Underrated RPGs

[rhythmsoundmotion]

There are so many tabletop RPGs on itch and DriveThruRPG some must get unfairly overlooked.
So what games have you found that don’t deserve to be ignored?
And yes they can have significant problems but not deserve obscurity (many popular games have significant problems as well.)

 

[Reynard]

The "Tiny d6" games don't get enough love, IMO, for being accessible light games that aren't "artsy" or "narrative."
I think Ironsworn: Starforged is criminally under loved.
Beyond the Wall is a less well known OSR that deserves love.

 

[Bae'zel]

I really, really liked Carbon Grey (from West End games, using their classic d6 system). Cool art, simple rules, very playable pulp war setting, but it seems utterly forgotten

I think Ironsworn: Starforged is criminally under loved.
Beyond the Wall is a less well known OSR that deserves love.

For sure! Ironsworn and Beyond the Wall were some of my favorite game books ever. I wish they were more well known (unless I missed something).

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

The "Tiny d6" games don't get enough love, IMO, for being accessible light games that aren't "artsy" or "narrative."
I think Ironsworn: Starforged is criminally under loved.
Beyond the Wall is a less well known OSR that deserves love.

At some point I need to get Tiny Taverns, it looks amazing! I am a big fan of cozy fantasy stories.
I would be more excited by Tiny Dungeons except I don’t really know how it’s different from Dungeon World and other Dungeon Themed rules light games.
Ironsworn looks amazing! I love the idea of a PbtA adjacent solo rpg. Ironsworn : Starforged I know less about.
Through Sunken Lands has a slight edge over Beyond the Wall for me. But I want to get into the rules of both soon.

 

[Theory of Games]

Dragonslayer RPG.

Great mix of Basic + AD&D + evocative art

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

I really, really liked Carbon Grey (from West End games, using their classic d6 system). Cool art, simple rules, very playable pulp war setting, but it seems utterly forgotten

DriveThruRPG I don’t know how much this edition of Carbon Grey changes things. Looks interesting!

For sure! Ironsworn and Beyond the Wall were some of my favorite game books ever. I wish they were more well known (unless I missed something).

Ironsworn seems to have weight in the solo RPG field. Beyond the Wall gets reviewed well and shows up in recommendations online.

 

[Reynard]

Ironsworn seems to have weight in the solo RPG field.

But Starforged is often forgotten.

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

Dragonslayer RPG.

Great mix of Basic + AD&D + evocative art

I have started reading the original TSR Basic from the B/X pair. I don’t know that I can appreciate something B/X adjacent just yet.

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

But Starforged is often forgotten.

I would argue that Ironsworn is already obscure, having weight among solo RPG players is not saying it’s relatively popular. Beyond the Wall being reviewed well and getting recommended does not say it’s popular either.
I think Pathfinder, Call of Cuthulu, and other games are much more popular.

 

[jdrakeh]

Dragonslayer RPG.

Great mix of Basic + AD&D + evocative art

My only critique of Dragonslayer so far is that some rules (notably Ability Checks) are mentioned in the glossary, but the procedure for them is never properly discussed elsewhere in the game (e.g. when to use them, how to use them, other GM guidance, etc). This kind of bad content editing is a thing Gillespie's offerings have a reputation for, though, so I'm not entirely surprised. Just a bit disappointed. I was gifted a copy of the rulebook, though, which takes a bit of the sting out of it. If I had paid the, frankly outrageous, asking price for the book I'd be a little less kind with my words.