5 rpgs I would take to a deserted island.

[RandomCitizenX]

Hmm if it is just 5 books
1. Mutants and Masterminds 2nd ed
2. Savage Worlds
3. 7th Sea Players guide
4. Star Wars Saga Ed.
5. 7th Sea Game Masters Guide

If it was five games, just swap out the 7th sea GM's guide for 4th ed D&D

 

[GAAAHHH]

I'll give it a shot. Remember, that these are five books I would choose because I could get the most games out of them, not because they are my five favorite games (although they are very good games).

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2. D&D Rules Cyclopedia -edging out Warhammer Fantasy RPG
3. Call of Cthulhu -Edging out World of Darkness because there is more stuff in the core book
4. Star Drive. I would run the setting with modified Call of Cthulhu (or maybe Shadowrun)rules.
5. Shadowrun 2nd or 3rd edition.

 

[jdsivyer]

I've really enjoyed reading all of your lists.

So I have. Although there's been some common games in the lists (as to be expected - especially on a D&D forum ), I've seen other games that I had forgotten about (and even enjoyed), as well as games I've never heard of. Love hearing about games I don't know!

One of the interesting things has been the number of systems which are quite old; it must be that many of the older systems were complete unto themselves, not requiring extra books to get additional rules, etc. Such as Rules Cyclopedia, etc.

I know there are more recent systems that follow this track, but I'm wondering if it's as common as it used to be. Don't know. Perhaps because it's so early in the morning my mind can't focus properly, haha.

Been some great lists, though!

 

[The Green Adam]

One of the interesting things has been the number of systems which are quite old; it must be that many of the older systems were complete unto themselves, not requiring extra books to get additional rules, etc. Such as Rules Cyclopedia, etc.

I know there are more recent systems that follow this track, but I'm wondering if it's as common as it used to be. Don't know. Perhaps because it's so early in the morning my mind can't focus properly, haha.

Been some great lists, though!

I noticed this too and it was certainly part of my criteria when trying to decide my 5. If I grabbed Traveller for example, what would I really be grabbing? Either the original box with its 3 books, the Mongoose version or the excellent Far Future Enterprises compiled 'LLB' softcover. My favorite games are those where you really only need one book to play and you rarely if ever have to look back at the book during a session.

AD
"Never Give Up, Never Surrender!"

 

[Punnuendo]

In no particular order-

1) Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition (fast, fun, and you can do almost anything with it)
2) HERO 5th Ed Revised (another generic game, but good for when you want something chunkier than SW)
3) West End Games Star Wars (my first game, a nostalgia pick)
4) Spirit of the Century (for rules light hackability)
5) Burning Empires (contemplated Burning Wheel, but I'd need two book slots for that)

 

[Gundark]

Hmmm....

Well

D&D 4e
Savage Worlds
Warhammer Fantasy
Spycraft 1.0-2.0
Shadowrun 4.0

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If I grabbed Traveller for example, what would I really be grabbing? Either the original box with its 3 books, the Mongoose version or the excellent Far Future Enterprises compiled 'LLB' softcover.

There are lots of options for Traveller- not only do I have the original, but some of the later versions, the Mongoose edition, and even the D20 version.

I don't know which version I'd choose, but it would definitely be one of the single book versions.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Hmm... let me think.

1) Changeling the Lost
2) Hunter the Vigil
3) Twilight: 2000
4) D&D Rules Cyclopedia
5) Call of Cthulhu

 

[GlassJaw]

Savage Worlds.

I could run anything with it and the Explorer's Edition would take up no space.

+1

Although I'd probably bring an extra copy just in case the first one gets lost or damaged. I think I'd want to travel light and with SW, all you need is one small book!

 

[Korgoth]

1. OD&D (1974) (3 LBBs)
2. Carcosa
3. Gamma World 1e
4. Traveller (3 LBBs)
5. Call of Cthulhu


Now, if I were limited to 5 books, I would go with:

1. Labyrinth Lord
2. Carcosa
3. Gamma World 1e rulebook
4. The Traveller Book
5. Call of Cthulhu anniversary edition