It’s been two years since I first published the list of the 5 Best Summer Role Playing Games, and A LOT of new games have come out since then! So as New York waits out another interminable heat wave (hello heat dome – now does that sound like a wizard’s spell or what?), here are 3 more summer rpgs to get you and your friends through the never-ending summer.
Game:Â Bubblegumeshoe, Evil Hat Games
Why? Re-live your glory days as a kid avoiding adult intervention, and solve mysteries along the way
When I watched Stranger Things with Billy this summer, I knew within just a couple of episodes exactly what system would go best with that story: Bubblegumshoe. You’ll hear Fandible’s first foray into this game soon (and it’s nothing like Stranger Things this first time out. Patience.), but if you’re unfamiliar with it, Bubblegumshoe perfectly emulates the teen detective story. The book has variations that let you tell everything from Encyclopedia Brown to Scooby Doo to Veronica Mars. Like all GUMSHOE games, the focus is on unraveling a mystery, and the book actively dissuades you from engaging in physical combat. If you’re weary of all of the violence in the world this year, Bubblegumshoe is an exciting alternative. It still allows for lots of drama (with the intriguing Throwdown mechanic) while keeping fists down and knives sheathed.
Game: End of the World, Fantasy Flight Games
Why: Summer is the best time for disaster flicks
The last time I put together this list, I included Fantasy Flight’s Warhammer 40K, because you need a summertime replacement for text books. This time I include an FFG game that is almost Warhammer’s total opposite. The End of the World games are thin volumes, with half of the text dedicated to the fairly-light rules system, the latter half detailing five different versions of the apocalypse (and post-apocalypse, should your characters make it that far). Put your terrifyingly average friends in the way of zombies, aliens, or the wrath of Mother Earth, and depending on your group the tone can waver from delightful B movie to gritty horror.
Game: Numenera, Monte Cook Games
Why: Explore strange new worlds and civilizations in a techno-fantasy setting
The Fandible Longshot Numenera campaign has run for several months now, and as we’ve settled into this game for the long haul, I’m delighted at how well its handling four very different characters. This is another game where the focus is on discovery rather than combat (though combat is built into the mechanics). Even though your characters live in the Ninth World, it’s such a strange place there’s always something new to discover. It’s like playing Pokemon Go, only instead of discovering the hidden history of your own backyard at Pokestops, you’re re-discovering the history of eight prior civilizations.
If you’re not playing Pokemon Go when you’re not role playing, you’re totally missing out, btw.
What’s your perfect summer role playing game? Tell us in the comments below!
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I picked up BubbleGumshoe on sale a little while back, and can’t wait to loose my game group on it. They like HighSchool Drama (we’re in the middle of a Monster Hearts run), and I think they would dig something Veronica Mars-y.
Depending how quickly they take to the system/if they take to it at all (We’re Reeeeeal Rules Lite…like a few of them are spooked by Fate); all it needs the Combat system from Black Night’s Agents and it would perfect for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
It’s a little weird, but every summer I get the urge to run or play L5R with a group. Something about samurai and political games seems to light my fire around this time of year.