Games you can pick up and play

[Deuce Traveler]

Dungeons and Dragons Rules Compendium or just the old basic set. Also, anyone with DnD experience can learn Castles and Crusades relatively quickly. I also think Lejendary Adventures is easy to play, but the problem is that it takes awhile to read and learn the rules to that one. Once you figure it out, though, it is quite simple.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I'd say Feng Shui is relatively simple to pick up and play, especially if you don't include the spellcasting archetypes (which is very easy to exclude). The mechanics are also relatively simple.

Olaf the Stout

 

[HellHound]

My own creation, AssassinX.

http://enworld.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=5433&

Not only is it easy to play, quick to create characters, but half the book is a set of tables for making quick game sessions.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

What non-d20 games are quick to pick up and start playing right away? What makes them quick -- simple rules? Random character generation? Minimal crunch?

Spirit of the Century.

It has simple rules and minimal crunch (except for stunts). The character generation process also lets you write a backstory without writing a lengthy novel (you write a "pulp" novel blurb). It even has something like a class bonus to Defense (you use either Fists, Weapons or Athletics to dodge attacks) so you don't end up getting cut to ribbons (and also there's no magic items).

 

[kenobi65]

D6 Star Wars - really fast to create characters with, intro adventure included with rulebook

Agreed...either the 1st Edition, or 2nd Edition Revised and Expanded (which we'd probably call "2.5" these days).

 

[sydbar]

If you can get ahold of it Teenagers From Outer Space, is a fun game with 4 classes, D6 for stats, and you can't die, just look totally stupid. Everyone plays highschoolers with teenage humans or teenage aliens, most have some sort of special abilities.

 

[RFisher]

Assuming you understand the basic concept of RPGs...

• Star Cadets
• Dungeon Squad

Of course, they require some improvising since there's little (if any) setting or adventure. On the other hand, being willing to steal liberally from books, TV, & movies can be substituted for improvisation.

 

[Professor Phobos]

What non-d20 games are quick to pick up and start playing right away? What makes them quick -- simple rules? Random character generation? Minimal crunch?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, or Army of Darkness- all using the "Cinematic Unisystem" rules.

It is, in my opinion, the world's most perfect RPG system, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees. It is simple, fast, logical, tactical enough for my tastes, offers players fun, GMs an easy time...

So great.

Honorable Mention goes to: Spirit of the Century, Wild Talents and Blue Planet.

 

[Henry]

I'd have to say Risus should be firmly added to the list; the rules are all of six pages, with illustrations, and all characters are a collection of a couple of dice pools. Dirt simple. It's TWERPS for the 21st century.

Feng Shui to me is an easy game to pick up and run; I was introduced and was hooked in one session. There's just one die mechanic, and easy to teach if the player has ever seen a Wuxia or over-the-top action film.

 

[Black_Swan]

Legend of the Five Rings.

Easy to play, easy character gen with great class choices, great story, and lot's of Samurai Action.