There are a lot of RPGs out there. That much is clear. The question I’d like to take on is: Which one(s) would I play, and why? There are a few criteria by which I will judge this:
- Theme/Genre
- Character Building
- Mechanics
- Innovation
Theme/Genre
When we talk about theme, we find the basis for the game we’re going to play. Much of this can come from the group playing, but the game itself can be pivotal to the discussion. Do we play fantasy, like D&D or Pathfinder, sci-fi, like Star Wars (in its various incarnations) or Shadowrun, or supers, like DC Adventures or ICONS?
Character Building
How do you build your character? It may seem like a strange question, unless you have played a variety of games, and have gone through the process of getting those numbers down on paper. What it boils down to (among other things, but most notably) is concepts of complexity vs. straightforwardness, randomness vs. intention, mechanics vs. story, etc. I’d go so far as to say that character building is one of, if not THE most important feature to consider when selecting the right RPG. When you’re playing a game that tells character-focused stories, it’s important that character building give you the ability to play a character that you find satisfying.
Mechanics
How does the game actually play? Once you’ve built a character, or at least have one ready to play, the actual playing of the game should serve your character, and facilitate that character’s exploits. If it takes forty-five minutes to an hour to work out what happens in five to ten seconds, there’s a problem. (Palladium, anyone?)
Game mechanics should ideally fade into the background, becoming reflexive. Some games do away with mechanics almost completely, leaving precious little chance for randomness, saving such things to be handled by committee.
Innovation
Finally, we talk innovation. Themes are a great thing, and whe a great theme suggests a great mechanism, there’s gold in that thar rulebook! Seriously, though, a solid mechanic inspired by story can break the mold, and really set the tone for your game sessions.
Take VOX, for example. Everyone plays characters that have one or more voices in their head. Some games tackle this reasonably enough, but VOX goes a step further, and gives control of that voice to another player. Let me say that again: *ANOTHER PLAYER!* Things get even crazier when the voice takes over, and that other player takes over the character.
Another great example is Eclipse Phase. The PDF is available free online, so go get it. I’ll be here when you get back. Got it? Good. Now, Eclipse Phase does something really tricky. Have you ever gotten tired of your character partway through a campaign? When that happens in Eclipse Phase, you can just download your consciousness into a new body, and you’re good to go. There’s a ton of other things this game does well, but I don’t have room for that. Just know that innovation seems to be the byword, and they’re sticking to it.
Conclusion
When looking for a good RPG, keep in mind that it’s about the story *you* want to tell, and how *you* want to tell it. There’s no definitive answer as to what’s the big game everyone should play, but there is an answer for the game you’re going to enjoy.
I like to vary things up. I love D&D, but I’ll vacation in Eclipse Phase, or Amber Diceless, or Vampire. The point is find what experience you and your group will enjoy, so you have something to do between drinking beer, eating Chinese food, and cracking each other up with obscure movie quotes.
How do you pick your games? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments, and, as always, watch those threatened squares.
Links
- D&D
- Pathfinder
- Star Wars:
- D6 Version (West End Games)
- D20 Version/Saga Edition (Wizards of the Coast)
- Shadowrun
- DC Adventures
- ICONS (Sorry, couldn’t find the actual site, so I linked the Cubicle 7 store)
- Palladium Books
- VOX
- Eclipse Phase
- Vampire (by White Wolf)
*Picture previously published at The Walrus.