With Christmas fast approaching, you may be wondering what to get from the roleplaying game lover, Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast, or Critical Role superfan in your life. Thankfully, the tabletop roleplaying game scene is going through a renaissance right now, with hundreds of creators producing tonnes of fantastic games covering all sorts of topics and genres, meaning there is a game for every taste.
Plus, many of these books feature beautiful and eye-catching artwork, making them double as fun coffee table books that are as fun to read as they are to play!
For The Card Game Expert
Black Ice White Dragon
Featuring a highly unique take on cyberpunk that sends the setting back to the Gilded Age and mixes in a healthy helping of the occult, meaning the world is dominated by magic and punchcard technology, something that is unlike any other gaming setting currently on the market.
The game stands out due to its two modes of play, operating as both a card game and a TTRPG, making it stand out from the pack. Plus, the card game aspect works with any cards you own, making it highly accessible and perfect for people who want to dip their toes into the medium.
For The One Who Celebrates Halloween All Year
Thousand Year Old Vampire
Halloween may have come and gone, but we all have that friend who keeps the spooky season alive all year round, and they’ll adore finding Thousand Year Old Vampire in their black stocking on Christmas morning.
This solo roleplaying game sees the player chronicle the life of a vampire, from their creation to inevitable destruction. Using some beautifully written prompts, the player will encounter moments of triumph and despair as their vampire navigates the passing years.
As an added bonus, this game is highly intuitive, making it a great first solo TTRPG for those new to the genre.
For The True Crime Podcast Lover
Seven Murders Til Midnight
For many, Christmas is a time for family, food, and a good whodunnit. For people who want to step into the shoes of Hercule Poirot, Seven Murders Til Midnight is the perfect game.
This game puts players on the tail of a murderer. Over a week, you’ll investigate crime scenes and try to work out who is behind the crimes before they can kill again. However, step carefully, as being a detective is emotionally intense, and you’ll need to look after yourself as the investigation takes a toll on your relationships.
For The Sword Collector
I Have the High Ground
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s most iconic line is the basis for this excellent 2-player game about dueling and the emotional complications that often lead to it. The Rock, Paper, Scissors mechanics at the heart of this game mean that it’s super easy to pick up, even for those with no previous TTRPG experience, making it a perfect first game.
It’s also a deeply emotional game, leading to intense sessions that will leave you desperate for more and thinking of them long after you finish playing.
For The Cowboy Bebop and Firefly Superfan
Orbital Blues
People who like their sci-fi working class and gritty will love Orbital Blues, a self-described “lo-fi space western” game. Stepping into the shoes of a crew of space farers trapped in a harsh gig economy, players will have to work hard to scrape together enough to make ends meet, especially as jobs tend to be trickier than they look.
Based on an easy-to-learn D6 system, Orbital Blues is a game even the newest TTRPG player will have a blast with. As an added bonus, it has a lot of support, including several published adventures, making it great for groups who want to dive in and get playing.
For The One Who Loves Bake Off And Heavy Metal
Death Cap Sauté
Post-apocalyptic Masterchef might seem odd on paper, but Death Cap Sauté shows how fun the concept is. Players take control of a restaurant team competing in the Shroomp Lord’s cooking contest to win Shroomps, the most delicious mushrooms in the world. However, the competition isn’t easy, and one wrong move can lead to one of your chefs getting killed in action.
A complete game of Death Cap Sauté only takes a few hours, making it a fantastic game for parties. Plus, the game is built around ultra-simple dice mechanics and free-form roleplay, meaning that it’s perfect for players who are new to the genre or want a more casual experience.
For The One Who Dreams Of Going To A Magical School
Cantrip
Magical School settings are as popular as ever thanks to shows like Little Witch Accademia and The Owl House. And for those who want to play rather than watch magical education adventures, Cantip is the perfect game.
This game is built on the already excellent Belonging Outside Belonging system. Because of this, this diceless game is perfect for telling dramatic tales that capture every part of school life, from classroom struggles to the complex relationships students build and break over time.
For The One Who Loves Cars
TORQ
Perfect for lovers of Mad Max, this post-apocalyptic game casts wanders who go from settlement to settlement, using their cars to help people in need, even if that desire to help can put you in grave danger.
What makes TORQ so interesting is the fact that it has two distinct elements. When traveling from place to place, the game uses a grid system that forces players to think tactically about their moves lest they run into trouble. The game then shifts to a freeform roleplaying system when the players arrive at their destination. This allows them to shape the situations their drivers encounter and the world they live in, making this a game that will please players of all kinds.
For The One Who Loves Their Fantasy Dark
The Lost and the Jammed
A game that will have you shouting: “This is my boomstick!” The Lost and the Jammed drops players into a world devastated by a magical apocalypse. Because of this, only tiny pockets of civilization remain, while the harrowing, deadly Blighted Lands encompass everything else. However, despite this, mercenaries dubbed Flotsam still venture across the land, hoping to scavenge whatever treasures remain.
Combining dark fantasy with over-the-top magical guns, The Lost and the Jammed is an action-packed game where death lurks around every corner, leading to a high-tension game where every action must be carefully considered.
For The One Who Always Sends A Postcard
Lost Post
What happens to the letters that never make it to their destination? This cozy single-player game casts the player as a lost letter, helplessly floating through the postal system.
During the game, you’ll write about both the purpose and contents of the letter but also think about the journey it takes and the people it meets along the way, from the sorting staff who organize the piles to the postie who finally drops it in the box. Making this a delightfully cozy and moving game that everyone will love, no matter their experience with solo games.
For Those Who Want To Dip Their Toes Into Roleplaying
Feathered Adventures
Fans of cute animals and thrilling adventures will adore this game. Feathered Adventures puts players in the shoes of a group of anthropomorphic birds as they go on quests ranging from fun treasure hunts to detective investigations.
The game contains everything you need to get going quickly, and the system is highly flexible. It doesn’t use dice and can be played with or without a GM, making it great for groups of any type, from long-time TTRPG people looking for something new to families who want a quick game they can play together.
For The Horror Movie Fanatic
1978: The Night They Came Home
Recreating classic slasher films, 1978: The Night They Came Home is a two-player game with a gripping twist. The game comes with two books, one for the killer and one for the hero, and each has unique rules to reflect the character and their role in the story.
During the game, players will tell the story of the heroine’s struggle to outrun fate while also fleshing out how they ended up in this situation. The card mechanic at the center of the game leads to plenty of excitement, tension, and unpredictability. As an added bonus, the box comes with tokens and a deck of cards, meaning you have everything you need to start playing the game the second you open it.
For The One Who Loves To Cook
My Mother’s Kitchen
Everyone loves a good meal, and My Mother’s Kitchen looks at how recipes progress through time and bring families together. This tarot-based solo journaling game sees players follow a family’s recipes through time, all while chronicling how someone’s memory can live on.
Beautifully mixing moving and spooky, this game is perfect for anyone who yearns for an original experience or loves food history. Plus, you can work your family recipes into the gameplay, making the experience even more personal.
Jonathon Greenall is a freelance writer, TTRPG designer, and visual artist. They love creating and exploring the often overlooked corners of indie media, spotlighting things that dare to be different.