With Vox Machina series, and a promising new trailer for their movie, tabletops are gaining a resurgence in popularity. Still, despite Dungeons and Dragons being the most popular, it’s far from the only TTRPG on the market.
They use incredibly unique systems and settings far removed from the pen and paper fantasy that most gamers are familiar with. Reddit has done a fantastic job in sharing these board games with the world. They definitely deserve some love from the mainstream.
Gubat Banwa
Gubat Banwa is not a typical fantasy RPG. Instead of being set in a Tolkien-esque world, the players are taken to the heroic fantasy setting of Precolonial Southeast Asia. Specifically, in the islands of the Philippines. The game combines tactical battles of kinetic martial arts and strange sorcery with political intrigue and interpersonal drama.
As u/HighFiv-e’s excited comment states, “So excited to see Gubat Banwa on there. Been following the creator and artist for a while. It’s such a refreshing change of fantasy setting and it’s really got me thinking a lot about how to enjoy tactical content again. I’m excited to see where it goes.”, it’s clear how much of a breath of fresh air the game is for the TTRPG community.
ARC: Doom
ARC: Doom is a uniquely designed system set at the end of the world. Instead of strict mechanics, the game emphasizes storytelling and player-driven ideas. What makes ARC so fun for one-shots is it’s not tied to any specific lore. There are unique spells, techniques, and creatures to embody the mechanics, but they are easily customizable adventures, much like DnD 5e.
Because the setting is at the end of the world itself, there is a real timer where, regardless of your party’s progress, the world ends when it reaches zero. As u/malkavlad360 succinctly puts it, “I love the idea of playing with one of my DnD groups and watching that moment of realization where the Doomsday Clock doesn't stop just because they want a beverage.”
Monster Care Squad
Instead of monster slaying, why not monster caring? This is the question that Monster Care Squad asks its players. Set in the Ghibli-inspired world of Ald-Amura, players take on the role of Monster Care Specialists. These elite veterans are tasked with curing the world’s monsters of their ills, caused by a mysterious poison known as The False Gold.
Even Monster Hunter fans like It feels like Monster Hunter but instead of hunting monsters you're coming up with tactics and trying to cure the monster. It's more narrative but it’s a nice change of pace from hitting things over and over again."
CBR+PUNK
As games like Shadowrun have proven, there is always a market for cyberpunk. For those looking for a hectic one-shot cyberpunk experience, CBR+PUNK is the perfect game. In this game, players take control of people on the run from something. It could be killer robots, dystopian police, or something far more sinister entirely.
As u/indifferenttosports says, “It's so rad. And I almost guarantee that eight seconds on the game's Itch page will convince almost anyone even remotely interested to buy & play this game.” The game is tightly designed for one-shot play, and there is very little downtime compared to other tabletop RPGs. The player’s characters are defined by their gear, and tension is built through dynamic threats and glitches.
Wanderhome
This is a TTRPG for those who grew up with fantasy series like Redwall and Secret of NIMH. Wanderhome is a pastoral fantasy RPG about traveling animal-folk as the world changes around them. It’s a very lighthearted and relaxing game, with an emphasis on worldbuilding. Fascinatingly, it also uses a diceless system, instead opting for tokens to perform actions.
A fan of the game, u/Logan_Maddox, glowingly says, “So glad to see Wanderhome here, it feels so chill. If only I could convince my players to play something less violent. It also feels like it'd be a little harder to play by text, which is how we usually do it, rather than by voice. Oh well.” While it might not be the action-packed affair people are used to, the right mood can make it a great narrative experience.
The Nightmares Underneath
The Nightmares Underneath is an old-school horror fantasy RPG set in a fantasy Middle East. Although the Kingdom of Dreams seems peaceful, chaos simmers underneath the surface. Science and reason are the tools of the players’ trade. As they pilfer the infamous Nightmare Dungeons of their powerful artifacts, they improve their base.
However, it could very well cost them their souls. As u/Barbarbibunny says, “It has a unique Ottoman-influenced setting that actually provides a context in which dungeon-exploring makes sense. It's an amazing example of a game where everything, setting, and mechanics, is tailored to a clear vision of the play.”
Ten Candles
Ten Candles is a very strange RPG. Much like ARC: Doom, it’s also set at the end of the world and is focused on narrative. However, Ten Candles is much bleaker and ritualistic. The room is pitch-black. The only light is from the Ten Candles. These real-life candles are the game’s timer. Players record a “final message” that they will all play once the candles go out. With each candle snuffed out, each player’s death breaches ever closer.
And make no mistake, death will come. There is no traditional “victory” in Ten Candles. It’s all about deciding how they face death that players get their experience. As u/ FullTorsoApparition explains, “Make a BIG DEAL out of reminding the players that they're going to LOSE. The point isn't to win like in D&D, because that's impossible. The point is to make the most thrilling story you can.”
Haunted West
Haunted West is an alternate history sci-fi RPG that re-imagines a more fantastical Old West. Unlike the similarly premised Deadlands RPG, the game opts for a more serious world with a distinct identity. While there are sprinklings of fantasy and sci-fi, the game is grounded, taking place in an America where the Reconstruction flourished for many years.
It portrays the Old West for the diverse era it truly was. The rules themselves are easy enough to understand, but those who opt for the full package get a ton of fantastic lore. u/DiceActionFan pours praise by saying, “Haunted West is an amazing book and well worth the purchase. It has in-depth research with amazing photos and has all the usual persons like Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and also those people usually ed over in history.”
Flying Circus
Flying Circus is essentially the setting of Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso come to life. Centuries after war ravaged the world, society has come back from the brink. Mercenary pilots from the titular Flying Circus complete missions to gain wealth and renown. The game has two parts: Incredibly authentic fantasy dogfights and charming interpersonal character development.
The game’s setting is in a fantasy world, where dragons roam the skies and magic has returned to the world. Even aeronautics nerds adore how closely the game mirrors the experience of flying a plane. u/Airk-Seablade puts it best by saying, “Came to recommend Flying Circus. I have a friend who is an aeronautics buff, and he REALLY LIKES the way planes actually make sense.”
Lancer
Lancer is a “mud-and-lasers” mecha RPG that has players take on the role of Lancers, mech pilots working for their manufacturing corporations. It’s a fully realized world where players can customize their mecha just as much as their stories. It’s Gundam meets Titanfall meets Warframe, and even that description doesn't quite fit Lancer's unqiue setting.
Lancer is one of the most popular indie tabletop RPGs to come out in recent years. It made over 10 times its Kickstarter goal and continues to receive to this day. u/RedRiot0 puts it best, ”If you're big on Tactical Combat and Giant Robots punching other Giant Robots, Lancer is an easy sell. It hits a fine target in how it accomplishes the tactical combat and mech customization without being too complex, but just crunchy enough that you got something worthwhile to chew on.”