Games with simplified rulesets designed for ease of play and quick understanding, reducing complexity without sacrificing depth.
Savage Worlds is a fast-paced, versatile tabletop RPG that simplifies complex mechanics to accommodate any genre, from fantasy to sci-fi to horror. Its streamlined rules facilitate quick, tactical gameplay, making it ideal for both short sessions and epic campaigns.
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.
Scarlet Heroes transports players to a gritty, sword and sorcery universe filled with peril and adventure. This unique tabletop RPG is designed for solo play or small groups, offering mechanics that focus on crafting epic narratives, intense combat scenarios, and deep character development. With its innovative system that allows for solo play, Scarlet Heroes provides a thrilling and immersive experience for both experienced roleplayers and newcomers alike.
The Black Hack is a rules-light tabletop RPG that harkens back to the old-school style of fantasy roleplaying, focusing on fast-paced, deadly combat and streamlined mechanics. With its emphasis on player creativity and improvisation, The Black Hack offers a thrilling and challenging experience that rewards clever tactics and quick thinking. This game stands out for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a classic dungeon-crawling experience with a modern twist.
Tales from the Loop invites players into a nostalgia-soaked 1980s world, where they step into the shoes of kids navigating the wonders and mysteries of a science fiction-infused childhood. With its focus on exploration, friendship, and the innocence of youth against the backdrop of surreal happenings, the game employs a unique blend of simplicity in mechanics and emotional depth in storytelling. Players create memorable tales filled with both whimsy and heart, as they confront fantastical machines, strange creatures, and the complexities of growing up.
RECON transports players to the heart of the Vietnam War, blending military tactics with immersive roleplaying as they navigate the chaotic jungles and political turmoil of the era. With its focus on realism and teamwork, RECON features detailed character creation and mission-based gameplay, encouraging players to think strategically and adapt to dynamic combat scenarios. Unique in its dedication to historical accuracy, the game fosters deep engagement with the moral complexities of war, challenging players to confront the decisions of both their characters and the larger conflict.
Tiny Frontiers is a rules‑lite sci‑fi game powered by TinyD6’s 2d6 tests. Classless and low‑prep, it favors quick scenes, clear outcomes, and micro‑settings that kick off play fast. Ideal for one‑shots and short campaigns where starship action and frontier exploration take center stage.
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.
Barbarians of Lemuria: Mythic+ Edition is a rules‑lite sword‑and‑sorcery game using a simple 2d6 resolution and Hero Points. Classless and career‑driven, it’s low‑prep and fiction‑first, focused on daring feats, quick combats, and pulp adventure. Ideal for one‑shots or episodic campaigns.
The Witch is Dead is a one‑page, rules‑lite fantasy caper by Grant Howitt. You play woodland familiars avenging your slain witch with simple d6 tests and gleeful chaos. Classless and low‑prep, it runs in an hour, spotlights creative shenanigans, and is perfect for first‑timers and con tables.
Down We Go is a rules‑lite OSR dungeon crawler using familiar d20 and d6 rolls. Classless, low‑prep, it focuses on quick delves, risky decisions, and treasure‑driven progression in the shifting city of Infinopolis. Ideal for one‑shots, convention tables, or drop‑in campaigns.
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.
Offworlders is a rules-lite sci-fi game using 2d6 tests in the World of Dungeons/PbtA vein. Classless and low-prep, it focuses on starship crews taking risky jobs at the edge of space. Ideal for quick campaigns and one-shots where fiction-first calls matter more than build math.
Whitehack is a rules‑lite, classless OSR fantasy game that marries old‑school tempo with modern clarity. Built to run decades of modules, it emphasizes fast rulings, resource‑aware exploration, and creative problem‑solving over build math—ideal for one‑shots or lean sandboxes that value speed and consequence.
minimald6 is a rules‑lite universal engine using 2–3d6, where 5–6s are successes. Classless and low‑prep, it emphasizes quick rulings, creative problem‑solving, and genre‑agnostic play. Ideal for one‑shots, pick‑up campaigns, and teaching brand‑new players.
Mazes is a rules‑lite fantasy dungeon crawler using the polymorph system (each role rolls a single die). Class‑based and low‑prep, it focuses on clear turns, fast tests, and tense choices. Ideal for one‑shots, new players, and drop‑in episodic delves.
Index Card RPG: Master Edition is a rules‑lite fantasy toolkit built around scene targets, timers, hearts, and effort dice. Classless at its core, it emphasizes quick rulings, fast turns, and low prep. Ideal for one‑shots, convention play, and lean campaigns where improvisation and table tools shine.
Primal Quest – Essentials is a rules‑lite stone‑and‑sorcery RPG. Classless and fast to teach, it uses straightforward d20 tests with tight resource play to drive tense, survival‑forward exploration. Low‑prep and table‑ready, it’s ideal for gritty hexcrawls, emergent sandboxes, and convention one‑shots.
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.
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