Roleplaying games or RPGs are quickly rising in popularity and have become an umbrella term for tabletop campaigns that can last for weeks to card games that let you take on the persona of different characters. There are two main styles of roleplaying games: traditional or pen-and-paper style RPGs and party style RPGs.
Traditional roleplaying games
Traditional or pen-and-paper RPGs typically include games like Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder or other dice based systems set in various fictional settings. This style of game often relies on a game master (GM) or dungeon master (DM) who is responsible for understanding the mechanics of the game and guiding players through a set story. Traditional roleplaying games games are divided into individual game sessions as part of a larger over-arching story campaign or as a “one-shot” story. Individual game sessions usually last for a number of hours. Players utilize character sheets to identify skills and bonuses their characters have in the story.
Party style roleplaying games
Party style RPGs are more like board games. They may contain a series of storytelling prompts, dice or cards for changing the outcome of the game and possibly a gameboard or map. These games do not require a game master and can be played with minimal set up, allowing players to spend more time playing the games than pen-and-paper RPGs.
Once you’ve decided which style of game you want to play, it’s time to gather your players and get started.
Check out some of my favorite roleplaying games and share your favorite games in the comments below!
| Title | Game Style | Description | Number of Players | Additional information |
| Dungeons & Dragons | Traditional, uses a 20-sided dice-based system | Players work together in a fantasy setting to achieve goals and plot objectives set by the game master (GM) or dungeon master (DM). Games are a mix of role-playing, combat, skill checks and more complex game mechanics. | Group sizes can vary based on the game master’s comfort level. Most groups have 1 GM/DM and 3+ players. |
D&D is highly customizable and can be adapted to fit a variety of fictional settings. The most popular version right now is fifth edition (5e) which is the most beginner friendly of all editions. |
| Magical Kitties Save the Day, opens a new window | Traditional, uses a six-sided dice-based system | Contemporary setting where players are magical kitties who are trying to improve the lives of their humans and other magical kitties. | Group sizes can vary based on the game master comfort level. Most groups have 1 GM/DM and 3+ players. |
This system is significantly more simplistic than D&D or pathfinder, focusing on roleplaying more than other elements. |
| Pathfinder, opens a new window | Traditional, uses a 20-sided dice-based system | Players work together in a fantasy setting to achieve goals and plot objectives set by the game master (GM) or dungeon master (DM). Games are a mix of role-playing, combat, skill checks and more complex game mechanics. | Group sizes can vary based on the game master comfort level. Most groups have 1 GM/DM and 3+ players. |
Pathfinder is a system similar to the older 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. This system allows players to have the most customizable character options. |
| Betrayal at House on the Hill, opens a new window | Party game, uses a board game system and custom dice | Players are exploring a haunted house and trigger the story event, called the haunt. | The base game is designed for three to six players, with players assigned different roles and attributes. | The haunt can be triggered based on a variety of factors which leads to a lot of chance to replay the game. |
| Munchkin | Party game, uses a card based system | Players are going through a dungeon and attempting to become more powerful by finding loot and killing monsters. | The base game is designed for three to six players. | Players can choose to arbitrarily help each other defeat monsters or team up with the monsters to defeat their competition. There are many expansions and different versions of Munchkin based on varying fandoms. |
| Pandemic | Party game, uses a board game system | Players are part of a medical/research team that is working to stop the spread of a virus. | The base game is designed for two to four players working cooperatively. | Players are assigned different characters with unique roles and attributes. |
| Someone Has Died, opens a new window | Party game, uses a card based system | Players are gathered to read a will and convince the estate keeper why they should inherit everything left behind. | Designed for three to six players. Players are assigned an identity, backstory, relationship to the deceased and an objection in order to argue their case. | This game plays similar to a murder-mystery style game where players use improvisational storytelling to argue their case and take home the prize. |
Interested in trying some of these games without a financial commitment? Check out the game collection in the Library of Things to borrow a copy.
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