Best single volume RPG?

[airwalkrr]

I think I would have to say that Star Wars SE is a really impressive book. It took a lot of kink-working-out to fix the d20 and revised editions, but SE is a remarkable system with a lot of integrity and only one essential rulebook.

 

[Psion]

I think I would have to say that Star Wars SE is a really impressive book. It took a lot of kink-working-out to fix the d20 and revised editions, but SE is a remarkable system with a lot of integrity and only one essential rulebook.

I dunno. Starship coverage is a bit light, and compelling if not essential for SW, I think.

 

[airwalkrr]

It does provide the essentials though, such as the most pertinent to the movies. I imagine I could probably run a Star Wars campaign without ever needed any ships other than those presented in the core rulebook.

 

[Masquerade]

Etherscope. I love a good steampunk game.

 

[Shawn_Kehoe]

Mutants & Masterminds - I think Instant Superheroes and Ultimate Power are nice to have, but you could get years of mileage out of the basic rulebook and a good comic collection.

Vampire: The Dark Ages - I ran a summer campaign with just this rulebook in 1998, and had a blast with it. Ironically, I did pick up a lot of the source material used afterwards, but we never really restarted the campaign afterwards.

Dread: A recent entry to be sure, but I think it really works well for cinematic horror.

Call of Cthulhu d20: Since Wizards knew this was a one-shot product, they pulled out all the stops.

Incidentally, why do some of you rate the 5th Edition of BRP CoC above 6th edition? I already have a copy of 5th, and now wonder if I should bother upgrading.

Shawn

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Spycraft 2.0 is pretty damn good and complete. I'd also throw out Conan 2.0 for having soup to nuts pretty much the whole package. Artesia would be my my underdog pick -- comprehensive rules for not only combat but social and societal interactions, and a great setting to boot, with top notch art and production values as well.

 

[Lancelot]

Nostalgia value: D&D Rules Cyclopedia ('91) - Most gaming bang-for-buck of any purchase I've ever made.

Current value: Star Wars Saga Edition - My group has switched from nearly 100% D&D to a 50% D&D / 50% Star Wars mix based on this rule-set alone... and we're not even particularly big Star Wars fans. It may not have every starship/vehicle/race/beast option I'd like, but it has enough of the basics that I can fill in the rest ad hoc.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Call of Cthulhu (BRP)
D&D Rules Cyclopedia

 

[Eltharon]

GURPs 4e is two smaller books, but I guess that doesn't count.

In that case, probably A Game of Thrones or Spycraft 2.0. Both great books, though our group is slipping away from D20 (!)

 

[scourger]

Savage Worlds gets my vote. One of the best games I've ever run.

Runner-up is Rifts. Yes, even with all its wonky rules; it's all still there in one book.

Honorable Mention to ORK! It has a great rules engine that really could be a lot of fun in a more serious game.