Other RPGs

An introductory RPG based on the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks of the era started by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone who would later go on to found Games Workshop in the UK.

"Thrilling adventures of sword and sorcery come to life in the Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, where the reader is the hero, dicing with death and demons in search of villain, treasure or freedom.

Now YOU can create your own Fighting Fantasy adventures and send your friends off on dangerous missions! In this clearly written handbook, there are hints on devising combats, monsters to use, tricks and tactics, as well as two mini-adventures complete with Gamemaster's notes for you to start with. Fighting Fantasy is the ideal introduction to the fast-growing world of role-playing games, and literally countless adventures await you!"

A small paperback RPG set in the world of Timhallan, setting of Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Darksword series.

Part RPG, part sourcebook for the Darksword books, this game represents the RPG portion as being a game called "Phantasia" that is played in Timhallan of the books, blurring the line between the story and the game. With a diceless custom action resolution mechanic that looks up results on a table after comparing two selected numbers (the TAROC system), Darksword is unique but worth more for it's immersive setting where everyone is a wizard and clerics grant them magical power, and those without magic are referred to as "the Dead", than its often lacklustre mechanics.

"In the enchanted realm of Timhallan, magic is life and the fate of the world rests in the hands of the one who wields the powerful, magic absorbing Darksword...".

An light-to-medium weight multi-genre RPG based on the earlier work of UK games convention afficionado, Simon Burley.

Referred to as a version of Simon's own "Code" system and heavily influenced by his work on other titles such as Squadron UK and the Code of book series, Manifold's mechanics rely on 6 stat lines, each with their own hit points, and 2D6 rolls for resolution. It has a character creation process that is fast and very open for players to build exactly what they want. Manifold is a monster of a book that gives you everything you need to run Fantasy, Horror, SciFi or superhero games in a cinematic style. 

"MANIFOLD has a seductive range of options which encourage players’ imagination and creativity. It’s a game full of twists and turns.... Just two six-sided dice but multiplied to give a swingy range of outcomes. Call it Cinematic. Call it Gonzo. It’s FUN! MANIFOLD is a high octane game of action, twists and plot reversals - no matter which genre you choose to play in."

A RPG based on the Robotech and Robotech 2: The Sentinels animated series (which were, in turn, adaptions of the Japanese Macross saga re-cut for a US audience).

This RPG uses a modified version of Palladium's Megaversal system and starts off a little like 1980's Dungeons and Dragons due to that system's use in the earlier Palladium Fantasy RPG. 

Character creation word on generating stats with 3D6 with skill resolution requiring percentile rolls and combat actions relying on D20 rolls. For large damage items (such as super lasers and missile barrages) 'mega hit points' are used to represent large amounts of toughness or damage.

Characters are created with a class/occupation system and the game feels like a poorly-fitting early 80's clone of D&D forced into a sci-fi bodybag. The artwork is lovely at least.

Thanks to Obi, I have two of these boxed sets in the library.

Based on Gene Roddenberry's original Star Trek series, the FASA Star Trek RPG is set some time between Kirk's original 5 year mission and the Next Generation TV series.

Character generation feels like early 'Traveller' and the game's mechanics are mostly based around skills that characters acquire by virtue of the jobs they do within Starfleet. Characters have seven attributes roughly equivalent to D&D norms, with Wisdom replaced by luck and Psionic potential being added on, mostly for Vulcan crew members. Resolution for actions is percentile based, rolling against difficulty scores or skill ratings. 

An interesting role assignment system and a surprisingly capable tactical starship battle system also feature in this game.

An lightwieght comedy-adjacent RPG that asks the question "What if D&D......but with Chickens?". Stats are minimal and resolution of actions operate around a D2 mechanic. I made a D&D 5E rework for this system that plays a little better without losing too much of the fast fun this game has in it's natural state.

Not a game for the serious roleplayer or tactical game fan, but absolutely a blast with the right group.

"Experience a new and unique fantasy rpg setting in a world without elves, orcs, and dwarves! Or Humans for that matter.

Hatch a character and enter a world of fowl adventure!

Battle the Cult of Cluckthulu!

Confront a Tyrannosaurus!

You may be a chicken, but you aren't a coward!"