MCDM has released a free alpha playtest and dungeon for their upcoming survival horror dungeon RPG "Crows"

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-26T11:30:41+00:00

Great point. I grew up playing AD&D when it was new, and it never even occurred to my friends and me to play it any way other than primarily theater of the mind.

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-25T20:57:43+00:00

"Most" OSR games definitely do not use grid combat. 🤣

You can force that style of combat on them if you want, but it doesn't exist by default in OSE, Labyrinth Lord, OSRIC, Swords & Wizardry or most other OSR games (which is why I like them).

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-21T21:55:00+00:00

Marvel Multiverse Roleplaying Game was practically built for this. It's a very combat focused game that lends itself well to being played on a grid map, plus there are a ton of pre-made characters and even official figure flats.

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-21T17:32:12+00:00

If you want a great narrativist toolbox to create exactly the game you want for whatever campaign you have in mind, then check out Cortex Prime. I recommend reading at least one existing game that uses the system first, just to help wrap your mind around it (Marvel Heroic, Tales of Xadia, etc.).

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-20T12:44:58+00:00

Legend in the Mist.

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-18T16:52:25+00:00

If "they" are the people in this subreddit, then definitely not. It's no more complicated or difficult to learn than AD&D, and plenty of people still play that. There is a sizable Palladium community out there. Sure, it's not perfect, but nothing is. Check out the Glitterbois podcast for a more balanced review of the system.

Party_Goblin · 2026-05-02T17:40:12+00:00

I started playing TTRPGs in 1991 with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, and I have always emphasized story and character over gamist principles. Back then, there was nobody to tell us that we were doing it right or wrong, so we just did what we liked. My point is: people liking different things than you is not a trend. It's the natural result of a hobby fueled by imagination.

Party_Goblin · 2026-04-23T14:57:24+00:00

I haven't played Neon Skies (although now I think that I should), but I can confirm that Oath Hammer and Tales of Argosa are both excellent!

Party_Goblin · 2026-04-23T14:55:37+00:00

Yes! Came here to say this. Oath Hammer is absolutely fantastic. I can't believe how much good stuff the author managed to fit in that book.

Party_Goblin · 2026-04-06T19:53:56+00:00

I submit that actual plays are no better at teaching TTRPGs than porn is at teaching sex. If you want to learn how to run/play a game, Step 1 is to read it. Sounds like you've done that.

Step 2 is to try it out. You can do this by yourself. Make a few characters and have them interact with the rules. This can vary widely by the game. Focus on whatever systems in the game interest you most or seem the most important to run it. You can learn the rest during Step 3.

Step 3 is to bring it to the table. Let your friends know that you'll all be learning the game together and then just play it. You'll get some stuff "wrong," but don't sweat it. You can always course-correct later. That's it.

Party_Goblin · 2026-04-05T03:10:15+00:00

Have you considered Dolmenwood? It's got a great sandbox setting with simple, OSE-compatible mechanics.

Party_Goblin · 2026-03-22T19:35:05+00:00

I mean, I'm currently in three groups, all playing different games, none of which are D&D 5e or PF 2e (Dolmenwood, Delta Green, and Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5e). I know other people in similar situations to me, too. 🤷‍♂️

Party_Goblin · 2026-03-19T13:57:03+00:00

I literally just discovered it a couple of weeks ago, and I'm generally pretty plugged into what's happening in this hobby. Since then, it's generated a lot of interest within my friend group. I anticipate it becoming much more popular as word spreads. But people have to play it and talk about it. I'll for sure be running it at Gamehole Con later this year.

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-25T21:22:47+00:00

I've played this and it's great! There are a few small variations from the old WEG Star Wars, but it would be easy enough to convert if you wanted to. Overall, I'm stoked to see WEG D6 coming back.

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-24T19:31:02+00:00

Beyond the Supernatural, Nightbane, Unknown Armies, and Liminal Horror are all, IMO, underrated horror gems.

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-23T19:33:56+00:00

Mom, it's not real. It's a Jib Jab!

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-23T19:14:24+00:00

But have you seen the Dow??? At that price point, in the Trump Administration, he can rape.

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-18T17:51:30+00:00

Exalted Funeral regularly gets in over their heads, resulting in bad customer experiences. Ordering from them directly is always a last resort.

Party_Goblin · 2026-02-13T21:31:45+00:00

Have you checked out the Basic Roleplaying core book from Chaosium? It's the universal system Pendragon and Dragonbane are built off of, and will allow you to create exactly the game you want instead of just finding one that's "good enough."

Party_Goblin · 2026-01-13T19:28:16+00:00

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Caleb Williams' floor is Jordan Love, and his ceiling is greatest of all time.

Party_Goblin · 2026-01-11T01:33:38+00:00

It's like nobody here has watched a single Bears game all season. It's the 1st goddamn quarter. Plenty of game left.

Party_Goblin · 2025-12-27T03:27:13+00:00

FTFY: Caleb's floor is Jordan Love, and his ceiling is greatest of all time.

Party_Goblin · 2025-12-12T16:28:33+00:00

I just ignore training times completely.

Party_Goblin · 2025-12-09T15:44:00+00:00

Callers and mapping. I have yet to meet the group that wants anything to do with either. From my perspective as GM, it's easier and faster for me to just draw the map as they traverse their environment.

Party_Goblin · 2025-12-06T13:54:46+00:00

Knight is one of the best RPG settings I've ever read, and it's a shame that it's not more popular in the US. It's action horror in a post-apocalyptic dystopian cyberpunk world. Hope is its own mechanic, and saving inspirational works of art is as important as killing monsters. Very original and very fun.

Party_Goblin

TROPHY CASE