Suggestions for non-fantasy rpgs

[Jhaelen]

Shadowrun is the logical choice but not necessarily the best choice.

I'd argue that Shadowrun is a fantasy rpg.

How about Eclipse Phase? You even get the rules for free!

 

[Argyle King]

Shadowrun, GURPS, HERO, Savage Worlds, Twilight: 2013 -- all (can) have guns and explosions.

The second one; especially if you have High-Tech. The Action! pdfs are nice too.

 

[ourchair]

I heartily endorse Shadowrun Fourth Edition.

Of course, I understand that it has elves and orks and therefore is not a complete break from fantasy. However, with subsystems for technological skills, an emphasis on a more mercenary tone as opposed to most D&D-like games that act as simulators of action adventure heroics, it's enough of a difference IMHO.

That said, your mileage for Shadowrun may vary. I have a great GM who teaches the rules well and a great group that makes the game far better than it probably would be with more typical groups. In fact, I think my present gaming group is a better Shadowrun team than it is a D&D4E one.

I kind of wish the online community for Shadowrun was as robust as it is for D&D4E though.

 

[TarionzCousin]

The new Gamma World is due out in October.

 

[theskyfullofdust]

A little more information might help.

Do they like crunchy rules (OK they play D&D, so probably)?

Do they like highly lethal combat?

Do they favour tactically detailed games, or vaguer ones?

Do they like carefully designed characters, or randomly generated ones?

Can you be a little more precise about the genre?

Well, they don't mind crunchy rules but not too complex- as the sessions are usually only 2 hours long, I don't want to spend most of that time dealing with rules or overly long combats.

Lethal combat is fine, and I think tactical is better than vague, if only because we're on-line and using maps helps keep everyone focused.

They all like character creation, but it doesn't need to be too in depth.

Genre-wise: anything really. Between us we've covered most genres, so anything goes.

 

[theskyfullofdust]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Most of us have played a lot of the games you mention, although some are older versions (i.e. Shadowrun when it was in its 2nd incarnation; Earthdawn when it came out, the various WoD ones too).

I've been thinking about Eclipse Phase actually, saw it a few weeks back but hadn't checked it out fully. Now I have and it could be what I want. Just suggested it to the players.

Has anyone played it?

 

[MortonStromgal]

I've played EP a couple times.

Character Creation is template build with extra points for point building. Its a simple d100 system somewhere between Call of Cthuhlu and Unknown Armies. The systems tends to stay out of the way but doesn't do anything inspiring at the same time. The world on the other hand is very inspiring.

 

[jaerdaph]

I'm going to recommend

• Icons - Rules light Supers
• Colonial Gothic - Supernatural Horror during the American Revolution
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space - Cubicle7's new Doctor Who RPG.
• Monsters and Other Childish Things especially the Dreadful Secrets of Candlewick Manor setting.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I'm going to recommend

• Icons - Rules light Supers
• Colonial Gothic - Supernatural Horror during the American Revolution
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space - Cubicle7's new Doctor Who RPG.
• Monsters and Other Childish Things especially the Dreadful Secrets of Candlewick Manor setting.

Okay. Let us know when you recommend these games.

We'll wait.

 

[Wightbred]

We use 3:16 for our short breaks and play it over Skype. Barrels of fun, easy to learn, minimal maps needed and you can complete a whole adventure in 2 hours.