This article is the first in what I hope will be an ongoing series I’m calling “The Top 5.” My goal is to curate Top 5 lists relating to tabletop gaming for your enjoyment and intellectual nourishment. Hope you enjoy!
This week, I’m talking about my top 5 picks for franchises that deserve an official tabletop RPG, whether for the first time or as a reboot. Were I writing this article only a few years ago, this list would probably be quite a bit different. That’s because during today’s ongoing renaissance of role-playing games, every franchise under the sun is getting its own RPG. For example, one item that would otherwise be on my list is Dune, which flirted briefly with role-playing in 2000, but is now getting a proper RPG treatment with the upcoming release of the 2d20 game from Modiphius. Likewise, other big franchises such as Alien, Conan, and Star Trek have all had RPGs released in the last few years. However, there are still many franchises that have not been as lucky as the ones previously mentioned. So, without further ado:
5. Mass Effect
There’s no doubt about it – the Mass Effect series has all the necessary ingredients for an incredible sci-fi RPG: imaginative species and archetypes to serve as the basis for PCs; plenty of factions and organizations to create conflict, drama, and intrigue; and of course, a galaxy-sprawling sci-fi setting that gives any group plenty of space (see what I did there?) to develop their own narratives and plots. The fact that the focus of the original trilogy revolves around the SPECTRE (SPECial Tactics and REconnaissance) organization, which acts as a sort of galactic MI:6, already provides a perfect setup for an RPG party. Granted, there have been multiple fanmade systems and hacks for the Mass Effect setting (do a quick search and you’ll find a selection), but no fanmade game can compare to the production quality, publishing capacity, and extensive playtesting of an official RPG.
4. Final Fantasy
Almost universally-recognized as the greatest video game RPG series of all time, fans have been salivating for decades over the thought of being able to get their hands on a Final Fantasy tabletop RPG. Of course, the franchise has plenty of inherent challenges that might make it a difficult sell to most companies. For one thing, Square Enix seems to be doing just fine with their video games; why invest time and money sailing into heretofore uncharted waters (and much smaller waters, at that) when they can just cruise along their familiar seas without risk? Even setting aside economic concerns, another potential snag is that the franchise has no dedicated setting – despite some common elements shared between each, with every new Roman numeral comes a completely new set of characters and locations. So where would it take place? Would it be an original setting specifically for the game, or perhaps sourcebooks published for each of the games? Now that I’ve crushed your idealistic hopes and dreams, I will say that I, for one, think that an FF tabletop game would be fan-friggin-tastic! Between the franchise’s well-established races, classes, magitech – and let’s not forget Chocobo mounts – there’s a lot of potential for a tabletop game that hits a sweet spot for lovers of both fantasy and sci-fi games.
3. The Elder Scrolls
The Elder Scrolls is an incredibly popular video game franchise, and for good reason; it has rich lore, a well-developed setting, and all the trappings of fantasy adventures that we all know and love. There is certainly no lack of fanmade hacks to play in the fantastic world of Tamriel, which bodes well for customer base projection figures. Imagine carrying out assassinations with the Blades, fighting Deidra, and Fus-Ro-Dahing your way through Skyrim – all within a single campaign! Not to mention that, with the incredible amount of lore and setting info, the game could easily have new sourcebooks and products to offer for years without fail. This one just seems like a no-brainer to me!
2. Harry Potter
The first franchise on my list that isn’t primarily digital, the fact that J.K. Rowling won’t greenlight an official tabletop RPG for the series is, in my opinion, one of the greatest tabletop tragedies of all time. Many of us grew up with Harry and the magical school of Hogwarts, and have had countless imaginary adventures in the wizarding world. There are so many different angles a Harry Potter RPG could take, too! You could play as a Hogwarts student, a professional adult witch/wizard, or even play out the First Wizarding War in an epic campaign. Between the incredible amount of lore in the series and the expansive setting, Harry Potter would make a brilliant game if ever Rowling et al. had a bit more vision. Until then, consider treating yourself to a fantastic Harry Potter hack for Genesys from d20 Radio’s own GM Chris!
1. Marvel
Last, but not least, is the only franchise on this list that has had previous RPG treatments, including TSR’s Marvel Super Heroes in the ’80s and MWP’s Marvel Heroic Roleplaying in ’00s. Marvel needs an RPG reboot almost as much as it needs decent standalone Hulk film – which is saying a lot. What really blows my mind about this one is how beloved and successful previous Marvel tabletop games have been, and the fact that the last 10-12 years would have been the perfect time to capitalize on the greatest superhero franchise of all time. Seriously, why haven’t they cranked the lever on this one?! Discussions of good business sense aside, has anyone who grew up in the last half-century or so not played make-believe as a superhero at least once? A Marvel RPG could easily support both existing characters and newly-devised ones as PCs, granting each player the ability to play out their greatest superpowered fantasies (seriously, why isn’t there a new Marvel TTRPG out yet, damnit?!). I could go on and on talking about super-villains, powers, and supergroups would inevitably feature in a new Marvel game, but I think you’ve already got the picture. Excelsior!
That’s it for my first Top 5. Even if you didn’t agree with all of my choices, I hope it at least gave you some food for thought. Speaking of which, I’d love to hear which franchises are on your Top 5 wishlist for new tabletop RPGs. Let me know in the comments below!
Do you have thoughts or questions about the article or suggestions for future content? Leave a comment below or drop me a line at jtdimino@d20radio.com.
J.T. Dimino
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