I’ve been getting back into the mood for some solid post-apocalyptic storytelling after replaying The Last of Us. However, my experience with role-playing games is pretty limited; I’ve mostly only played D&D and tried Cyberpunk Red once. I’m curious if anyone can recommend some good RPG systems that really capture that gritty, survival aspect of post-apocalyptic worlds. What are your favorites?
5 Answers
If you’re leaning towards a zombie theme, the **Walking Dead RPG** is a solid pick. It’s well-crafted for that vibe. On the military end, **Twilight 2000** is fantastic for a more tactical approach to post-apocalyptic scenarios.
You should definitely check out **Mutant: Year Zero**. It’s got a mix of brutal combat and survival mechanics with a fun base-building element. It’s crunchy enough to be satisfying but still pretty easy to learn and teach to others!
I totally agree! The Year Zero engine is just so accessible. You get a solid balance of rules without overwhelming complexity.
Don’t sleep on **Legacy: Life Among the Ruins**! It’s unique because you play at both the family level and the individual level, spanning over long time periods. This makes for a really rich narrative experience as your character grows and evolves through the ages!
Exactly! I’ve had a blast with this one. It’s like you’re building a legacy while also living through your character’s adventures.
Such an underrated game! It offers a different perspective than most post-apoc games I’ve seen.
Another classic is **Apocalypse World**. Just keep in mind it’s got some mechanics around relationships that can be divisive among players! If you want something lighter that still captures the feel, maybe check out **Burned Over**, which is a refined edition of AW without some of those mechanics that turn people off.
Yeah, if you’re looking for something less complicated but still engaging, that’s a good tip! I’d just caution about AW; some really love it, and others not so much.
You should also keep an eye on **Ashes Without Number**. It hasn’t dropped yet but looks promising for those interested in a more traditional RPG structure with an apocalyptic twist!
I’m pretty new to RPGs, and these are on my shortlist too! I love that T2K can offer a gritty realism without the weird sci-fi elements.