So I got that recent Bundle of Holding and also bought The Sprawl. What other PbtA games should I check out if I want to eventually write my own game? I want to see as many interesting takes on the system as I can.
So I got that recent Bundle of Holding and also bought The Sprawl.
So I got that recent Bundle of Holding and also bought The Sprawl.
That very much depends on the type of game you are writing. But I suggest Apocalypse World, Dungeon World, Monsterhearts, and Monster of the Week if you don’t have those already.
Monster of the Week for sure! I also like Tremulus for a different take on building a setting.
Legacy: Life Among the Ruins (2e) is great because it uses two sets of playbooks – Family + Character. 😊
Play all of the games already mentioned, then Google around for Simple World.
Also World of Dungeons. This three page free download cuts to the very essence of PbtA games!
Both Spirit of 77 and Uncharted Worlds have interesting takes on character creation, basic moves, and other features.
Here’s a bunch…
fictioneers.net – Games Listing | FICTIONEERS.net
Monsterhearts for it’s incredibly clear explanation of PbtA principles and themes. And something well off the well-trod path such as Dream Askew or What-ho world.
If you are missing Undying you are really missing something. As per cyberpunk I’d check The Veil too. Undying (VtM inspired) has a brilliant diceless approach based on blood management and player choices, and a strong pvp feeling.
If I was going to recommend some ‘must play’ PbtA games then I’d go with Apocalypse World, Monsterhearts, World Wide Wrestling, and Fellowship. The original, the clearest distillation of its principles, and a couple of more out-there versions to show you what it can do.
Alan Scott Monsterhearts 2ed
Monsterhearts, and definitely, Definitely Sagas of the Icelanders. Sagas has some of the best insights on the game’s structure, and of the best moves writing, across the board of all PBTA games.
Everybody’s advice here has been really good, but I’d add: play whichever game most excites you.
Monsterhearts for the strings
Apocalypse World for being the original
Undying for the diceless mechanics
Urban Shadows for interesting politics across factions
I actually think you should skip Dungeon World (as it’s best if you want to emulate D&D in a PbtA system) and tremulus (as the system is rather bland and doesnt bring anything new to the table – it does have a very good chapter about building the lovecraftian world).
EDIT: Oh and I recommend the ‘+1 Forward’ podcast for interviews with the designers of many of the mentioned games. Gives some good insight into the mechanics of their game and why they made the decisions they did.
The Warren is the most perfect PbtA game. Everything you don’t need has been cut from the game. What’s left is all gold.
I found The Veil a cool brain-bender in the best possible way.
I agree with John Lewis. Tremulus’ world building survey is excellent to check out.
Steffan DelPiano Christian Stenz I’d rather read Stealing Cthulhu or the new Cthulhu Dark for Lovecraft world building
I’ll have to check them out, FT.
I think if you’re trying to explore a breadth of PbtA approaches, the tremulus approach to world building is worth exploring. Just do so with the understanding that the playbooks and moves don’t show very much insight into what makes PbtA games work.
It’s not my favorite PbtA game, but I think Masks: A New Generation is the best example of one, especially for people trying to understand the system (such that it even is a system).