And now for something completely different...

[DarkJester]

I'd like to try a new gaming system, but don't know where to start. I have some extra money at the moment and have been looking around but I'm not sure what would suit me and my group. I'm looking for something with a bit more graphic - realistic - feelling to it. Not nesarilly grim and gritty, just with more options/detail in and out of combat.

I really liked the flavor text in "Mage".
I browsed through a Exalted book but not for long, it seemed cool.
I've heard people say good things about GURPS.

Any suggestions?

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Hmmm.

If you can find it, check out Runequest (fantasy skill based RPG). I've never played it, but there's also Feng Shui (a kung fu game)

 

[Ezrael]

Not to slam GURPS, because it's a very useful game and I own a ton of the supplements, but be warned going in that it's a bit dispersed among supplements at the moment. It needs a 4th edition to collect all the rules that have popped up in other books. If you're going to get it and don't already own it, buy the Basic Set and Compendium I to start with. Then cherry pick the vast library of supplements to taste.

If you're looking for an easy to use Superhero game, Silver Age Sentinels (the Tri-Stat edition) is pretty sweet. I'd say something nice about Mutants and Masterminds here, but you did say *different* game systems. I realize Superheroic isn't all that realistic, but neither is Exalted, really (and I would like to play that game at some point).

 

[apocalypstick]

Unknown Armies!

Slick system and ultrapimp setting; can't go wrong, long as you're not the squeamish sort.

 

[Particle_Man]

Maybe Ars Magica?

 

[Wombat]

Maybe Ars Magica?

Which you can pick up as a FREE .pdf download at RPGNow

 

[DonAdam]

Riddle of Steel, though I haven't looked over it a great deal, looks good.

 

[FunkBGR]

I second Unknown Armies - it's simple, it's fun, and it's fast! The new 2nd Ed book looks BEAUTIFUL - and has tons of ideas for using as much of the setting or as little as you want! Want Zombies Take Over the World and We're All That's Left? It's got it! Want every McDonalds to be operated by a magically charged group, who only asks, "Want fries with that?" It's built into the system!

Seriously, check it out. This game is one that when I introduced it to players, they looked at it funny, made a character, and then after the first game - refused to let me run anything else.

It's built for a more modern setting, but wouldn't be to hard to make it for any setting.

 

[Angcuru]

Go with Exalted, I say! Very nice overall, and the bonus dice for good descriptions of actions add to the juicy flavorfullness of the game. Just be sure that you send appropriate challenges against your PCs. I managed to totally twink out a Lunar Full Moon with max strength stats, charms, etc, gave him a reaver dai-klaive, and he managed to decapitate a Tyrant Lizard in a single strike. Note that a Tyrant Lizard is akin to a Dire Smilodon.

 

[CarlZog]

OK, this is digging pretty deep into the closet, but for reality check out Chivalry and Sorcery. I only ever played the first edition (20+ years ago), but it still has a solid following. Very "true-to-history" medieval game. Extremely detailed magic system.

CZ