Best tabletop RPGs 2024: Must-have adventures you need to try

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A selection of lifestyle images showing four of the best tabletop RPGs in use

(Image credit: Future / Wizards of the Coast / Paizo)

1. The quick list
2.
Best overall
3. Best for beginners
4. Best fantasy
5. Best sci-fi
6. Best crime
7. Best horror
8. How we test
9. How to choose
10. FAQ

If you want to try some of the best tabletop RPGs or find something new that you can play with your existing party, you've timed it well. The hobby is in the middle of a fierce comeback thanks to popular shows like Stranger Things and Critical Role, not to mention the most recent Baldur's Gate video game that cleaned up awards last year. And fortunately enough for us, these pen-and-paper worlds are easier to get into than ever.

To help save you time, our experts (who've been playing and writing about the best tabletop RPGs for years) have rounded up their favorites here. Regardless of whether you're TTRPG-curious and haven't played before or are a veteran with decades of experience, you should find something to suit you below. And if you're not sure, take a look at our advice on how to choose the right tabletop RPG for you.

That's because we've been hands-on with all of the tabletop RPGs listed on this page. As we mention in the 'how we test' section later on, our writers and editors will only ever recommend something that they've played themselves - if they don't love it, it's not getting into the guide.

Written by
Benjamin Abbott, Tabletop & Merch Editor at GamesRadar
Written by
Benjamin Abbott

Benjamin's been writing about tabletop RPGs professionally for over four years, and has been running games for almost as long.

Best tabletop RPGs - quick list

Want to start rolling dice as quickly as possible? No problem - here's a quick rundown of all the best tabletop RPGs. To find out more, simply click on the link below each entry.

Best tabletop RPG overall

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit book and dice

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
The latest and best version of the world's biggest TRPG

Specifications

Genre: Fantasy
Complexity: Moderate

Reasons to buy

+
Simple rules and character creation
+
Tons of official expansions
+
Relatively easy to find groups

Reasons to avoid

-
A lot of work for whoever's running the game
-
Helps to have battlemaps or miniatures, which can get pricey
Buy it if:

You want the quintessential tabletop RPG: If you're after a classic pen-and-paper experience, it doesn't get much better than this. D&D is the benchmark, and it'll give you a feel for everything the best tabletop RPGs can offer.

You want something well-supported, with lots of players: Because D&D is the biggest TTRPG around, it's by far and away the best supported. There are loads of ready-made adventures that are easy to get into, and countless players who want to try them.

Don't buy it if:

You'll be running the game and don't want lots of prep: Unfortunately, D&D is pretty demanding on whoever's leading the session. Although using prewritten adventures will help, you'll still need to do a lot of prep ahead of the game.

You want a game that excels at the specifics: It's great that D&D is such a jack-of-all-trades, but the downside is that it doesn't ace any particular thing. For specifics (like a crime thriller or stealth experience, say), you'll find better options elsewhere.

What you need to know: For many gamers, 'tabletop RPGs' and 'D&D' mean the same thing. And that's hardly surprising. Besides being one of the oldest games in the business, it's also the most popular. Particularly now – there's been a resurgence of interest thanks to shows like Stranger Things and Critical Role. Basically? It should be your first port of call if you want that traditional pen-and-paper experience.

Although they have their flaws, you can't overemphasize how much of an impact Dungeons and Dragons books have had on the industry either; they're the gold standard in terms of classic roleplay, world-building, and mechanics. Plus, the franchise has built a wealth of content to explore with infinite possibilities on-tap. Want to make your way through dusty old tombs or travel the stars in a Jules Verne-style space adventure? You can do that. Yes, other TTRPGs are better at specific things like roleplay, stealth, or combat, but few provide as well-rounded an experience as D&D. 

How it works: Unlike the best board games, there aren't just players of the game – you also have a 'Dungeon Master' who acts as a referee and storyteller for everyone else. They're responsible for setting the scene, describing what happens, judging rules, controlling non-playable characters, and running enemies in combat. Think of it like an interactive ghost story (the kind told around a campfire at night, where it's all about atmosphere) and you won't be far off.

Once you've decided what species your character is going to be (ranging from the familiar to the weird), you'll assign scores to attributes like Strength and Charisma. You'll then settle on a 'class.' These are real classics, and almost every other RPG has nicked them in the decades since D&D launched. You know the kind – we're talking warriors, rogues, and wizards.

Damn-near essential

GamesRadar+ review

Gameplay: Almost every action you can take in D&D involves rolling dice – normally a 20-sided one, known as a d20. Whenever you want to do something (be it picking a lock or crossing swords with a bandit), you'll roll one of those dice and add your character's relevant attribute score to the result. If you beat a target number decided by the Dungeon Master, you've succeeded! If you fail... well, things might get ugly.

The result is an elegant and intuitive system. Sure, other games are easier to understand and handle specific aspects better. But generally speaking, D&D's a good all-rounder with lots of versatility. It's easily the best-supported option out there as well, so you'll never struggle for something new to play or someone you can play it with. And even if it wasn't,  D&D is crammed with worldbuilding material that will help you make your own adventures.

The bottom line: D&D is seen as the quintessential tabletop RPG for a reason – it's one of the best. While competitors nail the specifics better than a jack-of-all-trades like Dungeons & Dragons can, few can match its scope or support.

It offers a solid grounding that'll serve you well if you decide to try something different, too. A lot of the rules you'll encounter here share DNA with many of the suggestions listed below. 

Best tabletop RPGS: For beginners

Index Card RPG Master Edition book cover

(Image credit: Future)
A great starting point for newcomers

Specifications

Genre: Fantasy, sci-fi, superhero, western
Complexity: Easy

Reasons to buy

+
Simple rules and character creation
+
Easy to get into
+
Flexible Milestone system

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as deep as other TTRPGs
-
Some settings are more engaging than others
Buy it if:

 ✅ You want something easy to understand: If you're new to pen-and-paper RPGs or find yourself bouncing off dense rulebooks, Index Card will be a revelation.

You don't want to get bogged down with busywork: Index Card RPG does away with fluff and gets you straight to the good stuff. That makes it a smoother, quicker experience.

Don't buy it if:

You want lots of mechanical depth: Because it's a less dense than other systems, Index Card RPG can feel rather lightweight as a result.

You want something classic: Although it does have your standard world of swords and sorcery, Index Card is often more interested in flipping the script than adhering to tropes.

What you need to know: If you're new to the best tabletop RPGs and have no idea what you should do with a d20, this clever system by Runehammer is a great place to start. Designed with accessibility in mind, Index Card RPG is about getting into the action as quickly as possible. You won't need to dust off your math skills in order to play, either; its mechanics are streamlined and emphasize ease-of-use.

How it works: The book simplifies actions by consolidating tasks into categories that always use the same kind of dice. This results in much less rules-confusion where players pause the game so they can look up how much damage a particular attack should do. (We can never remember which dice are used for certain weapons in D&D, so not having to scan spreadsheets is a blessing in our eyes.) When combined with no-fuss character creation and a straightforward health system inspired by video game 'hearts', you can be playing Index Card RPG in an impressively short amount of time.

Much of that comes down to the book's conversational tone; it's much easier to read than other TTRPG tomes. 

Gameplay: Its accessibility doesn't mean Index Card RPG is boring. this doesn't mean it's boring. Instead, its classes feature clever twists to help them stand out alongside left-field player options like ghosts carried within a suit of robotic armor. What's more, it's home to not one but five settings (the fantasy-themed Alfhiem, starship-focused Warp Shell, supernatural western Ghost Mountain, superhero romp Vigilante City, and prehistoric Blood and Snow). 

Wonderfully accessible

GamesRadar+ review

No matter where your adventures take place, your sessions will run smoothly and even the greenest greenhorn can get involved. This game jettisons a lot of the faff and needless minutiae that can bring games crashing to a halt, so everyone can focus on having a good time instead.

The bottom line: Besides being one of the most accessible tabletop RPGs, Index Card is one of the most flexible. Its system can be used for almost anything you're able to dream up, and that makes it a great example of everything this hobby is about.

Best tabletop RPGs: Fantasy

The One Ring Starter Set box, map, cards, and dice on a wooden table against a dark backdrop

(Image credit: Future)
Perfectly captures Tolkien's world

Specifications

Genre: Dark fantasy
Complexity: Moderate

Reasons to buy

+
Superb production values, and crammed with content
+
Perfectly captures the spirit of Tolkien's books
+
Very beginner-friendly

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't always anticipate (or offer a framework for) failure
-
Starter set is pretty low-stakes
Buy it if:

You adore The Lord of the Rings: Fans of Tolkien's work or Peter Jackson's films will love every minute spent playing this game – it's a real love letter to Middle-earth.

You prefer roleplay to combat: Fighting isn't really the focus of The One Ring, and although there are plenty of mechanics to simulate combat, exploration and character are far more important.

Don't buy it if:

You want lots of action: If crossing swords with hordes of orcs or battling in epic, Helm's Deep-style sieges are what your heart desires, you'll be disappointed with The One Ring.

You want to explore all of Middle-earth: Because this game is limited to the northern reaches of Tolkein's world, you won't find yourself in iconic locations like Gondor, Rohan, or Erebor.

What you need to know: There's a reason why Tolkien's work continues to be the framework for (and inspiration of) countless fantasy settings today; it exemplifies everything great about the genre. And although capturing its tone can be tricky, this system from Free League passes that test with flying colors. Whether it's flawless production design using Tolkien's signature red notifs, a reluctance to go overboard with monsters and magic beyond the books' scope, or elaborate pencil illustrations that look like they've been stolen from the sketchbook of Alan Lee, The One Ring nails Middle-earth in every way that counts.

How it works: In a development that D&D or Pathfinder players will appreciate, The One Ring's mechanics are elegant and easily understood. Along with dividing skills into three categories (Strength, Heart, and Wit), they all feature clear 'Target Numbers' that you have to beat when rolling for a challenge. This makes things very straightforward even if you've never played a tabletop RPG before.

Gameplay: Sure, it's lacking in pre-written adventures at the time of writing (there's only the starter set and one dedicated book of adventures, 'Tales From the Lone-Lands'). But there's more than enough material on-hand to create your own adventure. The beginner box and core rulebook are as stuffed as a hobbit's larder with details on the northern kingdoms of Middle-earth, so you won't ever be struggling to find inspiration.

It's elegant and instantly understandable

GamesRadar+ review

What's more, its emphasis on roleplay and fellowship over combat or magic make it feel very true to Tolkein's vision. The One Ring doesn't use Middle-earth as a costume; it's dedicated to what makes it so beloved the world over.

The bottom line: This is an evocative and surprisingly accessible way into one of the most popular settings in fiction. If Tolkein were still with us, we suspect he'd approve of this tabletop RPG.

Best tabletop RPGs: Sci-fi

Players around a table with the Starfinder Beginner Box

(Image credit: Paizo)

4. Starfinder

Adventure in deep space with equally deep rules

Specifications

Genre: Sci-fi
Complexity: Heavy

Reasons to buy

+
Deep and intricate systems for sci-fi adventuring
+
A well-designed book you could hurt somebody with

Reasons to avoid

-
Rules are streamlined, but still daunting
Buy it if:

You want to travel the stars: Not feeling the draw of fantasy? Starfinder sends you shooting across space instead. Rather than riding horses and fighting with swords, you're more likely to be flying in a spaceship and laying the smack down via a laser gatling gun.

Star Wars, Star Trek, Dune, and Mass Effect are your jam: Starfinder collects all the best bits of sci-fi and jams them together into an entirely new world that'll draw in genre fans. 

Don't buy it if:

You'd prefer to play in a more iconic universe: If you and your friends prefer the Skywalker saga or the Enterprise's five-year mission, you're better off playing tie-in RPGs for those franchises – they're out there.

You don't like the Pathfinder/D&D system: Seeing as it uses the classic d20 system, those who don't get on with that style of play won't enjoy Stardinder.

What you need to know: You don't have to know Starfinder is the sci-fi followup to Pathfinder to enjoy it. You just have to like laser swords and ship combat and strange alien species and, ideally, a wee bit of fantasy mixed in with your sci-fi. 

How it works: Starfinder uses a familiar array of stats to modify your usual D20 attack and ability rolls, but also leaves the door open to bringing in space dwarves or cosmic elves if you can't stand to roleplay without them. However, even if you want your campaign to feel like Pathfinder or D&D in space, new ideas like character themes (which emphasize your place in the galaxy, not just how you fight) and the health/stamina system ensure that Starfinder plays like a game that can stand on its own two feet.

Gameplay: While its rulebook weighs in at a very dense 500-odd pages, Starfinder is fairly easy to get into. You don't necessarily need to learn everything before setting off for the stars, either; it takes a refreshing mix-and-match approach. 

Its mechanics (which find their roots in Pathfinder) also keep things moving quickly – if you're familiar with d20 games like D&D, you'll feel right at home. There are just enough new additions via shields, energy weapons, and spaceship combat for it to really differentiate itself, though. Plus, a vast array of new species and cultures provide a fascinating universe to explore that seems far more established than it actually is.

The bottom line: If you'd rather go cosmic with laser guns and starships like the Millennium Falcon than slogging it on horseback across the medieval countryside, Starfinder is ideal. It manages to nod at beloved franchises such as Star Wars or Star Trek while still carving out an identity of its own.

Best tabletop RPGs: Crime

Blades in the Dark cover artwork with a knife-wielding man

(Image credit: Evil Hat Productions)

5. Blades in the Dark

Brilliantly designed dark criminal fantasy

Specifications

Genre: Dark fantasy
Complexity: Moderate

Reasons to buy

+
Inventive dice mechanics encourage experimentation
+
The city of Duskvol is a fantastic place to be a crook
+
The book itself has grim aesthetic for days

Reasons to avoid

-
Narrow focus may ruffle those used to more open systems
Buy it if:

You want a gritty, urban adventure: If the likes of Dishonored and Peaky Blinders are your jam, you'll get on very well with this thoroughly grungy RPG.

You want something fast-paced: Blades in the Dark rarely lets you stop and catch your breath. It does away with the bloat of other tabletop RPGs for a more streamlined experience.

Don't buy it if:

You'd like something a bit more hopeful: Blades in the Dark is bleak, and there's no getting away from that. If you prefer more optimistic stories, skip this one.

You aren't a horror fan: This game revolves around an eerie, haunted city full of terrible people doing terrible things. Consider yourself warned.

What you need to know: If any game epitomizes 'grunge,' it's Blades in the Dark. Set within a suitably gritty city in the grips of its own industrial revolution, this tabletop RPG puts all of its eggs into the basket of ne'er-do-wells who lie, steal, and cheat their way to a payday they didn't earn. Plus, it takes place in a metropolis trapped under eternal night and filled with ghosts of the dead who can't leave. That helps it stand out from the crowd – there's nothing quite like this.

How it works: Blades is one of the more focused games on this list. Rather than trying to do a bit of everything, it zeroes in on the criminal underbelly in one particular city. It also strips away mechanical bloat for an experience that's incredibly fast-paced. Namely, it doesn't let you get bogged down with plans or endless what-ifs before a job. Instead, whoever's running the session asks a few questions and creates a dice pool using those answers. They then run the mission based on roll results, with extra details being added in-medias-res through flashback scenes. It's zippy and engaging, thrusting players into the thick of the action before they've had time to orient themselves.

Gameplay: The best tabletop RPGs can get bogged down with talk of what a party should do before an event (be it a fight, theft, or something more ambitious), and that brings gameplay to a grinding halt. But Blades in the Dark doesn't have that problem. It gets down to brass tacks as soon as possible, and players will have to think on their feet when things inevitably go sideways. You don't even need to worry about modifiers or bonuses; everything boils down to the result of d6s (a six is a success, for instance). The better your character is at something, the more dice they roll. That means even a newcomer can get into the swing of things before long.

It's true that some Game Masters will struggle with Blades in the Dark's emphasis on improvisation (it's highly likely that you'll need to pivot away from your prep due to the party's unorthodox methods), but that can result in something truly invigorating. You really don't know what'll happen next, and thanks to mechanics revolving around gang rivalries, mistakes – and successes, for that matter – have consequences.

The bottom line: We could spend a great deal of time waxing lyrical about how good this game is, but that'd require a lot more space than we have in this list. So, here's the long and short of it – you should definitely add Blades in the Dark to your collection. 

Best tabletop RPGs: Horror

Alien: The Roleplaying Game starter set and components

(Image credit: Future, Matt Thrower)
In space, no-one can hear you roll

Specifications

Genre: Sci-fi horror
Complexity: Moderate

Reasons to buy

+
'Stress dice' are great additions
+
Superb worldbuilding
+
'Cinematic mode' is smart and authentic

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be tricky to run
Buy it if:

You want a tense and scary game: It sounds ridiculous, but Alien has us on the edge of our seat during play. Its foes are terrifying, its missions are soaked in dread, and it captures the heart of what made the original movie so, so good.

You enjoy morally gray stories: Much like the film franchise, most people in the Alien RPG suck. They each have their own agenda, some of which put them at odds with the rest of the party.  

Don't buy it if:

You aren't a fan of Alien: As is probably obvious, anyone that doesn't like the Alien franchise won't get on with this game.

You or your GM struggle to build tension: This really does live or die by the skill of your Game Master. If they don't set the tone just right, it'll fall flat.

What you need to know: You don't 'win' in this adaptation of the horror franchise; you just survive. And even then, your odds aren't great. As a certain android once said, "I can't lie to you about your chances. But you have my sympathies."

How it works: Alongside a simplified d6 system that isn't difficult to grasp, the Alien RPG leans into the stress and tension of the original series. As an example, its 'cinematic mode' offers pre-generated characters in a high-lethality scenario where you're likely to die a sudden, and very unpleasant, death. Because these poor souls come with conflicting objectives as well (like covering up Weyland-Yutani's faults or capturing a sample), roleplay is even spicier than usual. Who do you trust? If you're used to being a near-invulnerable paragon of good in D&D, it's a breath of fresh air.

Gameplay: The nihilistic, against-all-odds mentality of Alien is alive and well in this tabletop RPG. Actually, it's one of the best translations of the source material on shelves right now. This isn't an adventure of derring-do or indestructible heroes; it's a desperate last stand where you're hopelessly outgunned, and that makes for an unusually compelling – not to mention terrifying – adventure. 

Outstanding

GamesRadar+ review

Crucially, the xenomorphs it revolves around really are perfect killing machines. Being able to survive an encounter with one (even the smaller, more vulnerable variety seen throughout Aliens) is an achievement. In short, you can forget about going toe to toe with them – they'll almost certainly win, and it won't be pretty.

The bottom line: As our review points out, "knowing beforehand that characters can and will die frees both designers and players to make full use of horror elements." This game is laser-focused on its goal of creeping you out, so we can't recommend it enough for fans of being spooked.

How we test the best tabletop RPGs

Images of a map from Planescape, and pages of Index Card RPG

(Image credit: Future)
  • Every tabletop RPG is played multiple times
  • Our sessions include a variety of players
  • We judge on longevity, accessibility, and plain old fun

The GamesRadar+ team is made up of passionate TTRPG fans, so our writers will only ever spotlight games they genuinely think are worth celebrating. To be featured here, those games need to jump through a few hoops.

To begin with, we spend as much time as possible learning how these tabletop RPGs work to gain an all-round understanding of what sets them apart from the competition. Is the system easy to understand, and does it achieve what it sets out to do? Does another game do the same thing better, or worse? Is there a twist on established conventions? We then dive into playtest sessions with a variety of player counts so that we can gauge how the experience differs.

If a game doesn't excel in all these departments, it doesn't get onto our list

We're not just focusing on good old-fashioned fun, though. Our experts also consider the quality of components and artwork alongside how easy the rules are to understand. If a game doesn't excel in all these departments, it doesn't get onto our list of the best tabletop RPGs.

For more, you can read up on how we test with a deep dive into our process.

How to choose the best tabletop RPGs

Alien Roleplaying Game Starter Set cover and D&D Player's Handbook cover

(Image credit: Free League, Wizards of the Coast)

If you can't decide what you want or simply feel overwhelmed by the level of choice, don't panic - there are ways to narrow things down. To help you decide, ask yourself the following questions: 

Have you played tabletop RPGs before?
If you're completely new to TTRPGs, we'd recommend taking a look at accessible options like The One Ring or Index Card RPG (which you'll find on this page). It's worth taking a look at the D&D Starter Set if you want an easy way into the biggest and most popular tabletop RPG, too.

❓ Which genres, movies, and TV shows do you like?
It may seem obvious, but getting a game that feels like your favorites is a good place to start. Adore high fantasy adventures like Lord of the Rings? Try D&D, Pathfinder, or The One Ring. Prefer sci-fi epics? Besides official RPGs for Star Wars and Star Trek, Starfinder is a great alternative. As for horror fans, definitely take a look at Call of Cthulhu, Vaesen, and Candela Obscura.

❓ How much time are you willing to spend?
Although it sounds like an odd question, considering how much time you have available is worthwhile. If you're hoping to run games but are often busy, using prep-heavy systems like D&D may not be ideal. (Though if you're keen to stick with Dungeons & Dragons, we'd recommend getting a book of one-shot adventures like Candlekeep Mysteries instead.) In that instance, we'd suggest roll-as-you-go games such as Ten Candles. Just want to play, on the other hand? Think about how often you can be available. If you can only make a session once every couple of months, trying to go for one-shots is better than getting involved in a full campaign. 

Best tabletop RPGs: FAQ

Images from Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen, and Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

What is the most popular tabletop RPG?

The most popular tabletop RPG is easily Dungeons & Dragons. Along with being one of the oldest games in the business, it being used in everything from Critical Role to Stranger Things (not to mention a big budget movie with massive names attached) has catapulted it even further into the public eye.

That's not to say it's necessarily the 'best' for everyone, though. There are plenty of alternatives out there, and they excel in areas that D&D doesn't always do as well.

Where should you start with tabletop RPGs?

If you're completely new to tabletop RPGs, you can't go far wrong with Index Card RPG or The One Ring Starter Set. Both are superb introductions to the hobby and are easy to get your head around, so greenhorns can be rolling dice in no time. 

The D&D starter set or Essentials Kit are also brilliant places to begin. They explain the rules in an easy-to-understand manner while also providing a pre-written adventure to play through. 

What is the best alternative to D&D?

If you're keen to avoid D&D but want to remain rooted in the world of fantasy, we'd recommend starting with Pathfinder or The One Ring. The former is based on an older version of Dungeons & Dragons so retains a lot of its best bits without the baggage, while the latter nails the tone and sense of adventure from its inspiration.

As for sci-fi, Starfinder is an excellent choice. This is made by the same people behind Pathfinder and has been very well-received. Meanwhile, Alien: The Roleplaying Game is an excellent choice if you want something creepier.


For more recommendations, be sure to check out the best board games, must-have board games for adults, and essential board games for 2 players.

Benjamin Abbott
Tabletop & Merch Editor

As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

With contributions from