This week’s recommendations are going to be a fun one for TTRPG fans! It’s going to be not just one recommendation but a whole slew of them with enough spice and variety to make even the pickiest of players happy!! Now I know what you’re saying, how can this even be possible? What single game is there that everyone will be happy playing? Well what if I told you it wasn’t a game but a system!?That’s right, today I’m going to talk about “Powered by the Apocalypse” the versatile, rules light, story focused system that is home to many fun games!
So let’s get into it shall we! First, what makes this system standout over say Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder? Well that’s a good question, for starters the “classes” are handled differently. Instead of your typical Mage, Cleric, Fighter dynamic PBTA uses playbooks which differ from game to game! For example, in Monster of the Week, in MOTW you are playing as hunters based off of famous tropes from TV series such as X-Files, Stranger Things and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While these may all seem the same once you read them you’ll soon discover that each “class” plays differently.
Next up I’m sure you’re wondering about dice! I know as a fellow dice gremlin I was surprised to learn that I only needed 2D6 to run games that use this system and that is because the dice rolls are only there to help the players and GMs move the story along by giving a success or fail. But worry not! Even in failure you can still advance the plot since another strong point of the PBTA system you don’t have to worry about having the right skill or bonus to make a check. A failure might mean you did not do what you wanted the exact way you had envisioned but it may still happen depending on the GM’s discretion! I’ve mentioned storytelling and story focused quite a bit – what does that mean? Well unlike the big two this system uses theater of the mind to help the group paint a picture of what exactly happened and to help bring the world they are in to life!
Now I’m sure you are wondering, what titles use this system? There are quite a few and we even carry some of them! Here are some of my favorites:
Monster of the Week – From Supernatural to Stranger Things, X-Files to Scooby Doo if you’ve ever enjoyed any show that has a group of kids, teens or adults dealing with monsters then this is the perfect game for you! This game is all about solving mysteries and working together, whether you want to take a deep dive into some folk lore or cryptids. This game is great for any group that is more into solving mysteries and having a more episodic feel to their campaigns.
Thirsty Sword Lesbians – This queer storytelling game is all about flirting, sword-fighting and delivering stinging one liners to your friends and enemies alike! Be you Gay, Trans, ACE or just an ally this game has you covered with its incredible set of rules and guides to help everyone embrace their inner sword lesbian!
Pasión de las Pasiones – Ever wanted to flex your acting muscles and see if you have what it takes to be cast in a telenovela? Well, now is your chance because not only is Pasión de las Pasiones the greatest telenovela to ever exist but it’s also the greatest TTRPG based on a telenovela to ever exist! You’ll experience all the highs and lows of a daytime soap with the help of your friends!
Root: The RPG – From a hit board game to a hit TTRPG! Root the RPG puts you shoes of a group of vagabonds that don’t have a place in the world. But the denizens know you have a higher purpose and may just be the key to tipping the war back in the favor of the woodland alliance!
Epyllion – My Little Dragons Friendship is Magic! I kid, while this game has a similar tone to the popular kids show, you’ll be doing more than solving everyday problems; you’ll take the roles of a dragon and their clutchmates who are trying to save Dragonia from evil all while discovering the power of friendship and working together!
Monsterhearts 2 – Our first game on the list geared toward a more mature audience, exploring sexuality, sexual relationships and what it’s like being a teenager in highschool who also happens to be a monster. This game explores the relationships both platonic and sexual that happen during those years and helps people of any identity explore them!
Bluebeard’s Bride – In our second mature themed game, this investigatory, psychological horror rpg you take on the role of the bride of a wealthy man who did something terrible and you have to avoid a terrible fate! Based off the folktale of the same name, the players all take on the role of the same bride, each playing a different part of her psyche, navigating through the story while also trying not to lose yourself to the madness of the horrors you behold.
Keep an eye out in the coming months for some more incredible and unique TTRPG recommendations! And remember we all enjoy this hobby and gaming sphere so next time you’re about to start a new campaign or game, talk to your fellow players about Consent. Just because you’re okay with some dark themes doesn’t mean everyone is and at the end of the day we want everyone to feel safe and comfortable at our tables!
-article by Dylan C.