Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with RPG

should i buy mass effect?

leemajors — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:01:36 -0800

steam has mass effect for $20. is it worth buying and playing now?

Fun with Sword-Carrying Mice

not that girl — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:10:33 -0800

Point me to resources for a beginning Game Master, Mouse Guard specific if possible. My family got the Mouse Guard RPG for Xmas. I played D&D extensively back in the day, but have never run a game, and that will be my role. I am reading through the book and things are very clear, and yet I feel uncertain about how to translate what I'm reading into effective game play. I really want to use this game to show my kids how much fun RPGs can be, so it's important I not be too bad at this. I'd like play to proceed relatively smoothly.

Anyone have any links to resources for beginning GMs that really break it down? Links to "how to GM for Mouse Guard"? Things that really lay it out for the novice?

Your own anecdotes and tips, what-I-wish-I'd-known stories, and so on would be welcome as well.

This feels like a vague question but that just reflects my lack of clarity about how to put the theory into practice.

Should I run a one-off D&D game for a party with (adult) non-players?

mark7570 — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:58:39 -0800

Any suggestions for one-off D&D game for newbies? I'm considering running a D&D game for an upcoming party I'm hosting. Guests and I are all in our mid-to-late 30s and most of us have never played D&D (though I played in my teens).

My question is, does anyone have a suggestion for a one-off D&D campaign that I can run at the party, which would be fun for people who've never played before? Something we could run start to finish in, say, two hours.

Note that this wouldn't be leading on ongoing campaign - this would just be a fun activity we haven't tried before, possibly to go on to other games for the next party.

I have some DM experience so I could do that, though I'd have to go out and buy the materials I'd need... it's been a long time since I had my old D&D manuals around.

BTW, I'm also interested to know if the answer is "don't do it" - i.e., if there just isn't an easy way to run a one-off quick D&D game for new players. I just thought that it might be an interesting game to try for people who've never had the chance to experience D&D.

P.S. I've already seen this and this question on AskMeFi and found them helpful for extra info, albeit for more advanced gamers.

It is time once more to take up the dice

selfnoise — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:27:28 -0800

Looking for a pen and paper RPG, science fiction, certain other specifications required. Some friends and I just got back into playing pen and paper RPGs recently as adults. We've been playing D&D but I have to admit I don't really care for the system or for standard fantasy settings. Since I'm the one who wants to do something different I figure I should volunteer to GM it. So I'm looking for a science fiction themed game with the following:

-Easy to just buy a single book (or set of books for player/GM) and play.
-Fast-paced rules, easy to learn.
-More of a casual action-y game than something with "deep" role playing... I don't think the group is up for that.
-Not D20.
-If I could buy a PDF, that would be double fantastic.

I'm pretty open to themes/worlds; post-apocalyptic, space opera, cyberpunk, whatever. I tend to prefer something that has closer to real-world equipment (rather than Star Wars science fantasy stuff) but I'm flexible on that.

I haven't been interested in these games in a long time and I'm having trouble finding good resources online... and I don't really know that there are any local game shops that really sell anything beyond D&D. So suggestions for either specific games or pointers to resources are much appreciated. Thanks!

PS. Just to be totally clear, I am talking about pen-and-paper games, NOT computer games.

Which video game classics did I miss the last three years?

wolfr — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:05:31 -0800

I intend to make this weekend a gaming weekend. I haven't played video games in a long time. At least not as seriously as I used to. Do you have any suggestions? I have a brand new iMac and an Xbox 360. I do not have a copy of Windows on my Mac yet but could theoretically use Boot Camp to install Windows XP on a partition of the hard drive. So don't feel limited to Mac only games svp.

In the past my favorite games have been Baldurs Gate II, Arcanum, Battlefield 1942, Deus Ex and Tony Hawk II.

I was addicted to World of a Warcraft for a while. I like stories and character progression. I like games with original themes (e.g. Psychonauts).

It seems like the only games I've played the last year or two years have been: Grand Theft Auto IV, Bioshock, Fallout 3, Skate, Soul Calibur IV. All on the Xbox. All of them very casually, although I did end up finishing all except Bioshock (which was good, but not relaxing, with all the dark rooms and scary things).

I am downloading the free 2 week trial of Eve Online right now, but I'd rather not get crazy about an MMORPG anymore. While my time in the World of Warcraft was wonderful, the whole game remains a slot machine with a nice interface.

No racing and sports please with the exception of snowboard/skateboard.

Who has suggestions for me?

One-Night Dungeon

The otter lady — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:26:01 -0800

I need a good idea for a one-night D&D game! I would like to be able to run a fun, well-plotted, and varied, but short, D&D scenario, that could be played start-to-finish in one session of several hours. Something I could use to introduce new people to the concept of RPGs, or just run as a pick-up game some evening. Ideally it would be a scenario even playable by just one person.

It should have a mixture of things; talking to NPCs, doing some problem-solving, some skill use, and some combat. And it would be great if there were several different ways to play through it; a stealthy character could sneak around through things, a brute could bash his way along, etc. A clever 'twist' is always good! Something more interesting than "Go into this cave and kill the kobolds" I can adapt other rules systems, it doesn't have to be D&D. A published module, with maps and stuff, would be great, but if you remember playing something like this and just give me a summary of the story and the unfolding plot, I can add the paperwork! Thanks for any help!

PC strategies/role-playing games for a teenager?

noztran — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:59:26 -0800

Could anyone please help me come up with a list of PC games? Some time ago I presented my niece with Battle for Wesnoth. She loved it. Some time earlier she used to be a devout fan of SimCity and the Neverhood. I'm also guessing she's not a Civilization-type.

Now I'm looking for something else. These strictly need to run on a fairly unimpressive Windows XP PC and they need to be playable without Internet (in other words, World of Warcraft is thereby disqualified). I've shown her Warcraft III and she was unimpressed.

So far, I've come up with: Neverwinter Nights (not the online one), Baldur's Gate (although I am hesitant about this one since it relies on dialogue so heavily) and Icewind Dale. Maybe one of the versions of Settlers.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

Help find a matching D20!

kavasa — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:54:28 -0800

My boyfriend has been looking for a while to find a D20 to match the rest of his dice. You can see a picture of the matchy ones and the offending, not-quite-matchy 20 here. When we first got the set he just picked them all out of a little jar on the store counter. When he asked about getting a matching 20, the lady working there said Chessex wasn't making them any more. We've of course done some looking around on the 'net, but without even knowing the name of the style, it's been tough. Thanks!

Help me plan a D&D Campaign

Philby — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:24:58 -0800

Dungeon Masters: Help me start planning and preparing a Dungeons and Dragons campaign for a group of seasoned players who've been a while between rolls of the dice... After many long years hiatus, at last I get to DM a D&D (3.5 edition) game again... oh crafty, masterful dungeon masters- how do you go about planning and preparing a campaign for your players? How do you put it all together, come up with episodes in a grand arc of story? And can you recommend any good online resources for dungeon mastering? Any hints, tips, departure points, inspiration very much appreciated. Any ideas on how to be the best dungeon master i can be would be grand, too!

I have the big idea for the campaign in mind... it's fleshing it out and breaking it into segments that i'd like help with. Thanks!

How do I extensively, safely mod D&D?

neewom — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:28:01 -0800

I am attempting to create a new D&D-based RPG, using a lot of non-standard races and rules. Help? Specifically, I was challenged to create a magic-heavy world that combined elements from Neverwhere, Discworld, and Harry Potter. We will be using v3.5 to start, and half of the crew dislike GURPS.

I'm aware of many D&D-universe flexibilities when it comes to types of campaigns and campaign settings, but I am hoping to modify the rules for certain races, encounters and some mechanics.

While I do have a solid grasp of the playable races from these various universes, the problem is that I am still relatively new to the world of RPG's and D&D in particular, and I know nothing about potential restrictions beyond what's already in the PHB.

Are there any sources available that will help me work out the changes to game and character mechanics without me hopelessly crippling the game? Tips, things to avoid?

How to put on robe and wizard hat?

Hlewagast — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:45:30 -0800

What should I expect at a Dungeons & Dragons game session? I haven't been exposed to Dungeons & Dragons since I dabbled with it 15+ years ago, yet I'm attending a D&D game session tomorrow evening with a bunch of strangers who are regular RPG-ers.

I'm familiar with the basic concepts of D&D, but don't want to be the non-gamer bozo who diminishes the enjoyment of the other players. Anything I should do to prepare? I'm told pre-made characters will be available and it's fourth edition, if it matters.

Dice games with other than d6 dice?

hpliferaft — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:12:52 -0800

I just picked up a rare d5 and d7 to augment my rpg dice collection. I want to use them, but for more than just table-top rpgs. Are there any dice games that are played with more than just d6 dice?

What's the REAL Final Fantasy Tactics 2?

explosion — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:44:15 -0800

What games are like Final Fantasy Tactics? I've enjoyed playing Final Fantasy Tactics to an absurd degree, playing it through at least 5 times, including the side quests. I just can't seem to find another game that engrosses me in the same way. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was too simple and the storyline was boring, to the point where I don't want to play FFTA2. Nippon Ichi's offerings like Makai Kingdom seemed like a grind-fest, where you easily beat a level, or else lose terribly, until you level up a few times, and then easily win.

Final Fantasy Tactics was (and is) great, a real challenge and tons of fun (excepting the absurdity of Orlandu and the Calculator class, of course), but I can't seem to find a spiritual successor to this 11-year-old game. Can you recommend any similar games that have come out in the past 2-4 years?

Bonus points if it's on Wii, Xbox 360, DS, or PS2. No game is good enough that I can afford to buy a PS3 or PSP right now.

Baby shower gift for D&D player?

seasparrow — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:41:30 -0800

Help! Clueless dorks need to come up with a baby shower gift for our Dungeon Master. My web fu is failing me. Here's hoping the Hive can help.

I'm looking for a Dungeons and Dragons style or similar gift for a baby shower. It seems like there must be something like a little infant's shirt with a d20 on it, but I can't seem to find it.

It really needs to be a D&D or RPG themed gift-- this is for our Dungeon Master for a regular campaign that has been meeting for a while. It will be a gift from the group to the DM. The gift should be for a baby, and it would be nice if it was fairly inexpensive.

I'd be super grateful for any suggestions at all... After checking sites like ThinkGeek I'm still at a loss.

Help me get my d20 on.

dirtynumbangelboy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:54:45 -0800

RPG filter: Where can I hook up with RPG gamers (that is to say the proper sort: pencils and paper and dice and too much Mountain Dew) in Toronto? I'm looking for AD&D preferably, Rifts as a distant second choice.

Obviously Deus Ex 2 and 3 are out...

Artw — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:50:11 -0800

What recent(ish) games offer a Deus Ex like experience?

What should a new rpg adventure writer expect in regards to the contract?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:17:06 -0800

What should I be paid for writing an adventure for a rpg system? Against all logic, I've been approached by a reputable make of role playing games to write an adventure for one of their new game systems.

This is against all logic because my last experience with playing pencil and paper RPGs was probably over ten years ago. And, also, because I don't have anything even slightly resembling a track record.

That aside, they've approached me, I'm interested and, at some point, I imagine they'll be wanting to offer me a contract.

So, my question is, in essence, what should I expect to be paid? Also, should I expect to maintain any ownership of the characters or stories in the adventure? And should I expect royalties on this or are these sorts of things strictly work for hire? If I write before they get me a contract, do I get to set my own terms?

Basically, I have no idea what I'm getting into and my contact - an otherwise very friendly sounding bloke - sort of hemmed and hawed when I started asking these questions. I need to stress, the company has, as near as I can tell, a proven history of success.

Anyhow, basically, I need some decent "newbie RPG adventure author" sort of advice. Help?

How do I turn Space: 1889 into Space: 1914?

Kattullus — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:27:59 -0800

I came across my old Space: 1889 books in my parents' basement over the holidays and took them back with me to the US. I'm considering starting a campaign in that universe, but set during the War of 1914-18. Considering the different history and technology how do progress the setting into a Great War like scenario that's both true to the Space: 1889 universe as well as the real First World War? What especially concerns me is to construct a plausible history that leads to a Great War without altering the Space: 1889 setting while still incorporating these real world facts:

the spread of communism and other important ideologies (nationalist movements, first wave feminism etc.)
real world technological progress (wireless, airplanes, x-rays, etc.)
trench warfare

& every other important historical factor which I'm forgetting.

Facets of the Space: 1889 which might be hard to plausibly incorporate into a Great War type scenario:

liftwood
ether flyers
more land to colonize (European powers (and the US and Japan) not limited to Earth, but can colonize the inner planets)

The history and new setting don't have to be minutely detailed (that's what GMs are for, after all) but I want it to be plausible enough so that the players don't fall into disbelief too readily.

Retro Gaming Yen

mkb — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:48:51 -0800

I feel like I missed out by never playing any of the non-online Ultima games. How do I play them now? I have a PS2, a PowerBook G4, and a ThinkPad. Will I be able to play them somehow? Is an emulator the only way?

RPG Recommendations

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:01:47 -0800

Looking for some decent PC RPGs that a) don't involve playing with other people online and b) don't resemble Dungeons & Dragons, WoW, and so forth. I have plenty of disc space and RAM, and my graphics card is great, so the size of the game isn't particularly a concern. I'd like to branch out beyond shooters and into a PC (read: not console) roleplaying game that I can play offline (or at least doesn't involve playing with others online) and does anything besides resemble WoW. Especially if the game involves critical thinking, logic puzzles, and a fair amount of exploration.

I thank you ahead of time.

RPG's for the SNES?

Solomon — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:36:28 -0800

I loved Legend of Zelda on the SNES. I loved Secret of Mana on the SNES. What other RPG's for the SNES might I like? I like: getting power ups, new weapons (especially magic), a nice long game/quest to go on.

I dislike: games where it isn't obvious what you need to do next & war type games that involve lots of battling and little questing.

Any ideas?

I am such a noob

MrVisible — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:56:12 -0800

How do I get better at first-person shooters on the Xbox360? I've never been into the FPS genre. I like RPGs and various third-person games for the most part, and I'm most used to a computer interface as opposed to a console gamepad.

But the Xbox360 is a beautiful machine, and the line between FPS and RPG has been erased by titles like Mass Effect and Oblivion and Bioshock. The problem is that these games assume that you're pretty familiar with the FPS interface, and because of the structure of the game you don't get much time to practice.

Are there any games out there that include a pretty good training area or an opportunity to learn the two-stick control system before dumping you into situations where your skill with the system is the only thing keeping all your NPC buddies from getting fragged? I'm not looking to be uber-1337 at Halo3, but it'd be great to not have to re-do every fight scene in Mass Effect five times before moving on with the plot.

Thanks!

Pointless RPG

degoao — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:47:01 -0800

What was the name of the humerous interaction-free RPG I saw a few years ago? I might have even seen it posted or mentioned on Metafilter, but I had no luck searching for it.

There is no interaction in the game. You just create a character, and it plays itself. As well, the race/class combinations were pretty funny as well. Aggh, it's driving me crazy, because I can almost remember the name!

Better games than D&D?

Durn Bronzefist — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:23:33 -0800

What RPGs are there that are better than D&D? Hey all,

There's been a ton of commentary on the web since the death of Gygax about D&D, and much of this ends up in squabbles (or at least debate) about whether or not the game really is any good, and what's better.

Well, what's better? And why do you love it? (and likewise, any drawbacks?)

I've played and loved D&D, Top Secret, and Champions. I've liked what I've seen of Ars Magica and Paranoia. I want to get a group together again, and D&D tends to be easiest because everyone knows it. But if there were more worthwhile systems out there, that'd be worth picking up the materials and having a bit of a harder go finding players, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks!

Name some playable RPG's, please

Solomon — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:02:48 -0800

Please recommend some 2D RPG's I can play on my PC. I absolutely loved Legend of Zelda on the original Gameboy. I also absolutely loved it on the SNES. I hated it on the N64 it because it was 3D, and my brain is apparently incapable of dealing with 3D rendering. I managed about 20 minutes of jumping round the screen before I turned it off, never to play it again, because I couldn't work out where I was in relation to everything else. I do occasionally dig the SNES out of storage, and play LoZ again. I also really liked Secret of Mana.

What are some other similar 2D games I might like? Things I'm looking for especially are playability, power-ups, characterisation, etc. Going on some kind of quest would be cool. Graphics aren't important at all, as long as I can tell the player from the enemy. Single player would be best.

I'd prefer to be able to play them offline, but online is cool too. I've trying Googling free games, but there's so much chaff out there, it's hard to separate the wheat. I'm running XP, if that's relevant. I'm prepared to pay for a game, if it's worth it.