Back in November, I did a post about my personal top Five board games. I have been pondering what kind of list to next... and decided to stay true to my nerd roots and do a list of my favorite tabletop RPGs with a couple of additional recommendations because reasons.... don't most lists have a cheat somewhere in them?
1) Mage the Ascension -- This White Wolf game has been my favorite RPG since it was first released in 1993. The game is based around the concept that magick exists but is restricted by the beliefs of society. There is an ongoing war between two major factions - the "science" based Technocracy and the Traditions - groups of different school of magick joined by a common goal to free us all. It's Matrix meets Dresden meets The Magicians meets many other supernatural stories you can think of and more. Throw in the other games of Vampire, Werewolf, and Wraith, and you will have a wonderfully dark modern gothic tale. Totally worth a shot.
2) Dungeons and Dragons -- Arguably, the original game that started many people over the decades to join up with friends to go delving into the earth for riches and wonders. It is the fantasy setting with elves, dwarves, and halflings facing off against evil dragons, demons, and vile undead. Good times
Additional recommendation -- Watch Critical Role on Geek and Sundry if just to see what gaming like this is about and see how much fun can be had.
3) Shadowrun -- D&D in the future.... sorta... Shadowrun is a future Earth in a cyberpunk meets magic existence. Cybernetics, massive corporations, elves and dwarves return, dragons, you name it. This game is chockfull of fun and story. 5th edition has done a solid job of getting people into the thick of this world.
4) Deadlands -- This is a Weird West tale involving the supernatural Wild West.... the Civil War never came to an end because the dead on the fields of battle stood up and attacked all sides. Throw in mechanics like poker hands and poker chip along with side, and you have an amazingly fun and thematic RPG. Stay with the original edition which is available in off.
5) Numenera -- This is a high science/practically magic type of setting. It's is the Ninth age of beings existing on a place that was once called Earth. This new age is finding footing around the remnants of the civilizations prior, living and becoming more. Numenera is a light rules RPG brimming with outlandish possibilities.
If you are curious about these games, often you can find quick play rules to give them a shot... check out the options at DriveThruRpg for some free samples for rpgs... or check out your local gaming store to see what is playing.
Thanks for reading!