Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with RPGs

Help me find easy tactical RPGs!

MostHolyPorcine — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:33:17 -0800

Help me learn to appreciate and have fun with tactical RPGs! I love RPGs. Can't get get enough of 'em...JRPGs, western RPGs, action RPGs, all great stuff. But for the life of me, I just can't get into a tactical or strategy RPG. I've tried Final Fantasy Tactics and a few others, but I always find myself so overwhelmed by the complexity of the whole thing and the snail's pace that I never make it past the first battle or two.

I want to learn to like them, though, since it seems like most new console RPGS are tactical, and they're all getting freaky good reviews....so where is a good place to start? Are there any "My First TRPGs" out there? Something with dumbed down rules and faster paced battles, with a low frustration threshold...Where's a good place to start before I graduate to the big leagues of FFT and the like?

I have a PS2, DSi (so no GBA, unfortunately. Stupid purchase on my part), and a 360.

Thanks!

Your favorite obscure games

hpliferaft — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:18:40 -0800

What are your favorite obscure games? Video games, table-top, rpg books, or even family games;
obscure, slept-on, ephemeral; idiosyncratic;
I want to know more about them.

Why were they so fun? Why didn't they find a bigger audience?
Did they break new gaming ground?
Can they still be purchased (if that's applicable)?
Have they been replaced with modern versions?

Non Western Pen & Paper RPGs?

empath — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:36:29 -0800

What are some of the best Non-Western Pencil & Paper RPGs? I'm interested in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese games, but I'm especially interested in games that originated in India, Africa or the Middle East, if there are any, and ones that have unique settings (ie, not warmed-over D&D/Tolkien).

Calling all board game geeks.

Telf — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:44:19 -0800

I have a hankering for some old school dorky fun, but neither me nore my nerd circle of friends really have the time to spend on a D&D or Warhammer binge. I've been eyeballing a few games over at http://www.boardgamegeek.com. I wanted to see if anyone could steer me in the right direction. My friends and I used to do RPG/Table Top gaming back in the day. Since we all have more or less real lives now, we can't devote the same amount of time to gaming as we used to.

I was hoping to find a self contained, relatively quick fantasy/sci-fi interactive gaming experience. By quick I mean something that can be finished in one night, as opposed to a D&D campaign that could take weeks to prepare and complete.

I don't even want to think about any MMORPGs, we want real face to face casual interaction, where we can drink and chat as we play.

I've found a few games that look interesting. Most specifically I was looking at Descent: Journeys in the Dark, Heroscape, and Twighlight Imperium. I know that they're different games, but they look pretty easy to set up and would definitely interest my friends. I really want to to stick with a fantasy or sci-fi setting with lots of action.

I tried to get my friends to play Settlers of Cattan, but the resource trading and colonial settlement theme really turned them off.

What do you guys recommend? I want a fun game with good atmosphere. Presentation is kind of important, nice packaging/figurines would help me promote some interest amongst my friends.

I don't have a problem with complexity, but there might be some girlfriends involved. While they're open to giving games a shot, too much number crunching might turn them off. At the same time, something a few notches beyond Risk would be welcome.

I want to avoid the obligation of buying mutiple sets, expansions, boosters, supplements or figurines. I don't mind throwing down a good chunk of money initially, but I want to avoid a full on hobby.

Thanks.