. Hybrid Games combine tabletop and digital elements. Think using an app to track your character's stats while playing with friends around a table. Games like Dungeons & Dragons Online and Pathfinder Online offer a digital and physical experience in one.
Learn while you play. Educational RPGs make learning fun – and something you actually look forward to. You'll solve puzzles, tour historical events, or master new concepts while in command of gameplay. Games like Sidereal Confluence and Prime Time Adventures shine a spotlight on this kind of information.
Combine strategy with storytelling. Traditional board game RPGs blend the mechanics of board games with the narrative elements of RPGs. You can expect to move around a board, roll dice, and make choices that affect your character's fate. Games like Gloomhaven and Arkham Horror are popular in this category – for good reason.
Every game is a new adventure. Procedural RPGs generate content on the fly, so you never know what to expect. Picture exploring a randomly generated dungeon, but for the whole game. Procedural RPGs like Dwarf Fortress and Nethack are classic examples.
A mix of strategy and roleplaying. These games incorporate the best parts of both. There's plenty of board play involved, but your character's actions will also impact the narrative. Games like Betrayal at House on the Hill and Mansions of Madness offer a mix of strategy and surprise.
Character-driven board games – taken to the next level. These focus on character development inside a board game structure. You'll make choices that shape your character's story while also competing against other players. Games like Tales of the Arabian Nights and Mythic drill down on roleplaying in a way few others can.
Improvise your way through new adventures. Theatrical Games are all about acting and storytelling off the top of your head. You create characters and scenes without a script, relying on your creativity to drive the action. Games like 13th Age are driven by movement and position – contributing to this theater-of-the-mind.
Think outside the box with Abstract RPGs. These push the boundaries of traditional roleplaying concepts. They explore core ideas and mechanics – creating unique and thought-provoking experiences in the process. Games like Dream and Mythic are abstract RPGs loved by fans around the globe.
Everyone's a storyteller here. GM-less RPGs distribute the game master's responsibilities among all players – letting everyone help mold the narrative. Each player has equal input in the decision-making. A game like Fiasco is a great example, providing a structure that leads players to create spontaneous (and yes, sometimes chaotic) stories together.
