A genre designed to evoke fear, featuring supernatural elements, monsters, or psychological terror.
Monster of the Week is a tabletop role-playing game that empowers players to take on the roles of monster hunters, echoing the vibes of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural. Players collaborate to investigate mysterious events and battle sinister creatures. The game focuses on story development and character-driven action, using the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system to facilitate dynamic, cinematic gameplay.
Alien RPG immerses players in the foreboding universe of the Alien franchise, blending survival horror with science fiction in a game of fear, power, and survival. Set in the iconic world of xenomorphs and corporate intrigue, players navigate a series of thrilling scenarios from commercial haulage missions to colonial marines operations. The game emphasizes cinematic play, with a rule system that enhances the tension and horror of the Alien universe.
Ten Candles is a tragic horror storytelling game designed for one-shot sessions. Set in a world shrouded in darkness, players are survivors facing their final moments as they confront mysterious and malevolent forces. The game is uniquely played by the light of ten candles that gradually extinguish, representing the dwindling hope and life of the characters. This atmospheric mechanic not only serves as a timer but also intensifies the sense of impending doom.
Dread RPG is a unique horror tabletop game renowned for its use of a Jenga tower instead of dice to resolve in-game actions, which significantly enhances the tension and suspense throughout play. Ideal for one-shot sessions, the game focuses on narrative and player interaction, with the ever-present risk of the tower collapsing adding a palpable sense of dread that complements the horror theme perfectly.
Kult: Divinity Lost is a contemporary horror role-playing game that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It explores themes of existential fear, hidden truths, and the illusion of reality, drawing heavily on Gnostic and mystical influences. The game is notorious for its mature and controversial content, providing players with a deeply immersive and often unsettling experience.
Delta Green is a contemporary horror role-playing game that merges elements of Lovecraftian horror with modern conspiracy theories. Players become part of a secret government agency tasked with combating paranormal threats while maintaining their sanity and moral integrity. The game is renowned for its intense psychological impact, deep narrative, and the ethical dilemmas it poses.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse is a dark fantasy role-playing game set within the World of Darkness universe. Players assume the roles of Garou, werewolves tasked with protecting the earth from supernatural corruption and societal decay. The game combines intense personal drama with broader ecological and spiritual conflicts, highlighting themes of environmentalism and mysticism.
Call of Cthulhu plunges players into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft, where they become investigators of the supernatural and the unknown. Using a skill-based system and a critical sanity mechanic, players experience profound psychological horror as they uncover chilling mysteries and face indescribable entities.
Step aboard the desolate, dark confines of space in Mothership, a sci-fi horror RPG where players navigate treacherous alien worlds and face off against cosmic terrors. With a streamlined ruleset focused on survival and psychological horror, Mothership immerses players in a tense, suspenseful atmosphere where every decision can mean life or death. Unique character classes, random tables for generating spooky encounters, and an emphasis on narrative-driven storytelling make Mothership a must-play for fans of sci-fi and horror RPGs.
The Wretched is a haunting solo tabletop roleplaying game that immerses players in the desperate struggle for survival aboard a doomed spaceship, influenced heavily by classic sci-fi horror. Utilizing innovative gameplay mechanics, players craft a poignant narrative through the decisions of a single survivor who must balance resource management and emotional turmoil while facing external threats and the creeping dread of isolation. What sets The Wretched apart is its unique integration of journaling and a rotating cast of characters, allowing for a deeply personal storytelling experience that evolves with each playthrough.
The Magnus Archives transports players into a world of supernatural horror, where they investigate mysterious cases and encounter eldritch entities straight out of Lovecraftian nightmares. With a focus on storytelling and uncovering secrets, the game offers a chilling and immersive experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats. Unique mechanics like the Archives system add depth to character interactions and provide a sense of dread and tension as players delve deeper into the unknown.
Liminal Horror plunges players into a world where the boundary between reality and the supernatural is thin, inviting them to navigate eldritch horrors and twisted mysteries. Key features include a focus on psychological horror, investigation, and the exploration of the unknown, making it a unique experience that challenges players to confront their fears and unravel dark secrets lurking in the shadows.
The Walking Dead Universe immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a relentless zombie outbreak, where survival hinges on difficult choices and the dynamics of human relationships. Utilizing an innovative blend of narrative-driven mechanics and survival tactics, players create unique characters while navigating moral dilemmas and the ever-present threat of the undead. With a focus on collaboration, resource management, and character development, this game offers a distinctive experience that explores the fragility of civilization and the resilience of the human spirit.
Dead of Night immerses players in a chilling modern horror setting where they take on the roles of ordinary individuals grappling with unimaginable terror. Featuring a unique blend of narrative focus and tension-building mechanics, this game encourages characters' vulnerabilities to shape the unfolding story as they confront their deepest fears. With its emphasis on suspense and the unpredictability of horror, Dead of Night invites players to explore the darkness both within and around them, creating a memorable experience of dread and resilience.
Death in Space invites players into a gritty, dystopian universe filled with cosmic horrors and desperate survival. Blending science fiction with elements of horror, the game features a unique mechanic that combines resource management and character advancement, driving home the theme of impending doom even as players explore derelict stations and confront existential threats. Its striking artwork and modular approach to world-building create a deeply immersive experience, allowing for both thrilling adventures and darkly comic escapades in the vast emptiness of space.
Zombie World immerses players in a gritty, post-apocalyptic landscape where survival hangs by a thread amid relentless waves of the undead. With a strong focus on character-driven storytelling, the game uses unique survival horror mechanics that accentuate emotional stakes and interpersonal dynamics within an ensemble cast. As players navigate their fragile relationships and confront harrowing choices, Zombie World sets itself apart by emphasizing narrative depth and the profound impact of each character’s decisions on their shared fate.
Arkham Horror immerses players in a Lovecraftian world of cosmic horror, as they take on the roles of investigators striving to prevent the awakening of ancient deities. This cooperative game combines strategic gameplay with an intricate narrative filled with mystery, madness, and supernatural encounters, requiring players to manage their resources and face challenging scenarios together. What sets Arkham Horror apart is its atmospheric blend of storytelling and suspense, where every decision can lead to triumph or doom in the ever-encroaching darkness.
Cthulhu Confidential immerses players in a noir-infused world where they step into the shoes of hardboiled detectives navigating the shadowy streets of 1930s Los Angeles, all while facing the unsettling horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos. This unique game combines a focus on solo or dual player experiences with an innovative narrative system, allowing for deep character exploration and dramatic twists as players uncover mysteries and confront eldritch threats. With its blend of cinematic storytelling and psychological tension, Cthulhu Confidential redefines the detective RPG genre by inviting players to grapple not just with crime, but with their own sanity.
Trail of Cthulhu immerses players in the unsettling world of cosmic horror, drawing heavily from the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Unique for its emphasis on investigation and sanity mechanics, the game encourages teams of investigators to piece together eldritch mysteries while grappling with their own mental fragility. With a rich narrative focus and a system that rewards careful planning and critical thinking, Trail of Cthulhu invites players to confront the unknown, often with chilling consequences.
Tiny Cthulhu is a rules-lite Lovecraftian horror game using the minimalist TinyD6 engine. Classless and low-prep, it focuses on tense investigations, perilous choices, and fast resolution with a handful of d6s. Ideal for one-shots, convention play, and quick campaigns that emphasize mood over mechanics.
Cthulhu Dark is a rules‑lite horror game by Graham Walmsley that pushes dread and discovery to the forefront. With minimal mechanics and an Insight track that escalates consequences, it delivers fast, fiction‑first investigations where running, hiding, and hard choices matter more than gear lists. Ideal for intimate, high‑tension sessions.
Cthulhu Hack is a rules‑lite investigative horror game using d20 saves and depleting resource dice. Class‑light, low‑prep sessions focus on fiction‑first clue gathering and hard choices under mounting pressure. Ideal for one‑shots or short campaigns where tone and discovery take center stage.
Liminal Horror is a rules-lite modern horror game in the Cairn/Into the Odd lineage. d20 saves with Stress and Fallout drive quick, lethal investigations. Minimal prep and clear procedures put fiction first—ideal for tense one-shots or lean campaigns that prize discovery and dread over build math.
Outbreak: Undead (2e) is a survival-horror tabletop RPG focused on realism, resource scarcity, and tough choices. Classless and modular, it supports gritty campaigns about planning, panicking, and pushing through the worst days. Ideal for fans of grounded, rules-forward apocalypse play.
All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a rules‑lite survival‑horror game using the Unisystem. Classless and scenario‑driven, it focuses on tense resource management, risky choices, and fast resolution. Ideal for gritty one‑shots or short campaigns with zombie threats.
Green Dawn Mall is a rules‑lite survival-horror about teens lost in an endless, uncanny shopping mall. Using simple d6 tests (5–6 = success), it emphasizes exploration, odd encounters, and resourceful problem‑solving over combat. Low‑prep and quick to run, it’s ideal for tense one‑shots or short campaigns focused on discovery.
Those Dark Places is a rules‑lite industrial sci‑fi horror game using simple dice pools and stress checks. Classless and low‑prep, it focuses on claustrophobic missions, malfunctioning ships, and corporate pressure. Ideal for tense one‑shots and short campaigns where survival and hard choices drive the fiction.
A Torch in the Dark is a rules‑lite solo dungeon‑delve forged from Blades in the Dark. Quick to start, it uses small d6 pools and tight inventory pressure for hard‑edged survival. Classless and low‑prep, it focuses on lethal exploration, push‑your‑luck moments, and keeping your last torch lit. Ideal for solo one‑shots or bite‑sized campaigns.
Vast Grimm is a rules‑lite sci‑fi horror game powered by Mörk Borg’s chassis. Classless, lethal, and fast to run, it focuses on grim survival, scavenging, and desperate missions against parasitic würms. Ideal for one‑shots or short campaigns where resource management and hard choices drive play.
Best Left Buried is a rules‑lite fantasy horror about desperate cryptdiggers braving lethal, resource‑starved dungeons. Using simple d20 tests and three core attributes, play moves fast while stress, scars, and dwindling light drive tense survival choices. Classless, low‑prep, and exploration‑driven—ideal for gritty crawls and short, high‑stakes sessions.
The Wretched is a solo, rules‑lite survival horror game. Stranded and alone, you log final days as supplies dwindle while a tumbling block tower marks looming failure. Low‑prep and visceral, it spotlights hard choices, resource pressure, and fragile hope—perfect for tense, reflective one‑shots.
Enter the Survival Horror is a rules‑lite, Forged in the Dark survival‑horror game about dark corridors, dwindling resources, and mounting dread. Classless and low‑prep, it frames tense exploration and tactical fights around a Doom Clock and clever inventory gambits. Ideal for one‑shots and short, nerve‑wracking campaigns.
The End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse is a rules‑lite modern survival RPG using simple dice pools and stress tracks. Classless and low‑prep, it centers on tense, cinematic decisions, scavenging, and group dynamics under pressure. Ideal for one‑shots or short arcs where danger escalates fast and hard choices define the story.
Don't Rest Your Head is a rules‑lite psychological survival horror about insomniacs who awaken to the Mad City. Using small dice pools, exhaustion and madness fuel risky power at the cost of control. Classless and low‑prep, it excels at high‑tension one‑shots and short arcs.
HOSTILE is a near‑future, blue‑collar sci‑fi survival RPG using classic 2d6 task resolution. Classless and low‑prep, it emphasizes hazardous jobs, hard vacuum, and resource management over heroics. Ideal for tense one‑shots, salvage runs, and ongoing colony campaigns with a gritty, industrial vibe.
Never Going Home is a rules-lite WWI survival-horror game using straightforward tests plus card-hand pressure. Classless and low-prep, it follows a front-line Unit through lethal missions, dwindling supplies, and the corrupting Whispers. Ideal for short campaigns and players who enjoy grim stakes and tough choices.
Survive the Night is a rules‑lite horror one‑shot built for fast, cinematic survival. Using a simple d6 system and genre‑archetype playbooks, it leans on tension, resource scramble, and tough choices over build math. Low‑prep and party‑friendly, it shines at campfire scares and convention tables where escaping alive is the win condition.
Zombie World is a rules‑lite, card‑driven survival RPG about a community fighting to live through the zombie apocalypse. Classless and low‑prep, it emphasizes tough decisions, resource pressure, and messy relationships over build math. Ideal for one‑shots and ongoing survival drama where cooperation—and sacrifice—matter.
Ten Candles is a rules‑lite tragic‑horror game played by candlelight. Classless and low‑prep, it trades combat for tense scenes, hard choices, and a literal countdown to darkness. Ideal for one‑shots with new or mixed‑experience groups who want cinematic survival under pressure.
Wrath of the Gods is a rules‑lite modern‑day survival game using a simple positive/negative d6 pool. Classless and low‑prep, it focuses on crisis decisions, scarce resources, and moral tradeoffs as mythic cataclysms unravel society. Ideal for one‑shots or short arcs with story‑first play.
SURVIVE THIS!! Zombies is a rules‑lite OSR modern horror game using d20 tests and class‑based play. Low‑prep and modular, it focuses on tense resource management, scavenging, and desperate choices during outbreaks. Ideal for gritty one‑shots or ongoing campaigns about surviving the worst day of your life.
Dead Reign is a post-apocalyptic horror RPG about surviving the zombie outbreak. Using a familiar d%/d20 Palladium chassis, it delivers fast, lethal fights, tense scavenging, and hard choices. Class-based, medium-prep, it focuses on teamwork, scarcity, and moral dilemmas. Ideal for campaign play and gritty one-shots.
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