My Favourite RPGs (Other)

While this set of roleplaying game pages details three specific roleplaying games (DragonQuest , The Edge of Midnight , and Hollow Earth Expedition ) that I consider to be my main RPGs, there are several other roleplaying games that I am very fond of, and that I have been known to run from time to time and when the mood suits me. While a few of these haven't been run in years now (and are not likely to be run for many moons to come), the others all see the dust swept off them and taken out to be played from time to time. What follows below is a list of some of my other favourite roleplaying games (RPGs) and a few notes and comments on each.

a/state RPG

Malcolm Craig, one of the fans of the Blue Planet rpg, has created a wonderful gothic science fiction roleplaying game set in The City. This game, a/state features a very simple set of dice mechanics and task resolution system, and a truly fascinating game environment. You can check out a/state and several other rpg games that the company, Contested Ground Studios, publishes by following the link.

Arrowflight: The Edge of Fantasy RPG

Arrowflight is a fantasy roleplaying game set against a backdrop that feels Renaissance-like in its style and setting. Using the DEEP game system from Deep7, a simple and easy-to-learn set of "self-test" game mechanics, the world of Arrowflight is rich and vibrant, and is a tapestry that holds all kinds of possibilities. What makes the Arrowflight game world of Nia so unique is that while many of the fantasy tropes that one expects to find are here, they have been redefined and somewhat altered, giving the game a different take on elves, dwarves, orcs, dragons, and the like.

Blood of Heroes RPG

The Blood of Heroes RPG is a super-hero roleplaying game that has as its basis the old DC Heroes RPG put out by Mayfair Games in the middle of the 1980s. Using the same rules that the DCH system used (the Mayfair Exponential Game System (MEGS)), the game is published by Pulsar Games and is still one of the, if not *the*, best superhero roleplaying games on the market today.

Blue Planet

One of the most innovative science fiction roleplaying games of all time, Blue Planet is an sf roleplaying game set on the waterworld of Poseidon, that finds the characters caught between a rock (the Natives willing to fight for their world) and a hard place (the Incorporates, out to take what they want from this world, regardless of who pays the price), all with an ecological theme to it that is one of the best ever written in an sf rpg. The game was most recently published by Fantasy Flight Games in a 2nd edition, but the rights have reverted back to the original publishers of the first edition, Biohazard Games. Their website is chock full of good stuff.

Continuum: Roleplaying in the Yet RPG

Time travel roleplaying games have their niche market, although it is my personal opinion that roleplaying games on time travel have not been done any form of justice over the years. The Continuum RPG (and its sister game, Narcissist) is probably the finest time travel rpg that has ever been published, and is a game somewhat rigourous in its science and in its believability. Published by Aetherco in cooperation with Dreamcatcher Multimedia, the Continuum rpg is one that requires a bit of math and bookkeeping, but is the *best* time travel rpg out there. You can check out my set of Continuum webpages on this site.

The Dying Earth RPG

One of the best darkly humourous fantasy roleplaying games on the market today, The Dying Earth RPG is a fantasy rpg that is based on the works of Jack Vance, and is quite faithful to Vance's works as well. With a unique set of game mechanics created by Robin Laws, the game is a remarkable testament to what one can do with a series of books in the roleplaying game venue. Published by Pelgrane Press in England, this is a game system that should not be ignored.

Faery's Tale

This is a simply marvellous roleplaying game that is designed for children of all ages, but actually works really well with young children. Set against a somewhat stereotypical faerie background, the players play a variety of character types from faerie tales in more innocent settings and all, with a truly simple set of game mechanics. Published by Firefly Games, this is a truly remarkable game system for adults and children of all ages.

Fvlminata: Armed with Lightning RPG

While historical fantasy roleplaying games are likely not everyone's cup of tea, I have always been a fan of the Roman Empire, and read fiction, non-fiction, and rpg settings dealing with the Romans avidly. The Fvlminata roleplaying game is one of the most roleplaying oriented rpgs about the Roman Empire ever written, and offers a world of intrigue, romance, drama, and societal and cultural reckoning that is not found in many other rpgs of its style and genre. Oh, and the use of tali (Roman dice) makes for a nice touch. Sadly, while Thyrsus Games, the company that published the game is long gone, there are plans afoot to market a new edition of the game and and an official website that can be found by followinng the link.

Lace & Steel RPG

One of my favourite rpgs that has come out in the last ten or so years is the Lace & Steel RPG, a fantasy roleplaying game of the swashbuckling genre, that uses cards to resolve combat and all sorts of tasks. Published in a new edition by Pharos Press in 1998, the Lace & Steel system has some wonderful stuff in it, and is a hidden secret gem in the roleplaying game field.

Mechanical Dream RPG

A recent rpg to hit the market, the Mechanical Dream rpg was created by a couple of gamers in Montreal, and has one of the most unique game worlds I've ever seen in a roleplaying game. It is truly terrific, and I cannot do the game justice here. You can check out the official SteamLogic Mechanical Dream website that the company maintains for more information on the game.

Over the Edge RPG

Perhaps one of the most freeform game systems ever created, the Over the Edge rpg is one that is a game of surreal danger set on the infamous island of Al Amarja. Produced by Atlas Games, the company maintains a very nice website with all kinds of material and information on the game, and links to various OTE websites.

Principia Malefex RPG

One of the recent newcomers on the horror side of the roleplaying game table, Principia Malefex doesn't have a huge following in North America yet, and is still somewhat clunky in design and game mechanics. That said, this modern day horror and dark fantasy roleplaying game is one where the main opposition are the other people around one and one's own inner consciousness, and has an innovative design and style when it comes to the supernatural and magic. You can check out the official Principia Malefex website that is maintained by Ruari Armstrong.

WitchCraft RPG

One of the best modern day horror roleplaying games on the market has to be the WitchCraft system created by C.J. Carella, and marketed by the same folks who have also brought you the All Flesh Must Be Eaten , Buffy: The Vampire Slayer , and Angel rpgs. You can check out the Eden Studios website by following the link.

If you have any comments, thoughts, criticisms, or other words of wisdom that you would like to share with me on this subject, please feel free to drop me a line in e-mail and share your thoughts.