What alternate non- D&D, D20 Game do you recommend?

[diaglo]

What non D&D games (you can even try to convince me of running an alternate D&D campaign) do you recommend (preferably easy to play and DM since i want to spend the majority of my planning time on my current campaign).

i'm sorry i can't recommend any d20 games.

i can, however, recommend other games.

i like Car Wars for a fun session.

or maybe Star Fleet Battles.

or Wooden Ships & Iron Men.

 

[Geoffrey]

OGL Ancients looks like a promising game if you want to game in the world of ancient Greek mythology.

Call of Cthulhu is good for Lovecraftian horror.

 

[3catcircus]

Can you guys tell me more about Paranoia and Traveller? It sounds fun and interesting. As far as Genre, i am trying to expand my horizons a bit from the standard medival fantasy and do not want anything too complex. What does everyone think of Spycraft? D20 modern?

Hmm - Paranoia! is like a bizarre combination of Dr. Strangelove and The Three Stooges. I guess the best analogy is the video game Fallout, except you've never left the vaults. A massive complex exists under the control of the computer, who is your friend. Hail, Friend Computer! You job, as a troubleshooter is to route out commie mutant traitors and secret society members. Of course, you secretly are a member of a secret society and/or have mutant powers... A game session may last four hours, with the party still trying to requisition needed equipment - of course, at that point, you may be on your 3rd clone and *still* haven't figured out how to fill out the "Form Request Forms" in triplicate.... After all - without the form request form, you can't get the forms necessary to requisition the equipment, please go to the end of the line... Isn't bureaucracy fun?!?

Seriously - Paranoia! is a really fun game that takes little effort to learn and lends itself to one-shots - and it forces players to not get too attacked to their characters...

 

[Gothmog]

If you're wanting a change from standard D&D fare, I'd recommend the following games:

Call of Cthulhu- either the BRP or D20 versions. For sheer fun and weirdness, you just can't beat CoC. It will provide you with a VERY different sort of game than D&D, and is a great way to expand your horizons.

Darwin's World 2nd edition- this meaty hardback is hands down the best rendition of a post-apocalyptic world I've ever seen. It uses D20 modern as its base, and build a compelling world that isn't quite so far-fetched at Gamma World. By the way, avoid the recent Gamma World books from S&S- they really leave a lot to be desired.

Deadlands- its campy, its western, and its horror all rolled into one! Think High Plains Drifter meets Evil Dead! This is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played, and also very different than D&D. Every time we have played this, my group has had a blast, and can't wait to play again. The mechanics take a little getting used to, but using playing cards, dice, and poker chips really adds to the ambience and charm of this game. Avoid the D20 version of Deadlands at all costs- its horrid.

Fading Suns- a dark sci-fi game where humanity has just emerged from a dark age, and the suns are dying, religious paranoia is on the rise, and nobles, the church, and tradesmen vie with each other for power. I can't recommend the setting highly enough- its dark, evocative, and has a great deal of room for political intrugue, espionage, exploration, and horror. Its a wonderfully detailed setting crippled by terrible mechanics. The D20 version of Fading Suns is pretty good though.

The recent Mongoose version of Conan is excellent too. While there are some errors in the book, they aren't serious enough to in any way hamper playing this excellent game. Even though it is fantasy, its plays MUCH differently that D&D. If you like the Conan stories, definitely check this one out.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I would like to second 7th Sea - it is and was a very fun game.

I would also recimmend Changeling: the Dreaming, while not the most popular of the World of Darkness games it is in many ways the most enjoyable - not exactly World of Darkness, more of a World of Adjustable Mood Lighting game.

Deadlands is another fun alternative game, and there is a D20 version available.

And of course the original version of Call of Cthulhu. While I like the D20 version I love the old BRP version!

The Auld Grump

 

[Emiricol]

Mutants & Masterminds for superhero. I've tried every system I know of, and this is (disclaimer: IMHO) the best of the best. Not D20, but it is based on the OGL. From Green Ronin.

Darwin's World for post-apocalyptic. It's D20 Modern-based, but I love it anyway. From RPGObjects.

Riddle of Steel - pretty gritty, with fairly realistic combat (endorsed by the ARMA). Not D20-based though. From www.theriddleofsteel.net.

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

I am currently leaning towards CoC, Traveller or Paranoia. Someone mentioned "Savage Worlds" to me. Anyone here know anything about this?

 

[CleverName]

Hi all,

My current group, as is the norm in the summer, is unable to get together on a regular basis ( we play once a month or so when everyone is there), as such i am planning to run an alternate game when we are all unable to get together. What non D&D games (you can even try to convince me of running an alternate D&D campaign) do you recommend (preferably easy to play and DM since i want to spend the majority of my planning time on my current campaign). Thank you in advance.

Mutants and Masterminds

easy to play

easy to GM (you can buy preconstructed settings)

 

[milotha]

If you are looking for d20 games:

d20 Call of Cthulhu: If you like horror, strange things, evil plots cnspiracies and cults, with characters in over their heads, give this one a try.

d20 Modern: I haven't got to play, but it looks really fun. It's a lot less prep time as a GM because you can use todays events, maps, etc as a basis for your stories.

Arcana Unearthed: It's kinda a different spin on D&D. Different classes, diffferent races, but still a fantasy game using the d20 mechanic.

If you aren't looking for d20 games:

Alternity: A science fantasy space operaish type setting, that somewhat similar to the d20 mechanics and system, but not really.

GURPS: This allows you to do any setting, any time. It has a cool character creation system, and some simple basic fast play mechanics that you can use.

 

[Psion]

d20 Modern: I haven't got to play, but it looks really fun. It's a lot less prep time as a GM because you can use todays events, maps, etc as a basis for your stories.

What I have found attractive is the ability to wing things by referring to places I know. I have been playing a Second World Sourcebook game, and I used the town I was stationed in in the Navy (Bremerton WA) and the town I grew up in as referenced for the last two games. (Well, sort of. The last one was a second world game in the equivalent of first world Pocatello, ID. But the landscape I knew well, so I didn't really need any maps.)

Alternity: A science fantasy space operaish type setting, that somewhat similar to the d20 mechanics and system, but not really.

To be complete: it does not come with an SF setting other than a few elements like races. To get the whole thing, you gotta get the Star*Drive book.

GURPS: This allows you to do any setting, any time.

I would say that's pushing it a bit far sure, you can try to use it for anything, but I think it is best suited for grittier and more realistic settings.