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View Full Version : I need a free, gimmicky, RPG that I can prepare for in less than 12 hours



YossarianLives
2016-07-02, 11:41 PM
So our group's usual DM had to cancel at the last minute and now I have to step up to the plate and prepare a one-shot, as our group won't be able to play for a while, so we're reluctant to cancel this week's session. So I need an RPG that doesn't take long to prepare for and play. I have enough time to whip up a quick adventure (and I'm decent at improvising) but character creation needs to take 15 minutes or less and it needs to have rules simple enough for us to learn on the spot without having to spend half the session poring over a rulebook.

Since I'm poor as hell and don't have much time, it needs to be free and available online. Something not too serious is preferable, but we're not picky. Any suggestions are more than welcome.

TL;DR:
See the title.

Mutazoia
2016-07-03, 12:04 AM
I usually suggest Teenagers from Outer Space (https://www.scribd.com/doc/21599678/Teenagers-From-Outer-Space) in these circumstances

mabriss lethe
2016-07-03, 12:38 AM
I'm going to vote for RemiNES (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/153751/RemiNES). Short version: It basically emulates old school 8 bit video games as a tabletop RPG. It's simple and a lot of fun.

J-H
2016-07-03, 07:29 AM
Try Drunkens & Flagons (http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=32539).

Fable Wright
2016-07-03, 07:34 AM
I mean, there's always Time Wizards (https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Time_Wizards) if you're going for complete absurdity.

Koo Rehtorb
2016-07-03, 09:51 AM
Dungeon World (http://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/) is pretty light and easy.

Fri
2016-07-03, 10:43 AM
Usually Old School Hack (http://www.oldschoolhack.net/)is my game to go for this kind of thing. Works better if you have paper or dry erase board. Not actually for any grid map, just so you can visualize the area you're playing better (for example, these guys are in the melee range with you, these guys are in ranged weapon range, etc).

JenBurdoo
2016-07-03, 12:31 PM
I've been successfully running Tracy Hickman's XD20 for a while. Building a character takes 60 seconds, and NPCs and monsters take less. The disadvantage is that the GM does ALL the work, but on the other hand you can be as light on your feet as you need to be, and it works with any genre and any sourcebooks. Here's the free variant I use:

http://rpg-tinker.blogspot.com/2014/11/heres-d20-adventure-game.html

For an example of play, read this review:

https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14739.phtml

the_david
2016-07-03, 12:36 PM
Microlite 20 is free, and it's very easy to make characters.

Stan
2016-07-03, 12:41 PM
Usually Old School Hack (http://www.oldschoolhack.net/)is my game to go for this kind of thing.

I've played this before and it's a solid choice. Its concepts are familiar with a new implementation.

Arbane
2016-07-03, 05:24 PM
What is this 'preparation' of which you speak? :smallwink:

Roll For Shoes (http://story-games.com/forums/discussion/11348/microdungeons-i-roll-to-see-if-i-have-shoes-on/).

Faily
2016-07-03, 05:41 PM
High School Harem Comedy (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?290243-High-School-Harem-Comedy-(Game-System-PEACH)) :smallbiggrin:

Bohandas
2016-07-03, 06:55 PM
Look into the work of Greg Costikyan/Designer X. Toon has simple character creation, but it's not free. Violence however is (IIRC) downloadable free (but it contains adult situations and I'm not familiar enough wih the character creation system to say that it's definitely easy though given that the rulebook is only 34 pages long in total how hard could it be?)

EDIT:
He's appatently also got another free game out called "Vector 3" I have no experience with it though

Kane0
2016-07-03, 09:45 PM
Ta-da! (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6uX2PHkX2zBNEZqLU5Rd0hSTWs/view?pref=2&pli=1)

Disclaimer: NSFW

Herobizkit
2016-07-07, 05:33 AM
Lasers and Feelings (http://www.onesevendesign.com/laserfeelings/)

meschlum
2016-07-07, 01:42 PM
Consider Mythender (http://mythenderrpg.com/). It uses piles of d6s for its mechanics, which are otherwise pretty simple to deal with. Even comes with an introductory scenario / rules demo!

Or, for a one-shot, you could do worse than the introductory scenario to Weapons of the Gods (also free). It's fun, reasonably well set up for a quick pick up with minimal prep, and replayable.

Issues with both of the above is that they're fairly tuned to specific numbers of players. Mythender is best for 4-5 people (including the GM). Less is possible, more is difficult. The introductory scenario for WotG is heavily optimized towards exactly 4 players and 1 GM. It's possible to do other numbers, but more work will be involved.