Episode 272: Straight Modern RPGs, Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene

·38 min·3 clips

A husband asks how to get his wife into RPGs when she rejects fantasy and sci-fi, leaving the hosts stumped.

The episode begins with Saul and Jolene discussing a listener's query: his wife wants to join the RPG hobby but dislikes fantasy and sci-fi, seeking a purely modern game with no supernatural elements. They express initial skepticism, noting the dominance of fantasy and sci-fi in RPGs. Saul suggests the wife might be intimidated by those genres and prefers relatable settings like spies or detectives. He introduces generic systems like Savage Worlds and GURPS, explaining they are designed for multiple genres but require removing inappropriate skills for modern play. Jolene mentions W-O-I-N as another generic dice-pool system, highlighting its publisher E-N Publishing's efficient Kickstarter practices. They then delve into specific modern RPGs, starting with Covert Ops, a D100 Lite system based on Basic Role Playing, ideal for special operations missions. Saul describes Ghost Ops, which uses Fate Fudge Dice for resolution and focuses on global special forces. He recommends Special Agency, a Spanish-import detective game with a pure modern setting and no fantastical elements, praising its translation and adventure content. Jolene brings up Spirit of 77, a 1970s-themed game powered by Apocalypse World, offering an easy-to-learn system for cops and criminals. The hosts also reference older options like D20 Modern and its successor Spycraft, noting their complexity, and introduce Everyday Heroes, a recent 5th edition-based modern RPG with movie tie-ins. They discuss a lawsuit involving Evil Genius Games and Rebel Moon, illustrating industry challenges. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of understanding player preferences, such as whether the wife wants to play a spy, detective, or special forces operative, and recommend asking about favorite TV shows or movies to guide game selection. The episode wraps with encouragement to explore the many available modern RPGs, stressing that system comfort and setting alignment are key to a successful gaming experience.

As heard by us

A clear, practical look at choosing modern tabletop role-playing when fantasy and science fiction are out.

Modern role-playing can sound oddly narrow when both fantasy and science fiction are ruled out, but this reviewable discussion keeps the question grounded: what kind of contemporary story does the player actually want?

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want to bring a fantasy-averse partner into tabletop RPGs without making dragons mandatory?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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