I’m really keen to get more RPGs to the table. I’m happy to do this as a player, or as a GM. One of the goals of this is to play more games that are not D&D. Some of the games I’m going to try for are already quite familiar to me, but others are new to me. I’m also open to suggestions for other games and modules to try out.
So, then, what are the games that have my attention at the moment? What are the games that I would love to run as one-shots or shorter, time-limited campaigns? Well, here are five to get us started…
Paranoia
Paranoia is a perennial favourite, and one which is built for one-shots. I’ve played a fair amount of both second edition and the boxed edition from Mongoose. Now, I’d like to try out the new version from Mongoose.
In terms of the adventure, there are options. I am happy to homebrew, pick up a recent adventure, or trot out a classic, like Orcbusters. I love running the game, so I’m happy to try whatever. I can see this happening relatively quickly because I’m already pretty much set up for it.
Call of Cthulhu
I’ve played a few good one-shots of Call of Cthulhu, both at club and online. My most recent game was online using a fantastic cold war era module (unfortunately only available in German) that saw players take on the roles of Russian soldiers at a remote monitoring station when strange events started happening.
The game was delightfully frustrating and ended with us making the ultimate sacrifice in order to try to save a world that we, ourselves, would never see again. Bleak? Maybe. It fits the tone, though!
In terms of my own game, I’m less confident with Paranoia, so I’d likely not go with an original story and instead try to find a good module, or at least a setting, such as one of the city books, or the regency-era book.
Alternatively, there’s always Delta Green…
Blades in the Dark
Doskvol, the setting of Blades in the Dark, is really interesting. It’s dark, bleak, Victorian fantasy setting. You’re not really out to save the world because it’s already pretty much over, and the land is stuck in perpetual night. You aren’t heroes here; you’re scoundrels, out to survive.
The game feels really interesting and quite different from anything else. The idea of working together to further your criminal enterprise is appealing. I know less about this game than the others, so this would take a bit more work to get going.
The Dresden Files
Like Paranoia, The Dresden Files is a perpetual favourite here. The setting is so rich and developed over the course of the lengthy series of novels, short stories, and the terrible TV show. I just love the series.
The game is also a lot of fun. I’ve played a few campaigns now. Two used the original game, and one used the Accelerated rules. Both games are good, and really accessible. The underlying Fate system is a lot of fun, and I adore the aspects system which encourages and rewards character-driven roleplay.
I don’t think that I’d take a plot directly from any of the books, but would rather take elements from them and merge them with the settings outlined in The Paranet Papers. Maybe we could go to Florida to explore the Neverglades? Perhaps we should spend some time in Vegas, trapped in the glamour of the fey?
God, I just want to play this again!
Slav Borg
I love the punky aesthetic of Mork Borg, and I’m always keen to see what other people do with the system. One interpretation that I found interesting (and shared last year) is Slav Borg.
Described as a post-Soviet semi-fantasy game, Slav Borg puts an Eastern European spin on the Mork Borg formula, incorporating historical, fantasy, and sci-fi-ish elements. It also brings a dynamic racing system to Mork Borg which adds a new dimension and focus to the game.
I was recently sent a review copy of the PDF version of the Kickstarter pledge, and I’ve been flipping through the book with barely-contained glee. It would be great to be able to get this one to the table both for the game itself and to inform a possible review.
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