For someone looking to branch out...

[Jdvn1]

Hm, well I like:
Nobilis
In Nomine
Werewolf (not too many of the other WW games)
World Tree

I haven't decided on Exalted yet. It's a very high powered game, though, so... well, it depends on your style.

 

[Sanguinemetaldawn]

What game system would you recomend for someone who likes D&D but would like to try alternatives. Not necesarily fantasy, possibly sci-fi/cyberpunk but open to almost anything.

These would be the ones to look at...
They are/were all relatively big or successful, or made a real impact on the market



Shadowrun - cyberpunk, near dark future
material - 1 core book...for core expansion, there are about 5 books covering the specialities with optional rules, for the DM - beast book or 2, setting books (about 8-10), adventures (many)
***a new edition/major revision is about to be released***

Deadlands - creepy American West, where ghost stories are true
material - 1 core, 1 core general expansion, about 5 books covering various specialties
for the DM - beast book or 2, setting books & boxed sets (about 8-10), adventures (many)

Star Wars (d6) - do I need to summarize?
material - 1 core, 1 core general expansion, other expansions that aren't really worthwhile
for the DM - many galaxy guides (setting), many adventures

Cthulhu - horror game, VERY taste dependent, various settings (Middle Ages, 1890s, 1920s, 1990s)
material - 1 core, basically all you need, no player books really, because everyone always dies
for the DM - many setting books, many modules

Vampire/WoD - Gothic Horror basically, again taste dependent, various settings
material - core, CRAPLOAD of player books
for the DM - some setting books, some scenarios



Avoid any d20 variants of these (Cthulhu is an exception). Some of these aren't in print, but not too hard to find on eBay or the like. Some have interesting stories (Cyberpunk 2020 vs Shadowrun, Star Wars vs Traveller). But these games all have some real identity, and extensive support.

For Shadowrun, you could get in at the beginning of a new edition, if you are so inclined. For another (d6 Star Wars) its out of print, so the the library is basically defined, and you have the benefit of an entirely known quantity.

 

[ThirdWizard]

There's Big Eyes, Small Mouth! I don't know how the system works, but a friend of mine did some of the artwork for it, so it can't be that bad, right?

I've always wanted to try Call of Cthulhu.

 

[Jdvn1]

There's Big Eyes, Small Mouth! I don't know how the system works, but a friend of mine did some of the artwork for it, so it can't be that bad, right?

I've always wanted to try Call of Cthulhu.

You mean the d20 versions of each of those?

 

[Stormborn]

You mean the d20 versions of each of those?

Yes there are d20 versions of BESM and CoC. Thats the beauty of CoC, in all honestly system doesn't matter. There is always something bigger and scary out there.

I can't believe I forgot: UNKNOWN ARMIES! 1 book, although there are supplements, and 2 d10 is all a person needs to play. Oh, and some deep seated psycosis. Takes a special kind of group to play UA, but it can be apapted for lots of settings.

 

[Andor]

Shadowrun is a lot of fun.

Cyberpunk has a nicely simple and clean system.

Ars Magica has a terrific magic system and a different way of looking at both the world and the party.

Unknown Armies is very cool.

If you want to play SF there are any number of little systems that can be fun.

Gurps and Hero are both good for everything, although if you want to do superheros then Hero system is the clear winner. Big Eyes Small Mouth is another generic system although it is obviously angled for anime style games, it's probably the quickest of the generic systems to learn.

If you want fantasy with a different flavor from DnD both Earthdawn and WHFRP work well.

And if you want a REAL change of pace there are several LARP systems that will let you whack your friends with foam swords.

 

[Captain NeMo]

And if you want a REAL change of pace there are several LARP systems that will let you whack your friends with foam swords.

I don't think I have the nerve to try LARP'ing...besides, a little birdy told me it led to becoming a furry.

Shadowrun seems pretty high on my list, as is WHFRP. Warhammer fantasy seems to capture a lot of what I like in a fanasy theme, although there are plenty of aspects besides which I hate. More suggestions are welcome!

 

[Crothian]

Go with something well of the beaten path like Little Nightmares. It is a horror game where you play children and encounter the things kids truely fear.

 

[the Jester]

I suggest Warhammer Fantasy for a different take on adventuring in medieval European settings.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Warhammer. Just picked it up and initial impressions are great.

Shadowrun - fun game, but I find it works best with a group of 3-4 players. Much over that and it really slows down. YMMV.

Ars Magica - 4th edition pdf is free! (see sig!). 5th edtion is out now and IMO a general improvement.

Someone mentioned Deadlands - Wild West horror and I'd really rate it. Got a unique feel to it. Noticed quite a few game shops are dumping the older stuff really cheaply. Well worth it. I'd avoid the D20 version like the plague, it's not a good conversion.