Looking for an investigative/horror system

[Philotomy Jurament]

• Esoterrorists. My first thought was Trail of Cthulhu with the pulp option (instead of the purist option), but I think Esoterrorists would be an even better fit. It's modern, using the same basis as Trail of Cthulhu (i.e. GUMSHOE), and doesn't have the "death or insanity" baggage of the Cthulhu games, at all. In any case, I think the GUMSHOE system has a lot to offer investigative games.
• Basic Roleplaying (i.e., the gold book). Obviously, BRP is the basis of Call of Cthulhu, but the Basic Roleplaying gold book is a collection of rules and options covering everything: fantasy, modern, horror, sci-fi, supers, etc. And it has many levels of rules detail. You'd need to pick and choose what rules and options to include, but you'd get a game tweaked exactly the way you want it.

 

[Thondor]

If I was running something like this I'd use mortal World of Darkness (just the core book) and probably add in Second Sight for the magic system. If you don't like werewolves and Vampires just don't use them.
It problably be handy for a Player or two to have a core book, but only the GM would really need Second Sight. (Honestly the character sheet of World of Darkness is so inherently logical that its really all you need to ever give a player besides an explanation of the virtues and vices.)

 

[ValhallaGH]

(Honestly the character sheet of World of Darkness is so inherently logical that its really all you need to ever give a player besides an explanation of the virtues and vices.)

And the Merits. And what skill specialties are appropriate. And what the skills do, specifically. And what their common bonuses and penalties for their tools kits are. And how much gear they can have. And ....

WoD is as inherently crunchy as D&D 3.5. It just has different billing.

 

[Remus Lupin]

Chill
Trail of Cthulhu -- Pulp Option
Savage Worlds

I haven't played esoterrorists, but from my glances at it, I would second that as well.

 

[jaerdaph]

• 
  Esoterrorists. My first thought was Trail of Cthulhu with the pulp option (instead of the purist option), but I think Esoterrorists would be an even better fit. It's modern, using the same basis as Trail of Cthulhu (i.e. GUMSHOE), and doesn't have the "death or insanity" baggage of the Cthulhu games, at all. In any case, I think the GUMSHOE system has a lot to offer investigative games.

• 
  
  I would also recommend Fear Itself, another GUMSHOE game like Esoterrorists and Trail of Cthulhu but where the heroes are more "Average Joes".

 

[Treebore]

I got to play Cthonian Stars at Neon Con, a Traveller licensed Cthulthu esque type game done by the creators of Cthulthu Tech. I believe it is set in 2085, a TL 9 ish time frame. IE not much in our future. In fact, much of TL 9 is already in existence in Traveller terms.

I expressed that I also typically did not like Lovecraft games because they were ultimately hopeless. This game is probably hopeless, but ultimate victory is possible, just likely at a great cost.

Unfortunately it will not officially be out until March, as PDF, and then print should be out in April, but you do need the core Traveller Rule book, and he also recommended getting the Traveller Equipment book, both of which I already have since I am a Traveller and Judge Dredd fan.

 

[alms66]

Not a system suggestion, but just a general suggestion for anyone doing "Investigative" adventures - pick up a copy of GURPS Mysteries. It should be a great sourcebook for you regardless of what system you use.