Best horror RPG, bar none!

[Calico_Jack73]

What in your educated opinion is the single best contemporary horror game ever published? Please include the reasons for your choice.

 

[Roger]

Dread, from The Impossible Dream.

Jenga, man. Jenga.



Cheers,
Roger

 

[Umbran]

Hm. The problem is the best horror game I played wasn't contemporary - it was pseudo-historical. Deadlands, to be specific.

The thing about Horror is that it is all about controlling expectations - that means that the execution of good horror is more about pacing and information control and atmosphere than it is about mechanics. So, I find it to be more about the DM than about the game system. YMMV

 

[Hjorimir]

So, I find it to be more about the DM than about the game system. YMMV

And I agree. Along that vein, the best book I've found on running a horror game is Nightmares of Mine. A wicked-awesome resource! 5 of 5 kinda stuff!

 

[nitril]

So far the best I've ever seen is Kult - the Swedish 1st Ed.

 

[Nlogue]

Dread.

Nothing else captures the sense of....well, the sense of dread. Fantastic game.

 

[Nebulous]

I haven't run a whole lot of horror games besides CoC, but i'll probably second the idea that it comes down more to the GM and his ability to set mood than actual game mechanics. I just ordered the Nightmares book from Amazon though, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Nareau]

Dread. Incredibly fun, and simple to run/play/prepare for.

Nareau

 

[Henry]

Dread kicked ENWorld in the junk and took its wallet.

I hope to have a chance to play a demo of it soon, because I've heard absolute raves about it.

 

[Arkham]

There are no good horror RPGs, just good horror GMs.