List of role-playing games by genre
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This is a list of role-playing games, subdivided by genre (although many games do not fit clearly into one genre or another). It does not include role-playing video games, MMORPGs, or any other video games with RPG elements. Most of these games are tabletop role-playing games; other types of games are noted as such where appropriate.
Contemporary action/adventure/espionage/military
- d20 Modern by Wizards of the Coast
- Feng Shui - based on Hong Kong martial arts movies
- GUMSHOE System
- James Bond 007 by Victory Games - based on the James Bond books and films
- Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes
- Ninjas & Superspies (1987) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books
- Over the Edge
- Revised RECON (1986) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books; based on the original Recon (1981) by Joe F. Martin
- Spycraft by Alderac Entertainment Group - espionage adventure
- Top Secret by TSR - espionage adventure
- Twilight 2000
Fantasy
- Agone (French) - based on novels by award-winning fantasy writer Mathieu Gaborit.
- Alshard (Japanese) - fantasy with mecha like Final Fantasy
- Alshard Gaia (Japanese) - a contemporary fantasy with Alshard system
- Amber Diceless Roleplaying - based on the works of Roger Zelazny
- Anima: Beyond Fantasy
- Arduin - written by David A. Hargrave
- Aria
- Arianrhod RPG (Japanese) - MMORPG-like
- Ars Magica
- Basic Fantasy RPG
- BattleDragons - Play as dragons in a fantasy world by Spartacus Publishing.
- The Black Company - Campaign Setting based on the The Black Company book series by Glen Cook, using the d20 system.
- Blue Rose by Green Ronin Publishing
- The Burning Wheel - High fantasy
- Castles and Crusades - OGL System fantasy RPG published by Troll Lord Games
- Castle Falkenstein - steampunk fantasy
- Chivalry & Sorcery
- Les Chroniques d'Erdor, an unusual French RPG of oneiric fantasy using a 54 card game, edited by Boite a Polpette.
- Conan (a GURPS version by SJGames, and an OGL System version by Mongoose Publishing)
- Cursed Empire (formerly Crimson Empire, changed its name for trademark reasons)
- Dangerous Journeys - created by E. Gary Gygax
- The Dark Eye - Germany's most popular RPG, known in Germany as Das Schwarze Auge
- Deliria: Faerie Tales for the New Millennium - by Phil Brucato. Published by Laughing Pan Productions
- Demon's Lair - Created by Lasalion Games
- Donjon - by Clinton R. Nixon
- Dragon Age
- DragonQuest
- DragonRaid - a Christian RPG, created by Dick Wulf in 1984
- Dragon Warriors - An easy-to-use RPG published in paperback format.
- Drakar och Demoner (Dragons and Demons) - Swedish language game originally published by Target Games, later versions by Riotminds
- Dungeons & Dragons - created by Dave Arneson and E. Gary Gygax, further editions by TSR, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast
- Earthdawn
- Elemental Axes by Crosstime Games of British Columbia
- Elfquest by Chaosium - based on the works of Richard Pini and Wendy Pini
- Elric!, by Chaosium, based on Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories
- Empire of the Petal Throne - set in M. A. R. Barker's world of Tekumel
- Eon
- Everquest - pencil & paper version of the popular MMORPG, published by White Wolf Publishing
- Everway
- Exalted
- Fantasy Craft by Crafty Games
- Fantasy Hero by Hero Games
- Fantasy Imperium
- The Fantasy Trip
- Fireborn by Fantasy Flight Games
- Furry Pirates
- Fate of the Norns
- A Game of Thrones - based on the eponymous fantasy novel
- Grimm - based in a twisted, morbid fairytale world, published by Fantasy Flight Games.
- HackMaster
- HârnMaster/Hârn
- High Adventure Role Playing by Iron Crown Enterprises
- Hawkmoon - an addendum to the Stormbringer RPG (aka Elric!)
- HeroQuest/Hero Wars
- In Nomine - Based on the In Nomine Satanis / Magna Veritas French roleplaying game
- Ironclaw - by Sanguine Productions Ltd
- Iron Kingdoms - Based on the Warmachine and Hordes universe by Privateer Press
- Jorune (or "Skyrealms of Jorune")
- Legend of the Five Rings Role-Playing Game - Asian-themed RPG, published by Alderac Entertainment Group
- Lejendary Adventure, created by Gary Gygax and published by Hekaforge Productions
- Lone Wolf
- Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game - based on the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien
- Maelstrom
- Man, Myth & Magic by Yaquinto - RPG drawing on 4000 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Earth legends.
- Mechanical Dream by SteamLogic
- Meikyu kingdom (Japanese) - members of tiny kingdom's court explore dungeons
- Middle Earth Role Play - based on the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien
- Midgard - the oldest German fantasy RPG
- Monastyr (Polish), Monastery by Portal
- Mouse Guard - based on comic book series of the same name by David Petersen where all characters are mice and "monsters" are other animals.
- Multiverser by E.R. Jones and M. Joseph Young
- Night Wizard! (Japanese) - wizards in contemporary
- Nobilis by R. Sean Borgstrom
- OSRIC
- Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game (1983, 1996) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Pathfinder Roleplaying Game by Paizo Publishing
- Powers and Perils - by Avalon Hill
- Rêve: the Dream Ouroboros by Denis Gerfaud (french, Rêve de Dragon)
- RMFRP (Rolemaster Fantasy Role Playing) by Iron Crown Enterprises - fully expandable and customizable rules system
- RuneQuest originally by Chaosium, later by Avalon Hill and currently by Mongoose Publishing
- Scion by White Wolf Publishing
- Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan by Gold Rush Games
- Seventh Sea Swashbuckling Adventure and sorcery by Alderac Entertainment Company
- Shard RPG (anthropomorphic heroic-fantasy) by Shard Studios
- Stormbringer by Chaosium, based on Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories
- Swordbearer by Heritage Games and Fantasy Games Unlimited
- Sword World RPG (Japanese)
- Talislanta by Bard Games
- The Riddle of Steel by Driftwood Publishing
- The Shadow of Yesterday by Clinton R. Nixon
- Tormenta Brazilian RPG by Marcelo Cassaro, J.M. Trevisan, Saladino
- The Slayers d20 by Guardians of Order
- Tribe 8 by Dream Pod 9
- Tunnels and Trolls by Flying Buffalo
- Trollbabe a game by Ron Edwards (game designer)
- Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay by Games Workshop
- Weapons of the Gods by Eos Press - a wuxia-style game based on the manhua comic of the same name.
- The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game - based on The Wheel of Time novel series by author Robert Jordan
- Wiedźmin (Polish) by MAG (game)
- World Of Warcraft by White Wolf Publishing -- a roleplaying game book based on the popular computer game by Blizzard
- World Tree -- roleplaying in a high-magic, highly civilized world populated by many sentient species, none of them human.
Historical/period adventure
- Aces & Eights - Kenzer & Company - Wild West alternate history RPG
- Adventure! - Pulp adventure by White Wolf Publishing
- Boot Hill - TSR - Wild West adventure
- Bushido - samurai RPG
- d20 Past by Wizards of the Coast
- Daredevils - Pulp adventure
- Dark Ages (World of Darkness)
- Deadlands: The Weird West
- Dogs in the Vineyard - loosely based on the Mormon State of Deseret in pre-statehood Utah by Lumpley Games
- Draug - Norwegian RPG set during the Napoleonic wars. Themes: the early national movement and folklore and superstition, based on the FUDGE engine.
- Dzikie Pola (Wild Fields), a set in 17th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
- En Garde! - Duellists from 17th century France published by Game Designers' Workshop and SFC Press.
- Fantasy Imperium - An Interactive Storytelling Game of Historical Fantasy by Shadowstar Games, Inc.
- Forgotten Futures
- Gangbusters by TSR - 1930s urban crime adventure
- Hollow Earth Expedition by Exile Games Studio - Pulp adventures in the Hollow Earth
- Indiana Jones (role-playing game) by TSR - based on the Indiana Jones films
- Justice, Inc. by Hero Games - 1930s Pulp fiction oriented adventure
- Nights of the Crusades by Ætheric Dreams - combines the historical Crusades with the 1001 Nights
- Pendragon (or King Arthur Pendragon) Arthurian legend
- Space 1889 by Game Designers' Workshop - Victorian Era Sci-Fi
- Spirit of the Century - Pulp adventure
- Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
- Tibet -Historical fantasy set in Tibet circa 1959 during the Chinese invasion. Vajra Enterprises.
- Twilight 2000 by GDW(1984)
- Valley of the Pharaohs (1983) - Created by Matthew Balent, published by Palladium Books
- Vampire: The Dark Ages
- Victorian Age: Vampire
- Victoriana By Cubicle 7. Alternate history, magic, and fantasy races.
- Werewolf: The Wild West
Horror
- All Flesh Must Be Eaten - Zombie survival horror game by Eden Studios, Inc.
- Beyond the Supernatural (1987, 2005) - Created by Randy McCall and Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Bureau 13: Stalking the Night Fantastic by Tri Tac Games
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer - based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show by Eden Studios
- Call of Cthulhu - based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft
- Chill
- Deadlands: The Weird West
- Dead Inside (game) - A small-press RPG where the characters attempt to rebuild their lost souls through selfless and noble actions (and get superhuman powers along the way)
- Dead Reign—The Zombie Apocalypse (2008) - Created by Josh Hilden and Joshua Sanford, published by Palladium Books
- Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium
- The Everlasting (role-playing game) by Visionary Entertainment Studios Inc
- Kult - A Swedish game of Kabbalistic and gnostic origins; The tag line is "Death is only the beginning", and the game is widely perceived as one of the darkest RPGs ever created.
- Little Fears - The Roleplaying Game of Childhood Terror
- My Life with Master An independently-published comic horror game.
- Necroscope Published by West End Games based on Brian Lumleys' world of the Necroscope books.
- Nephilim by Chaosium
- Nightbane (1995) - Created by C. J. Carella, published by Palladium Books
- Noctum
- Over the Edge
- Sorcerer (role-playing game) by Ron Edwards
- Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
- Trail of Cthulhu by Pelgrane Press
- Unknown Armies
- The Whispering Vault - an RPG about god-hunting
- WitchCraft RPG by Eden Studios
- World of Darkness product line by White Wolf Publishing
- Vampire: The Masquerade
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse
- Mage: The Ascension
- Wraith: The Oblivion
- Changeling: The Dreaming
- Demon: The Fallen
- Mummy: The Resurrection
- Vampire: Kindred of the East
- Hunter: The Reckoning
- Victorian Age: Vampire
- Werewolf: The Wild West
- Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
- Wraith: The Great War
- Vampire: The Dark Ages
- Dark Ages (World of Darkness)
- Orpheus (role-playing game)
- World of Darkness (new) new product line by White Wolf Publishing
Humor and satire
- Bunnies and Burrows
- Diana: Warrior Princess
- Fanhunter Spanish game based on the series of comics of the same name
- Ghostbusters RPG based on the Ghostbusters film series.
- HackMaster
- Human Occupied Landfill
- In Nomine Satanis / Magna Veritas (french) by Croc (Siroz) (satirical gang and spy wars involving angels and demons in the contemporary world)
- kill puppies for satan
- Kobolds Ate My Baby
- Macho Women with Guns
- Monsters and Other Childish Things
- Munchkin
- Murphy's World
- Ninja Burger
- Pandemonium
- Paranoia
- Risus
- Shab-al-Hiri Roach, which could also fit in the horror category.
- Tales from the Floating Vagabond
- Teenagers from Outer Space, an anime based RPG.
- Toon - Cartoon adventure inspired by the classic cartoon series from Warner Brothers and MGM
- TWERPS
- Underground
Science fiction
- 2300 AD by Game Designers' Workshop
- After the Bomb (1987, 2001) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books
- Aftermath! (1981) - by Fantasy Games Unlimited
- Albedo RPG - Based on the furry comic book series, Erma Felna by Steve Gallacci
- Alternity by TSR
- Battlelords of the 23rd Century by SSDC, Inc.
- Blue Planet by Biohazard Games
- Conspiracy X by Eden Studios, Inc. - aliens, UFOs, and government coverups
- C°ntinuum - time travel adventure
- Cthulhutech - Cthulhu Mythos with anime-style mecha, horror, magic and futuristic action.
- Cyberpunk 2020 by R. Talsorian Games; based on the mirror shades authors
- Cybergeneration by R. Talsorian Games (alternate setting for Cyberpunk 2020)
- Cyberspace by Iron Crown Enterprises
- d20 Future by Wizards of the Coast
- Darwin's World by RPGObjects
- Doctor Who RPG - based on the BBC television series
- Deadlands: Hell on Earth-post-apocalyptic western.
- Eclipse Phase
- Etherscope
- Ex Machina
- Fading Suns
- Fringeworthy by Tri Tac Games
- FTL:2448 by Tri Tac Games
- Gamma World by TSR
- GURPS Cyberpunk by Steve Jackson Games
- Halcyon by Neuwerld Studios
- Heavy Gear by Dream Pod 9
- Incursion by Tri Tac Games
- Jorune / Skyrealms of Jorune by SkyRealms Publishing
- Jovian Chronicles by Dream Pod 9
- Judge Dredd by Games Workshop
- Judge Dredd by Mongoose Publishing
- Justifiers by StarChilde Publications - Play as human/animal hybrids (Betas) that are owned by the Corporation; locate new resources, eliminate threats, and buy your freedom.
- Legionnaire by FASA (Standalone roleplaying game for the Renegade Legion universe)
- Living Steel by Leading Edge Games - Futuristic game on the world of Rhand. Power armor galore.
- Macross II (1993) - published by Palladium Books and Dream Pod 9 under license from U.S. Renditions; based on the original anime film and manga
- The Mechanoid Invasion (1981) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- MechWarrior by FASA - set in the BattleTech universe, current edition is called Battletech: A Time of War and is published by Catalyst Game Lab.
- Mekton - by R. Talsorian Games (based on Anime Mecha science fiction)
- Metabarons Roleplaying Game by West End Games (based on Metabarons comic)
- Metamorphosis Alpha (1976)
- The Morrow Project
- Multiverser by E.R. Jones and M. Joseph Young
- Mutant (Target Games)
- Mutant Chronicles
- Neuroshima (Polish) by Portal
- Paranoia - a satire of dystopian futures
- Pax Draconis by Technicraft Design - a detailed rules heavy space opera with a percentile system
- Phoenix Command by Leading Edge Games
- Prime Directive by Task Force Games
- Reich Star by Simon Bell and Ken Richardson (1991) as Creative Encounters. Fight Nazis in space.
- Rifts Chaos Earth (2003) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Ringworld by Chaosium - based on Larry Niven's Ringworld novels
- Robotech (1986, 2008) - published by Palladium Books under license from Harmony Gold USA; based on the original Robotech anime series
- Second Coming by K. Gilbert (Futuristic fun with mutants, aliens, psi-corps and humans.)
- Serenity by Sovereign Press, based on the television series Firefly and the film Serenity.
- Shatterzone
- Shock: Social Science Fiction
- Jorune/Skyrealms of Jorune
- SLA Industries
- Space 1889 by Game Designers' Workshop - Victorian Era Sci-Fi (steampunk)
- Spacemaster - the SF adaptation of Rolemaster
- Space Opera - by Fantasy Games Unlimited
- Splicers (2004) - Created by Carmen Bellaire, published by Palladium Books
- Star Frontiers by TSR
- Stargate SG-1 (RPG) by AEG
- Star Hero - the SF adaptation of Hero Games' Hero System
- Starship Troopers - Based on Starship Troopers (novel), the films Starship Troopers (film) (1997) and Starship Troopers 2 (2004), and TV series Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles. Created by Mongoose Publishing.
- Star Trek RPG[disambiguation needed]
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game - the D6 System ancestor published by West End Games (1987-1999)
- Star Wars Roleplaying Game - the D20 System version published by Wizards of the Coast (2000-2010)
- Star Wreck Roleplaying Game - Based on the Star Wreck fan film series.
- Systems Failure (1999) - Created by Bill Coffin, published by Palladium Books
- Tales from the Floating Vagabond
- Time Lord — Adventures through Time and Space, a Doctor Who RPG
- Tokyo NOVA (Japanese) - cyberpunk
- Transhuman Space
- Traveller - by Game Designers' Workshop, Marc Miller
- Trinity - by White Wolf Publishing
- Twilight 2000 by Game Designers' Workshop (1984)
- Underground by Mayfair Games
- Universe by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI)
- Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay (including Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, and Black Crusade) by Fantasy Flight Games and Games Workshop
- Wraeththu
- World of Synnibarr by WonderWorld Press.
Superhero
- Aberrant by White Wolf Publishing
- Big Bang Comics
- Blood of Heroes
- Brave New World
- Capes
- Cartoon Action Hour by Spectrum Games
- Champions by Hero Games
- DC Heroes by Mayfair Games
- DC Universe Roleplaying Game by West End Games
- Double Cross
- Golden Heroes by Games Workshop
- GURPS Supers by Steve Jackson Games
- Heroes Unlimited (1984, 1998) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game by Marvel Publishing Group
- Marvel Super Heroes Role-Playing Game by TSR
- Mutants & Masterminds by Green Ronin Publishing
- Omlevex
- Silver Age Sentinels by Guardians of Order
- Superworld by Chaosium
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness (1985) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books under license from Mirage Studios; based on the original comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
- Trinity (role-playing game)
- Underground by Mayfair Games
- Villains and Vigilantes by Fantasy Games Unlimited
- Wild Talents
- With Great Power...
Multi-genre and cross-genre
- CthulhuTech by Wildfire - H.P. Lovecraft's horror with Mecha and Anime influences
- DragonMech (steampunk/fantasy)
- Dragonstar (science fiction/fantasy)
- Godlike (superhero/alternate history)
- Immortal: The Invisible War - Created by Ron Valerhon. Immortal mixes modern fantasy, horror, science fiction and world mythology.
- Lords of Creation (1983) by Avalon Hill Inc.
- Rifts (1990) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Shadowrun (cyberpunk fantasy)
- Terra the Gunslinger (Japanese) - western and steampunk, use playing cards instead of dice
- TORG - published by West End Games
- Worlds of Wonder by Chaosium
- Zen and the Art of Mayhem
Other genres
- Big Eyes, Small Mouth by Guardians of Order - anime based RPG
- Primetime Adventures by Dog-eared Design
Universal role-playing systems
- Active Exploits
- Amazing Engine
- Basic Role-Playing by Chaosium
- CORPS by Blacksburg Tactical Research Center
- Cortex System Roleplaying Game
- d6 System - West End Games' in-house system, based on the Star Wars RPG
- d20 System - based on Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition rules
- EABA by Blacksburg Tactical Research Center
- FATE - Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment based on the FUDGE engine
- FUDGE - Free, Universal, Do-it-Yourself Gaming Engine by Steffan O'Sullivan
- Fuzion
- GURPS - Generic Universal Role Playing System by Steve Jackson (US)
- Hero System by Hero Games
- Masterbook by West End Games
- OGL System by Mongoose Publishing
- Risus
- Savage Worlds
- Storyteller System - published by White Wolf Publishing uses D10 only. System used in both WoD's and the Trinity Universe
- Tri-Stat dX - universal system used in Big Eyes, Small Mouth
- True20 - Published by Green Ronin Publishing
- TWERPS
- Unisystem by Eden Studios, Inc.
- Universalis by Ramshead Publishing