Overview of different TTRPG genres

Welcome, adventurers and aspiring Game Masters! In this guide we’ll explore the vast and diverse world of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), and you'll find an overview of different TTRPG genres and systems. Whether you’re drawn to epic fantasy, grimdark tales of survival, spine-chilling horror, or futuristic space exploration, there’s a TTRPG system out there to suit every storytelling style. Understanding these different systems is the first step toward mastering the art of game running and finding the perfect fit for your group's unique playstyle. Let's dive into the key genres and a few games that bring these worlds to life.

Epic Fantasy

For those who dream of slaying dragons and wielding powerful magic, epic fantasy is where you’ll find home. These games bring high adventure, vast worlds, and stories of heroism.

• Dungeons & Dragons: The quintessential fantasy RPG, D&D has been the corner-stone of the genre for decades. With its flexible mechanics and wealth of published adventures, it's perfect for groups looking to tell grand, heroic stories.

• Pathfinder: For those seeking a more customizable experience, Pathfinder builds on D&D's foundation with deeper rules for character creation and tactical combat. It’s often favored by those who enjoy complex mechanics.

• The One Ring: If Middle-Earth is your fantasy, The One Ring transports players to the world of Tolkien. This game emphasizes travel, exploration, and the emotional toll of a long journey, blending well with the rich lore of Middle-Earth.

Grimdark and Low Fantasy

In stark contrast to the grandeur of epic fantasy, grimdark and low fantasy settings are gritty, grounded, and often morally complex. Heroes are flawed, and the world is harsh and unforgiving.

• Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: The epitome of grimdark fantasy, where players face a world corrupted by chaos, where even the bravest can fall prey to madness or corruption. It’s a game of survival, struggle, and inevitable doom.

• Shadow of the Demon Lord: This game embraces the darkness with apocalyptic overtones. In Shadow of the Demon Lord, players are heroes fighting against encroaching evil, but victory often comes with great personal sacrifice.

• Blades in the Dark: This one captures the grim, low-fantasy vibe in a city filled with criminal heists, haunted streets, and grim supernatural elements. It’s perfect for groups that enjoy morally grey characters and underworld dealings.

• ShadowDark RPG: captures the essence of old-school dungeon crawling with a modern twist, emphasizing deadly dungeons, resource management, and quick, lethal combat.

Horror and Mystery

If you prefer an atmosphere filled with tension, fear, and dark secrets, horror and mystery TTRPGs immerse players in unsettling worlds where survival is uncertain, and the unknown lurks around every corner.

• Call of Cthulhu: The quintessential horror game, where investigators face cosmic horrors and madness. In this system, characters are fragile, and the emphasis is on survival and sanity rather than heroism.

• Alien RPG: Capturing the claustrophobic terror of the iconic film franchise, Alien RPG focuses on survival horror, where players face terrifying xenomorphs and the dread of space exploration.

• Vampire: The Masquerade: Part of the World of Darkness, Vampire offers gothic horror blended with personal stories of moral conflict. Players take on the role of vampires navigating a dark and twisted society.

• Call of Cthulhu - Delta Green: A modern horror RPG focusing on secret government organizations battling against Lovecraftian threats. It mixes espionage, conspiracy, and unspeakable horror, where no one is ever safe.

• Vaesen: Set in a gothic horror version of 19th-century Scandinavia, Vaesen combines folk horror with investigation as players confront strange creatures and terrifying legends of the north.

Sci-Fi and Space Exploration

For those who dream of exploring distant galaxies, encountering alien species, or piloting starships, sci-fi TTRPGs open the door to futuristic adventures across the stars.

• Starfinder: A science-fantasy RPG that blends magic and technology, Starfinder allows players to explore spacefaring civilizations, engage in starship combat, and uncover ancient mysteries in the far reaches of the universe.

• Alien RPG: In addition to horror, Alien RPG also captures the dread and isolation of space exploration. Players may take on the roles of explorers, soldiers, or corporate agents as they venture into the unknown.

• Traveller: One of the original sci-fi RPGs, Traveller is focused on realistic space exploration, interstellar trade, and survival. It’s known for its rich world-building and sandbox approach to galactic adventures. Although highly regarded and with a dedicated fanbase, it has historically maintained a cult status rather than achieving mainstream popularity. Its complex mechanics and niche appeal may deter casual players.

• Eclipse Phase: Set in a transhumanist future, Eclipse Phase explores themes of body-swapping, AIs, and existential threats. It’s a darker, more cerebral take on space exploration and survival.

• Stars Without Number: A sandbox space opera where exploration, ancient alien ruins, and intergalactic power struggles create the backdrop for player-driven stories.

Superhero

(image credit: Dustin Weaver for Marvel Comics)

For those who wish to don a cape and mask, superhero TTRPGs bring comic book action to the tabletop. These games let players embody larger-than-life heroes and tackle world-shattering threats.

• Mutants & Masterminds: A classic superhero RPG, known for its flexibility in character creation. It allows players to build heroes of any power level, from street-level vigilantes to godlike beings.

• Marvel Multiverse RPG: Channelling the excitement of Marvel’s iconic characters, this game lets players either create their own superheroes or play as their favorite Marvel icons. It's perfect for fans of fast-paced, comic-style action.

• Avatar Legends RPG transports players to the world of elemental bending, drawing inspiration from Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, blending heroism with the spirit of adventure.

Post-Apocalyptic Adventures

For those who yearn to survive in a world forever changed, post-apocalyptic TTRPGs present bleak landscapes where humanity is hanging by a thread, and danger lurks in every shadow.

• Mutant: Year Zero: In this game, players take on the role of mutated survivors in a world ravaged by catastrophe. The game focuses on exploration, survival, and rebuilding society.

• Fallout: The RPG: Based on the popular video game series, Fallout RPG lets players explore a post-nuclear wasteland filled with mutated creatures, remnants of civilization, and competing factions.

TTRPG genres overview by other experts

This list is by no means exhaustive, but each of these systems offers a unique flavour of gameplay, and knowing which one suits your group's interests is crucial to becoming a masterful Game Master. A good guide to choose is presented by How to be a Great GM, in his video How to Choose Your First TTRPG and How to Run it

Whether you aim to run daring adventures, unravel horrifying mysteries, or lead your players through a dystopian wasteland, there’s a TTRPG out there waiting for you.