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
- Fiasco - a GM-less game about petty criminals and cruel twists of fate
- GUMSHOE System
- Inner City by Inner City Games
- 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
- Night of the Ninja
- 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
- Archaeron
- 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.
- Bifrost
- 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
- By the Gods
- 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.
- Chronicles of Ramlar
- Conan supplements, Conan Unchained! and Conan Against Darkness!, both published in 1984 by TSR
- Conan Role-Playing Game, using the so-called "ZeFRS" (Zeb's Fantasy Roleplaying System), and published in 1985 by TSR
- GURPS Conan, using the GURPS system and published as of 1989 by Steve Jackson Games
- Conan: The Roleplaying Game, the OGL System version published from 2004 to 2010 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
- Dinky Dungeons
- Donjon - by Clinton R. Nixon
- Dragon Age
- Dragonlance: Fifth Age - by TSR
- DragonQuest
- DragonRaid - a Christian RPG, created by Dick Wulf in 1984
- Dragonroar
- 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
- Dungeon World - a fantasy game Powered by the Apocalypse created by Sage Latorra and Adam Koebel
- Earthdawn
- Element Masters
- 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
- Hidden Kingdom
- In Nomine - Based on the In Nomine Satanis / Magna Veritas French roleplaying game
- Ironclaw - by Sanguine Productions Ltd
- 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
- MEGA Role-Playing System
- Middle Earth Role Play - based on the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien
- Midgard - the oldest German fantasy RPG
- Mistborn Adventure Game - based on the Mistborn book series by Brandon Sanderson
- 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
- MYFAROG (Mythic Fantasy Roleplaying Game)
- Mythworld
- 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
- Phantasy Conclave
- Powers and Perils - by Avalon Hill
- Rêve: the Dream Ouroboros by Denis Gerfaud (french, Rêve de Dragon)
- The Riddle of Steel by Driftwood Publishing
- 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
- The Shadow of Yesterday by Clinton R. Nixon
- Shard RPG (anthropomorphic heroic-fantasy) by Shard Studios
- Skyrealms of Jorune (or just "Jorune")
- The Slayers d20 by Guardians of Order
- Sphinx
- 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
- Tormenta Brazilian RPG by Marcelo Cassaro, J.M. Trevisan, Saladino
- Tribe 8 by Dream Pod 9
- Tunnels and Trolls by Flying Buffalo
- Trollbabe a game by Ron Edwards (game designer)
- Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game by White Wolf Publishing—a roleplaying game book based on the popular computer game by Blizzard
- 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.
- What Price Glory?!
- The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game - based on The Wheel of Time novel series by author Robert Jordan
- Wiedźmin (Polish) by MAG (game)
- Wizards' Realm
- 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
- The Adventures of Indiana Jones Role-Playing Game by TSR - based on the Indiana Jones films
- 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
- Justice, Inc. by Hero Games - 1930s Pulp fiction oriented adventure
- Pendragon (or King Arthur Pendragon) Arthurian legend
- Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
- Space 1889 by Game Designers' Workshop - Victorian Era Sci-Fi
- Spirit of the Century - Pulp adventure
- Tibet -Historical fantasy set in Tibet circa 1959 during the Chinese invasion. Vajra Enterprises.
- Twilight 2000 by GDW(1984)
- Two Fisted Tales" by Precis Intermedia Games - 1930s Pulp fiction oriented adventure
- 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
- The World of Indiana Jones by West End Games
- Yarr! Pirate RPG By BD Games. Historical Fantasy set in the age of Piracy. A rules-light game for children, beginners, and veteran players alike.
Horror
- All Flesh Must Be Eaten - Zombie survival horror game by Eden Studios, Inc.
- Attack of the Humans
- Beyond the Supernatural (1987, 2005) - Created by Randy McCall and Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer - based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show by Eden Studios
- Bureau 13: Stalking the Night Fantastic by Tri Tac Games
- Call of Cthulhu - based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft
- Chill
- Dark Conspiracy
- 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
- Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
- Sorcerer (role-playing game) by Ron Edwards
- 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
- 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 - hard science fiction
- 9th Generation
- After the Bomb - mutant animals in post-apocalyptic setting
- Aftermath! - post-apocalyptic
- Albedo - based on the furry comic book stories by Steve Gallacci
- Alternity
- Battlelords of the 23rd Century - space opera
- Blackwatch
- Blue Planet - environmentally themed; set in a water planet
- Buck Rogers XXVC
- The Confederate Rangers
- Conspiracy X - aliens, UFOs, and government coverups
- C°ntinuum - time travel adventure
- Cthulhutech - Cthulhu Mythos with mecha, horror, magic and futuristic action
- Cybergeneration - follow-up to Cyberpunk 2020
- Cyberpunk 2020 - based on the Mirrorshades authors
- Cyberspace - cyberpunk adaptation of Space Master
- D6 Space
- d20 Future - accessory for d20 Modern game
- Darwin's World - post-apocalyptic
- The Doctor Who Role Playing Game
- Deadlands: Hell on Earth - post-apocalyptic western
- Eclipse Phase - hard science fiction
- Etherscope - steampunk
- Ex Machina - cyberpunk
- Fading Suns - space opera
- Fringeworthy - alternate history adventure
- FTL:2448
- Gamma World - post-apocalyptic fantasy
- GURPS Cyberpunk
- GURPS Space
- Halcyon - cyberpunk
- Heavy Gear - mecha
- Incursion
- Jeremiah: The Roleplaying Game - based on the TV series
- Jorune - science fantasy
- Jovian Chronicles - mecha and epic space battles
- Judge Dredd - based on the future law enforcement comic book series
- Legionnaire - based on the Renegade Legion space opera strategy boardgames
- Living Steel
- Macross II - based on the mecha anime film and manga
- Mach: The First Colony
- The Mechanoid Invasion
- MechWarrior - based on the BattleTech mecha wargame
- Mekton - inspired by mecha anime
- The Metabarons Roleplaying Game - based on the Metabarons space opera comic book series
- Metamorphosis Alpha - the first science fiction role-playing game
- The Morrow Project - post-apocalyptic
- Multiverser
- Mutant - post-apocalyptic
- Mutant Chronicles - successor to Mutant
- Mutazoids
- Neuroshima (Polish) - post-apocalyptic
- Paranoia - a satire of dystopian futures
- Pax Draconis - space opera
- Phoenix Command
- Prime Directive - set in the Star Trek-derived Star Fleet Universe
- Reich Star alternate history; fight Nazis in space
- Rifts - post-apocalyptic
- Rifts Chaos Earth - spinoff of Rifts
- Ringworld - based on Larry Niven's novels
- The Robotic Age - futuristic cyberpunk by True In One[1]
- Robotech - based on the Robotech mecha anime television series
- Second Dawn
- Serenity - based on the TV series Firefly and the film Serenity
- Shatterzone - space opera
- Shock: Social Science Fiction
- Skyrealms of Jorune - science fantasy
- SLA Industries
- Space 1889 - steampunk
- Space Infantry
- Space Master - adaptation of Rolemaster
- Space Opera
- Spaceship Zero
- Splicers
- Star Frontiers
- Stargate SG-1
- Star Hero - adaptation of the Hero System
- Starship Troopers - based on the novel Starship Troopers and related movies and cartoon series
- Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)
- Star Trek Roleplaying Game (Decipher)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Role-playing Game
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (West End Games)
- Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast)
- Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Fantasy Flight Games)
- Star Wreck Roleplaying Game - comedy; based on the Star Wreck fan film series
- Systems Failure - post-apocalyptic
- Tales from the Floating Vagabond - comedy
- Time Lord - a Doctor Who game
- Tokyo NOVA (Japanese) - cyberpunk
- Transhuman Space - hard science fiction
- Traveller
- Traveller: 2300 - hard science fiction
- Trinity
- Twilight 2000 - survivors in the aftermath of World War III
- Underground - future satire featuring renegade superheroes
- Universe
- Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay - space fantasy based on the Warhammer 40,000 wargame
- Wraeththu - based on the science fantasy novels of Storm Constantine
- World of Synnibarr
- Worlds of Rage - science fiction with a gothic horror influence (http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Rage-Role-Playing-Game-ebook/dp/B00JW1QMKU/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1432852282&sr=8-13&keywords=worlds+of+rage)
Superhero
- Aberrant by White Wolf Publishing
- Big Bang Comics
- Blood of Heroes
- Brave New World
- Capes
- Cartoon Action Hour by Spectrum Games
- Challengers
- Champions by Hero Games
- City of Heroes Roleplaying Game
- DC Heroes by Mayfair Games
- DC Universe Roleplaying Game by West End Games
- Double Cross
- Enforcers
- Golden Heroes by Games Workshop
- GURPS Supers by Steve Jackson Games
- Heroes Unlimited (1984, 1998) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Marvel Heroic Roleplaying by Margaret Weis Productions
- Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game by Marvel Publishing Group
- Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game by TSR
- 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
- 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.
- Iron Kingdoms - Based on the Warmachine and Hordes universe by Privateer Press (steampunk/fantasy)
- Lords of Creation (1983) by Avalon Hill Inc.
- Numenera (2013) by Monte Cook Games (science fantasy)
- Rifts (1990) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
- Sanctum Polis - Rest Eternal Memory Caxton must travel inside of dreams to discover who is responsible for the serial murders taking place at Solaris Notre University.
- 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
- Omega Connection by Mark McClane
- Pitfalls and Penguins by Team Snow Day
- 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
- Insight RPG System by NEVR
- Masterbook by West End Games
- OGL System by Mongoose Publishing
- Risus
- Roleplayer
- SAGA System - published by TSR
- 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
References
External links
- A longer list can be found at http://www.darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/encyclopedia/