Yesterday the legendary Matt Colville uploaded another YouTube video. I’d like to say it’s part of his Running the Game series. But in reality it’s not.
The video is entitled “Talking About RPGs: Mechanics vs Setting, and Styles of Play”, and it’s embedded below for your viewing pleasure.
I think this video is a first for Matt as it is a response to someone else’s video. However what interested me about this video is it’s focus on other non-D&D RPG systems and in particular what Matt liked about the Warhammer Fantasy 3rd Edition RPG. Which I believe was by FFG and used the dice system that went on to power their Star Wars RPG, Genesys RPG and L5R RPG. Spoiler it’s those dice that Matt really likes.
Although I haven’t gotten them to the table I do have a few none D&D RPGs. So why did I buy them? What is it that attracted me to them? Below I talk briefly about each RPG in my collection trying to answer those questions.
Genesys (Terrinoth, Android, Keyforge) – I can’t remember exactly what attracted me to the FFG Genesys system. I want to say it was the dice system used. But it could also have been it was a generic system. The fact it eventually had an Android setting sourcebook was icing on the cake.
Judge Dredd and Worlds of 2000 A.D (Strontium Dog, Rogue Trooper) – this was initially purely the theme. I’m a Judge Dredd fan. I owned the original 1985 RPG. So for me this was a no brainer. However reading the rules I like the d6 dice pool system it uses.
Paranoia – Fond memories of playing this in the late 80’s whilst a student in Brighton, coupled with knowing James Wallis one of the folks responsible for the new edition saw me backing this on Kickstarter. I love the sci-fi setting, but more importantly the tone. This is a fun, humorous game. It’s not meant to be taken seriously.
The End of The World (Zombie Apocalypse, Alien Invasion) – This was entirely the theme and the fact players played themselves in the game trying to survive in whichever town you all lived in. The d6 system kind of reminds me a little of the narrative dice system used in Genesys. But one aspect I love about this is a players starting equipment is whatever they have in their pockets or the room you are playing in at the time! How cool is that?
Alien – apart from the fact I love the movies, what attracted me to this game was the stress mechanic. Or more exactly the stress dice and the push your luck element they introduced.
Cyberpunk Red – this was 100% bought based on the theme. If you haven’t guessed I love the cyberpunk genre. And this oozes theme.
Star Wars RPG 30th Anniversary edition – this was a nostalgia based purchase. We know I’m a Star Wars fanboy. So this reprint was a no brainer.
Thunderbirds – Although I grew up watching Thunderbirds, and love the show. I never actually went and bought this! This was part of the Kickstarter for the board game by Matt Leacock (creator of Pandemic). I went all in on my pledge, and this was part of that. It might have even been a stretch goal. It does come with some cards that aid in creating emergency/rescue missions for International Rescue to react to. Which is pretty nifty.
Elfquest – I’ve owned this for decades and never got it to the table. I loved the comics, so it was definitely the setting that attracted me to this.
Fate Condensed – another on a whim purchase. But it’s the fact this is a generic system geared towards telling a shared story with the players that attracted me to it. I suppose it’s the complete opposite to D&D and I’m curious about how that’d work.
Zombie World – apart from the theme, I do like zombie movies and have one or two zombie themed boardgames. What attracted me to this RPG was the fact it is a card based RPG. There are no dice what so ever. And that intrigued me.
Alice is Missing – the novelty of this RPG is what attracted me to it. A silent RPG where the players communicate with each other using only their mobile phones. Plus there is no GM! Colour me intrigued.
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game – It’s pretty obvious the theme initially attracted me to this. But I like how you are jumping around the book from one location to another based on how well you did or on a die roll. So no two plays are the same.
I hope you find the above enlightening, maybe interesting.