Looking for a short, rules lite family RPG

[AtomicPope]

Considering there's still a superhero craze in entertainment, I'd recommend Sentinels RPG. We've used the Sentinels GYRO (Green Yellow Red Out, like the only Marvel FASERIP) as an intro for new players and it's surprisingly easy to play. The rules are quite simple, and the only thing that's time consuming is DMing (creating adventures takes a little getting used to). As far as the game itself a new player can pick up the game and start playing in a few minutes. The game play is driven by the narrative: say what you want to do then choose best skills and powers to do it. Also, the game has a countdown timer that escalates play (all encounters have a set number of rounds and then it's over) which is visible.

 

[Manbearcat]

@darkbard , Lady Blackbird by John Harper is easily the best ultra tiles-lite rpg I’ve run. 14 page PDF available below.

Lady Blackbird - Steampunk Roleplaying Games

Download the free roleplaying game Lady Blackbird and other steampunk adventures in the Wild Blue.

ladyblackbird.org

 

[Staffan]

The Troubleshooters is rules medium-to-light (substantially lighter than D&D5, but heavier than e.g. FATE), and set in an alternate 60s and inspired by Franco-Belgian comics like Tintin or Spirou & Fantasio (I think it leans a bit more toward Spirou than Tintin, as it has a bit more of a fantastical touch). It has more focus on investigation and exploration than combat (though it's not a "pacifist" game by any means). You can find a number of demo/quickplay scenarios at the Troubleshooters Archive, which come with pregenerated characters and pared-down rules.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I really like Monster of The Week. It’s almost too simple, for me.

 

[hawkeyefan]

All the John Harper mentions made me think of Danger Patrol. Totally free.

Danger Patrol - Action/Adventure Roleplaying in the World of Tomorrow

Action adventure roleplaying in the World of Tomorrow!

www.dangerpatrol.com

 

[Bill Zebub]

I can highly recommend Hero Kids.

My kids (7 & 10) love it. We've played multiple game sessions and they're keen for more.

Although, now that I reflect on it, the fact that I let them have a lolly every time they succeed in an encounter might have something to do with that.....

We've played some Hero Kids, too (age range 5-7) and the kids (mine and a couple friends) loved it, but I found it unsatisfying. It is too simple, imo.

I bought the PDFs for Quest, mentioned upthread, and am gobbling it up. I think we're going to give that a whirl. The video review is helpful.

 

[MaskedGuy]

Nobody is recommending cypher system?

 

[Aldarc]

Nobody is recommending cypher system?

I'm not sure if I would call the Cypher System "short rules lite." I understand that the GM-side of things is pretty light and loosey-goosey, but it accomplishes that by off-loading a lot of the complexity to the player side of things. Plus there is a various maths involved between spending and managing pool points, Edge, Effort, etc. with abilities. Add in all the moving parts of various player options? It's not a game that I would recommend for someone new to RPGs who wants to run something light for their kids.

 

[darkbard]

I'm not sure if I would call the Cypher System "short rules lite." I understand that the GM-side of things is pretty light and loosey-goosey, but it accomplishes that by off-loading a lot of the complexity to the player side of things. Plus there is a various maths involved between spending and managing pool points, Edge, Effort, etc. with abilities. Add in all the moving parts of various player options? It's not a game that I would recommend for someone new to RPGs who wants to run something light for their kids.

Yes, I think the paramount stipulation is a game that is short and accessible as a possible entry to the hobby, both for my friend as would-be GM and for his boys. Skimming through the thread, I think many (but not all) of the suggestions fit the bill. There needs to be no presumption of what it means to RPG and how to do it built in; that needs some articulation in the rules.

 

[aramis erak]

Nobody is recommending cypher system?

The system isn't terribly complex on paper, but I've not run it, only skimmed it, in the Numenera books.
It's wordier than it needs to be, the 10 levels of difficulty at 3 point intervals is presented poorly. Simple concept.
I'm not fond of only three attributes. I found it a flaw with other games.
I'm not fond of HP as effort, and it uses the 3 atts as different kinds of HP.
The reviews range all over the place. Some groups seem to grasp the playstyle needed to make it fun, others don't.
Complaints about GMs not giving enough Cyphers and Artifacts abound, so the simplicity of mechanics isn't transparency of mechanical reward systems. (IE, it apparently doesn't give sufficient advice. I've not read enough to know directly.)