First and foremost, this is NOT a hate on D&D post. You may have strong feelings one way or another for the game, but this is strictly an exposure post to share other systems that are out there. We will also be refraining for sharing well established IP/brands such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings, etc.
Many first time Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) players are introduced to the hobby through Dungeons & Dragons. It was the catalyst for myself, and for many it is the first title to pop in their mind when they think of “nerdy” games or care to ask “Is this like, Dungeons & Dragons?”. For 50 years it has been a staple in the RPG community, but it is not the only TTRPG out there.
In an age where the development and access to published content is not as restricted, we now have a plethora of choices when it comes to gaming. Not to mention, the ability to meet virtually via sites such as Zoom, Discord (my personal favorite), and Roll20 means we as players or Game Masters are not restricted to playing at a physical tabletop. This has broadened the ability to play with friends and fellow gamers no matter where they are located. Though, there is nothing quite like sitting around the table with friends or other enthusiasts while immersing yourself in storytelling and game play.
So, what else is there to play besides Dungeons & Dragons? You have come to the right place! We know there are an overwhelming number of options currently and we will dive deeper into some of these games with broader posts in the future, but here is a quick list of ten other RPG systems, plus, a couple upcoming titles set to release in the new year, with base descriptions that may peek your interest. Enjoy!
Related: The Use of History In Tabletop Role Playing Games
Pathfinder by Paizo
As one of the most played TTRPG systems out there, Pathfinder has been a steady and beloved title by gaming enthusiasts since publicly launching in 2009 by Paizo. This complete, standalone, fantasy roleplaying game takes your fantasy campaigns to new heights of adventure! Backward-compatible with 3.5 fantasy rules but offering new solutions and options that place it firmly on the cutting edge, the Pathfinder RPG is the culmination of the largest open public playtest in RPG history. The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook includes: revised rules for the classic seven fantasy RPG races; updated options for the 11 core classes; a streamlined skill system that makes things easier for players and GMs; a host of new and familiar feats, including innovative combat feats and item creation rules; new equipment; additional combat options; overhauled rules for domains, familiars, bonded items, specialty schools, and more; dozens of new and revised spells; updated rules for NPCs, including quick-generation rules; new rules for curses, diseases, and poisons; a completely overhauled experience system with options for slow, medium, and fast advancement; hundreds and hundreds of magic items… and much, much more!
CLICK HERE to order your copy now!
Candela Obscura by Darrington Press/Critical Role
Photo Credit: Darrington Press
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook is a fully detailed guide on playing and gamemastering the collaborative investigative horror tabletop roleplaying game. As an investigator of the paranormal secret society Candela Obscura, you and your circle are charged with exploring, fighting, and protecting the people of Newfaire from supernatural dangers lurking in the folds of a bustling world unaware of the occult magick simmering beneath. Candela Obscura is the very first game to use the Illuminated Worlds System as well as the first full RPG from Darrington Press, as featured in the ongoing anthology series on Critical Role.
CLICK HERE to order your copy now!
Related: Candela Obscura Review
Get gaming fast with The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book including brand-new micro-RPGs created by experts across the gaming world. From space exploration to jungle dungeon crawlers this book has everything you need to pick up and play today.
With these quick-start games, you can create your own adventures, alone or with friends, without any prep, and with minimal set up and pieces. Whether you’re new to RPGs or working towards your level 20 mage, this collection is a great way to try out different games and systems, and test your roleplaying skills on different character types and situations.
Blades in the Dark RPG by Evil Hat Productions
Blades in the dark is a tabletop role-playing game about a crew of daring scoundrels seeking their fortunes on the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city. There are heists, chases, occult mysteries, dangerous bargains, bloody skirmishes, and, above all, riches to be had — if you’re bold enough to seize them. You and your fledgling crew must thrive amidst the threats of rival gangs, powerful noble families, Vengeful ghosts, the bluecoats of the city watch, and the siren song of your scoundrel’s own vices. Will you rise to power in the criminal underworld?
Solo RPG Collection by Basu Nat
In this 5 book collection you will find information and resources on how to develop and play your own solo roleplaying games! Author Basu Nat wanted to help newcomers, curious hobbyists, and even seasoned storytellers exploring this unique corner of the RPG world. He developed the following titles to help achieve his goal:
Solo RPG for Beginners
In these pages, you’ll find clear, friendly explanations of what Solo RPGs are and how they work, alongside practical advice and step-by-step examples of gameplay. You’ll dive into some of the most popular Solo RPG systems, from well-loved titles like Ironsworn and The Quiet Year, to emerging gems. Basu included detailed examples of solo adventures to demystify concepts and provide inspiration, so you can see how the pieces fit together.
This book is an invitation to explore your imagination at your own pace. I’ve written it with a personal tone, but ensured every chapter is clear, and packed with value. Whether you’re seeking creative solitude or looking for a way to deepen your storytelling skills, this book is for you.
Solo RPG Hexcrawls
Solo RPG Hexcrawls is born from a desire to explore that potential, to unlock what makes hexcrawling such a powerful and flexible tool for role-playing games.
You’ll start with the basics—what exactly a hexcrawl is, how it works, and why it’s such a perfect match for solo and co-op play. From there, we’ll dive deeper into the mechanics of building hexcrawls, populating them with points of interest, and running them effectively across a variety of settings and genres. You’ll examine how wilderness exploration differs from dungeon crawling and explore ways to adapt hexcrawling to popular systems that weren’t originally designed for it, like Ironsworn or Blades in the Dark.
But Solo RPG Hexcrawls isn’t just about systems and mechanics. It’s about stories. The story of your character and your world—and how those stories evolve as you explore the unknown. Hexcrawls create a unique sense of narrative freedom, where the world around you feels alive and reactive, shaped by your choices as much as by any game rule. That’s what makes them special.
Throughout this book, you’ll find examples, tools, and strategies to help you create meaningful and memorable experiences in your own hexcrawls. You’ll also find advice on how to keep the game fun, engaging, and full of surprises, no matter how many hexes you’ve explored or how many dungeons you’ve delved into.
Solo RPG with Miniatures
In today’s RPG world, there’s an astonishing variety of tools and resources available, yet many solo role-players might hesitate to incorporate miniatures due to concerns about complexity, expense, or simply the unknown. Perhaps you’ve looked at beautifully painted figures online or admired elaborate terrain setups but felt unsure of where to begin. Solo RPG with Miniatures exists to offer you a welcoming, approachable guide that makes the world of miniatures accessible, practical, and enjoyable.
In this book, you’ll explore a variety of miniatures, systems, and setups that fit seamlessly into solo and cooperative RPGs. This book is meant to guide you gently through each step, revealing how simple and satisfying this hobby can be.
Solo RPG Secret Files
In this volume you’ll discover how to create, run and play one-shot Solo RPG adventures. You will find dark oracles and tarot cards for your solo adventures and campaign integration. Also, you will explore advanced tools and new original mechanics. You will find a lot of tips for solo and co-op players. Solo RPG Secret Files is a exclusive guide for RPG enthusiasts that offers you new resources to enrich your Solo RPG adventures. Explore this 80 pages guide and transform your solo or co-op gaming experience.
Solo RPG Lazy Player
Solo RPG Lazy Player is more than just a book; it’s a gateway to a new way of experiencing solo RPGs. Unlock the power of AI and digital tools to transform your gameplay into a smooth, enjoyable, and exciting experience. Immerse yourself in endless adventures with minimal preparation and maximum fun.
CLICK HERE to order from the collection now!
Starfinder Enhanced by Paizo
Starfinder Enhanced is the single largest influx of rules into the game since the Starfinder Character Operations Manual and brings a host of new and updated rules and gameplay options to Starfinder – from new classes, spells and feats to narrative starship combat. Starfinder Enhanced provides new options for every class in Starfinder, but it also presents enhanced versions of four classes in particular: the Envoy, the Solarian, the Technomancer, and the Witchwarper. These optional adjustments will spice up your games with new options for your old favorite classes. Eleven themes – six brand new and five adapted from Starfinder Adventure Paths – bolster the breadth of backgrounds available for your characters, from the bouncer and pickpocket to the battle medic and vidgamer.
Starfinder Enhanced provides nine new archetypes to help you customize your character as they grow along different paths of ability-granting expertise. These include options as disparate as armored visionary, counselor, menagerie manager (perfect for those with an affinity for creature companions), and major league coach. Twelve new creature companions graces these pages, each with a description of their widely varying physiology and habits, plus a stat block that details their unique abilities once they’ve become you’re bonded companion.
Find new abilities that fit your character concept perfectly and enhance your ability to tell even better stories and change the tide of battle. Starfinder Enhanced includes more than 90 new feats, many of which are available upon character creation. Starfinder Enhanced presents several dozen new spells that support all four spellcasting classes, providing a wide range of spell levels as well as a variety of flavor and utility. Ten powerful new rituals (first introduced in Starfinder Galactic Magic) complete the package. Starfinder Enhanced also includes guidelines for making your very own spells. This advice lets you add your unique concepts while making sure they’re compatible with Starfinder.
One of the greatest roleplaying games of all time comes back in a new edition designed for the 21st Century! Building on the previous editions of the game, the all new RuneQuest system has been developed under the watchful eyes of Messrs Stafford and Perrin, and has been subjected to the longest and most open playtesting period that any Mongoose game has been through. Released as a 100-page hardback book, RuneQuest gives players all the core rules they need to begin playing – indeed, with the monsters included in this book, Games Masters can construct complete scenarios with this single tome.
CLICK HERE to order your copy now!
Sentinel Comics RPG: Core Rulebook by Greater Than Games
Photo Credit: Greater Than Games
This is a game of powerful heroes, terrifying villains, and the conflicts between them in a world of comic book storytelling. The years of Sentinel Comics storytelling that Greater Than Games has produced have all lead up to this point, and now it’s time for you to take the reins of your own heroes and bring evil to justice! (Recommended Age: 14 years and up)
CLICK HERE to order your copy now!
Call of Cthulhu RPG by Chaosium
The Old Ones ruled the earth aeons before the rise of man. Traces of their cyclopean cities can still be found on remote islands, buried amid the shifting desert sands, and in the frozen wastes of the polar extremes. Originally they came to this world from the stars. They sleep now, some deep within the earth or beneath the sea. When the stars are right they shall again walk the earth.
Call of Cthulhu is a tabletop roleplaying game based upon the worlds of H. P. Lovecraft. It is a game of secrets, mysteries, and horror. Playing the role of steadfast investigators, you travel to strange and dangerous places, uncover foul plots, and stand against the terrors of the Cthulhu Mythos. You encounter sanity-blasting entities, monsters, and insane cultists. Within strange and forgotten tomes of lore you discover revelations that man was not meant to know. You and your companions may very well decide the fate of the world.
This book, the Keeper Rulebook, contains the core rules, background, guidance, spells, and monsters of the game. It is intended for use by the Keeper of Arcane Lore (the Keeper) that player who will present the adventure to the other players. You must have at least one copy of this book to play Call of Cthulhu. The other players, the Investigators, will find it useful to have one or more copies of the Investigator Handbook, containing expanded rules for character creation, skills, occupations, equipment, and more.
The Wrath and Glory Starter Set contains everything you need to begin roleplaying action packed adventures in the world of Warhammer 40,000. Whether this is your first tabletop roleplaying game, or you are an experienced Gamemaster, this exciting boxed set is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in Wrath and Glory. Contents: Traitor’s Hymn, a 48 page adventure set aboard the Varonius Flotilla, the beleaguered flotilla of ships intended to relieve the system, but which is now trapped in Gilead along with the rest of the system’s denizens. The adventure teaches you and your friends how to play — no prep required. The Varonius Flotilla, a guide to the ships, crew, and brutal internal politics of the fleet lead to Gilead by the Rogue Trader Jakel Varonius. Packed with NPCs, plot hooks, one page adventures and detailed ports of call around the system, this is the perfect way to continue your Wrath and Glory campaign. A thrilling introduction to the Gilead System, the exciting setting of Wrath and Glory 5 gatefold character sheets with pre-generated characters, each with their own goals, background, and connections. Three two-sided rules reference sheets with summaries of important rules and combat. Tokens for tracking Wrath, Glory, and Ruin. A set of 8, six-sided dice, including one unique Wrath Die.
CLICK HERE to order your copy now!
Highly-Anticipated, Upcoming Titles:
Daggerheart by Darrington Press/Critical Role (Expected Release Spring 2025)
Daggerheart is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game of brave heroics and vibrant worlds that are built together with your gaming group. Create a shared story with your adventuring party, and shape your world through rich, long-term campaign play. When it’s time for the game mechanics to control fate, players roll one HOPE die and one FEAR die (both 12-sided dice), which will ultimately impact the outcome for your characters. When Hope die is higher, you also take Hope to power future abilities and turn the tide in your favor! If the Fear die is higher, the game master takes Fear, which they’ll use to challenge the characters and richly complicate your narrative. This duality between the forces of hope and fear on every hero drives the unique character-focused narratives in Daggerheart.
In addition to dice, Daggerheart’s card system makes it easy to get started and satisfying to grow your abilities by bringing your characters’ background and capabilities to your fingertips. Ancestry and Community cards describe where you come from and how your experience shapes your customs and values. Meanwhile, your Subclass and Domain cards grant your character plenty of tantalizing abilities to choose from as your character evolves. Craft your unique character through the cards you choose and the story you tell, and become the hero you want to be!
Daggerheart game masters ask questions of their players and build on the answer, so every world, map, adventure, and story interweaves the character backgrounds and all the player’s ideas. Daggerheart offers in-depth resources for game masters of all experience levels to ensure that anyone and everyone feels comfortable leading their game. From setting expectations in a session zero, to worldbuilding, campaign building, and adventure building, this rulebook has you covered with advice and full tutorial examples of play.
Draw Steel by MCDM (Expected Release Summer 2025)
Related: Strongholds and Followers Review
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Some products may have also been gifted to us for review purposes. We only recommend products we love and believe will add value to your experience. Read more on our Business Conduct Page. Thank you for supporting our blog!
