Dungeons and Dragons may the grandfather of Role Playing Games, but there is a whole world of RPGs just waiting for eager players dive into them.
Dungeons and Dragons has a rightful place as the dominant tabletop roleplaying game, however, it is far from the only one worth playing. There is a whole world of roleplaying available for those looking for a different experience from D&D, either in terms of a more immersive game, or for those looking for a lighter, easier roleplaying experience.
The first, and most significant RPG to mention is the one that temporarily dethroned D&D, Pathfinder. During the dark days of fourth edition D&D, RPG makers Paizo released Pathfinder, a game based off the rules of the beloved previous edition. This was possible through the Open Gaming License, a concept inspired by the open source software movement. To this day, the Open Gaming License allows any RPG publishers to use the rules of Third Edition Dungeons and Dragons to create their own games. The creation of the OGL was a watershed moment for independent publishers and many fantastic games owe their existence to the OGL. Pathfinder used the OGL to create a game similar to D&D, but with some notable differences that helped to create a loyal following. The most obvious difference Pathfinder only has one core rulebook, compared to D&D’s three books, and it is mercifully published in paperback. The price barrier for entry to Pathfinder is much lower than D&D. Pathfinder also streamlined the famously number-heavy 3.5 D&D. These innovations combine to create a game that is both deep and approachable.
Another notable RPG using the Open Gaming License is Dungeon World. Dungeon World is an innovative low-preparation RPG, the Game Master is encouraged to “Draw maps and leave blank spaces”, meaning most of the world-building and the story is left for the characters to determine.Unlike D&D and Pathfinder, Dungeon World does not use a combat grid at all, instead characters narrate their actions with the help of dice rolls. This makes it an excellent game for players looking for an RPG that has the classic fantasy theme but focuses on characters and their relationships.
Some players may be looking for a lighter role-playing experience; not every game needs to be an intense dungeon delve, or character driven drama. For players wanting to “get in and get out” Fiasco is an excellent easy RPG. Inspired by dark comedies such as Blood Simple, Fargo, or a A Simple Plan, Fiasco has no game master and an entire game lasts a few hours. Players use dice to create characters and throw them into various terrible situations and try to resolve them. Each game is a unique blend of tragedy and comedy that be talked about for months after the session. Fiasco is the perfect RPG for players looking for an RPG experience that is focused on easy fun and laughing with the other players.
Dungeons and Dragons may the grandfather of Role Playing Games, but there is a whole world of RPGs just waiting for eager players dive into them. From tactile combat, horror movie improvisation, or deep character driven storytelling there is a perfect RPG for every group of players.
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