With the chill now in the air and Halloween approaching, I'm interested in finding a good horror RPG. Any recommendations for games that work well for solo play? Bonus points if they lean more towards atmosphere than action.
Sharp Swords & Sinister Spells gives off a macabre / occult vibe, but there's no setting. There are, however, several generators useful for soloing! I'm curious about Lamentations of the Flame Princess as well, currently offered as a Bundle of Holding, but all I know is that it's "weird fantasy" and OSR.
Solo Horror has been the bane of my Solo RPG Existence. While I've successfully ran, & enjoyed, horror themed games like a "monster of the week" /"Supernatural" style MiniSix game, or even teen monster drama romance a la "Monsterhearts", I've never really found a way of running the type of Solo Horror thing I want. However, that has less to do with the SYSTEM, & more with the limitations of Solo RPG'ing in general.
That said, "Cryptworld" is a great "generic" horror re-implementation of classic Pacesetter "Chill". "Silent Legions" is another great system for "build your own Mythos" in the Lovecraftian vein. "Ghoststories" from Precis Media is a nice looking supernatural themed game I've bought & looked over, but haven't played. "Fear Itself " (Gumshoe system) is another, for more Surreal horror.
I could name quite a few more. All depends on what you're in the mood for.
Oh, & since you mentioned a journal type thing, there is also the expansion for "Quill" that takes on Lovecraft: "Shadow & Ink". There is also the freeform letter writing RPG "De Profundus".
Yeah, a big part of horror is mystery, which seems harder to pull off in solo gaming. Cryptworld/Chill is on my list of things to check out, but it sounds a little on the cheesy side? Anyway, great tips, I'll check the others out!
Gajus Miknaitis I wouldn't say "Chill/"Cryptworld" is cheesy. It does emulate a certain flavor/feel of horror though: cinematic. Everything from Hammer classic horror of the 60's to 80's style Slashers & so on.
If you want something grittier/darker, I would probably look elsewhere. Besides some of the others I mentioned, "Kult" or "Noctum" are two more that come to mind.
Thanks for the additional tips, everyone! I have checked out Cthulhu Dark and it looks great for what it is. While I like Lovecraft just fine, I have to admit that I'm a little tired of the near-obsession with the Mythos when it comes to horror RPGs.
Another game that I thought I should mention, which gets a fair amount of love, is more narrative & story driven, & designed as sort of an open toolkit is "Dead of Night" from Steampower Publishing.
Yep, downloaded "Dead of Night" a day or two ago. Haven't finished reading it yet , but it seems excellent. I'm not sure how I feel about its suitability for solo play though.
I suggest Lovecraft's Revenge by Two Hour Wargames. It's designed for solo play and creates a fun narrative. It's my favorite solo RPG. I posted a couple of my stories on the Two Wargames Forum.
This one by Scott Malthouse is expected before Halloween :-)
ReplyDeletetrollishdelver.com - English Eerie
Oh awesome. I'd actually been thinking along the lines of something journal-based already.
ReplyDeleteSharp Swords & Sinister Spells gives off a macabre / occult vibe, but there's no setting. There are, however, several generators useful for soloing! I'm curious about Lamentations of the Flame Princess as well, currently offered as a Bundle of Holding, but all I know is that it's "weird fantasy" and OSR.
ReplyDeleteCthulhu Hack looks simple but good.
ReplyDelete📌
ReplyDeleteSolo Horror has been the bane of my Solo RPG Existence. While I've successfully ran, & enjoyed, horror themed games like a "monster of the week" /"Supernatural" style MiniSix game, or even teen monster drama romance a la "Monsterhearts", I've never really found a way of running the type of Solo Horror thing I want. However, that has less to do with the SYSTEM, & more with the limitations of Solo RPG'ing in general.
ReplyDeleteThat said, "Cryptworld" is a great "generic" horror re-implementation of classic Pacesetter "Chill". "Silent Legions" is another great system for "build your own Mythos" in the Lovecraftian vein. "Ghoststories" from Precis Media is a nice looking supernatural themed game I've bought & looked over, but haven't played. "Fear Itself " (Gumshoe system) is another, for more Surreal horror.
I could name quite a few more. All depends on what you're in the mood for.
#SoloHorrorRPG
Oh, & since you mentioned a journal type thing, there is also the expansion for "Quill" that takes on Lovecraft: "Shadow & Ink". There is also the freeform letter writing RPG "De Profundus".
ReplyDeleteYeah, a big part of horror is mystery, which seems harder to pull off in solo gaming. Cryptworld/Chill is on my list of things to check out, but it sounds a little on the cheesy side? Anyway, great tips, I'll check the others out!
ReplyDeleteGajus Miknaitis I wouldn't say "Chill/"Cryptworld" is cheesy. It does emulate a certain flavor/feel of horror though: cinematic. Everything from Hammer classic horror of the 60's to 80's style Slashers & so on.
ReplyDeleteIf you want something grittier/darker, I would probably look elsewhere. Besides some of the others I mentioned, "Kult" or "Noctum" are two more that come to mind.
Have a serious look at Cthulhu Dark. Rules light but currently my favourite for playing mythos horror.
ReplyDeletethis is in my to-do list, it's original, solo, horror, free : 1km1kt.net - www.1km1kt.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Swords-of-the-SkullTakers.pdf
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional tips, everyone! I have checked out Cthulhu Dark and it looks great for what it is. While I like Lovecraft just fine, I have to admit that I'm a little tired of the near-obsession with the Mythos when it comes to horror RPGs.
ReplyDeleteI didn't check out the zine, but thought I'd point it out
ReplyDeleteplus.google.com - I am happy to announce that the first issue of Dark Times is finally availab...
Another game that I thought I should mention, which gets a fair amount of love, is more narrative & story driven, & designed as sort of an open toolkit is "Dead of Night" from Steampower Publishing.
ReplyDeleteYep, downloaded "Dead of Night" a day or two ago. Haven't finished reading it yet , but it seems excellent. I'm not sure how I feel about its suitability for solo play though.
ReplyDeleteI suggest Lovecraft's Revenge by Two Hour Wargames. It's designed for solo play and creates a fun narrative. It's my favorite solo RPG. I posted a couple of my stories on the Two Wargames Forum.
ReplyDelete