By: Avi Wyler

D&D is the only tabletop RPG many people are really aware of. It makes sense, to a point – D&D is by far the most popular and successful RPG out there. But it’s not for everyone. I, personally, have often found myself bored by how combat heavy D&D can be and don’t like how limiting character creation is. Sometimes I wonder how many people would have loved roleplaying if they just knew there were other options. Because there are other options. Like, a lot of other options.

In this article, I’m going to talk about some of the many different options that are out there for role players who are sick of D&D, or maybe they just want to try something new. This isn’t even close to all the RPGs there are though, so if none of these appeal to you, go online and see what you can find. I’m certain there’s something out there that will catch your fancy.

Storytelling RPG

If your favorite part of campaigns has always been crafting a story with your friends, or if you’re someone who loves the idea of weaving your own tales, then RPGs like ‘Microscope’ might be what you’re looking for. Microscope is an RPG with no set characters and no DM; the whole game is built around making a world and story with other people. You start out with an overarching concept and come up with events as you go – playing them out or narrating them with others. ‘Microscope’ gives you a lot of freedom to create the story you and your friends want, and it strongly encourages you to not create your story in chronological order. The game works best with three or four people, but you can play with up to five, or with as few as two.

Powered by the Apocalypse games

Powered by the Apocalypse is an RPG system created by well-known game designers Vincent and Meguey Baker. Along with only using 2d6s, one of the biggest things that I love about Powered by the Apocalypse is the way it handles classes. Classes in Powered by the Apocalypse are heavily tied to the world they come from – you’re given options for things like what you look like, how you dress or where you’re from that connect you to the setting in a really nice way. Some Powered by the Apocalypse games include ‘Monster Hearts’ (you’re a teenager monster dealing with all the struggles that come with being a teenager and a monster), ‘Dungeon World’ (a game very similar to D&D in vibes, if you still like a traditional D&D setting) and ‘Avatar Legends’ (an RPG taking place within the world of ‘Avatar the last Airbender’).

The weird world of tabletop RPGs

While there are a lot of RPGs that allow for a plethora of different stories and settings as created by the players, there are also many that are weird or more specific. Some of these include ‘Velvet Generation’, where you play as an alien trying to destroy the oppressive regime controlling Earth with the power of rock. Or, there’s ‘Lost Souls’, where you play as a lost soul in the afterlife. Or there’s the cozier ‘Teatime Adventures’, which has a beautifully created world and four campaigns to choose from if you don’t want to make your own. From ‘Thirsty Sword Lesbians’ (which is exactly what it sounds like) to ‘Extra Ordinary’ (kids with strange powers finding their way through a world that fears/wants to control them together), RPGs can be and are a whole lot of things.

Even though this was just a fraction of the RPGs that are out there, I hope this article inspired you to get out and find something new to play. Don’t just limit yourself to one way to role play, tell stories or fight monsters, inner and outer. D&D isn’t your only option.