Hi, I run after school RPG sessions at my local library. A lot of the kids ask if I have a reccomendation for RPG games. Unfortunately I am a bit out of the loop as I have moved into the TTRPG space. I know about Balder's Gate etc, but is that too much complexity?
Thanks

For kids,  White Box by Charlie Mason, and Basic Fantasy by Chris Gonnerman.

Both can be ordered from Amazon, white box is like $5 and Basic Fantasy is like $9.

Also Basic Fantasy has rulebook and dozens of modules all of which are free pdfs to download.  And the pdfs are exactly like the print books.

Cairn version 1 is also a free download.

They might need a free DM resource, I don't know of any, but articles and videos might help there, about making and running adventures.

Good luck.

Oh, cool thanks for that!
Yup I'll be DM-ing just wanted to avoid the awkwardness of needing to run a math class

Yes the ones I list are old school Basic D&D, I wasn't clear on that.
Not 5e ish.

I second the Cairn suggestion, but if you want more beginner friendly stuff, I suggest the D&D Starter sets. They are 5E, but most kids should understand the rules quick enough to play in a short time frame. Also, any game that uses the Kids on Bikes system should be fine for kids that saw Stranger Things or ET to understand the rules.

There's Magical Kities Save the Day if that's not too cute for you.  It's a fun, simple game but it leans heavily in to the cute kitties theme.

Quote from: bardiclife on December 25, 2024, 12:37:44 PMI run after school RPG sessions at my local library.

You're doing the lawd's work.  Somebody's got to raise up the next generation of nerds.  Given the context, you can't go wrong with the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game.  Most importantly the system is both easy and solid.  It's also free - completely free, and bound printed copies are available very inexpensively should anyone want physical media.  You can run the base game to keep it simple or add on 'splat books' if your group starts looking for more.  There are even bunches of adventures ready-to-go. 

If you're looking to switch it up and just want a one-shot, check out the old chestnut Lady Blackbird - also free.  It's pretty different from D&D style games, but I think kids would have a blast with it.  There are a couple more freebies on the same page.

Aww, thank you! Ah I knew about Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, but I'd forgotten it existed! And its free so they can read up on it, thanks!

Basic Fantasy is the one I also recommend. 

It's old school, simple D&D, but with two major fixes.  It has the modern ascending Armor Class where the AC is also the target number, and second it splits races and classes so you don't play an Elf as a class.

That's great that you're running free sessions! Can recommend Knave for new players as that's what I've been using with my group who are all new to TTRPGs. They'd probably also find Mausritter fun and cute.

I think if you're recommending games to youths, it's important that they be readily available either from local retailers or on Amazon. Some of the games I'd recommend are POD only, but I think making a DrivethruRPG account and waiting six weeks for printing is probably too big an ask for kids.

I'd always have said BFRPG in the past, on the grounds that it's so cheap and readily available, but I looked on Amazon last night and several games on Amazon are even cheaper. Cairn and White Box are both insanely cheap. SOJOURN RPG looks cool too. I just purchased a copy, so I'll report back when it gets here if it seems worthwhile.

If some of these kids try those out and come back looking for a recommendation for something more involved, maybe Castles & Crusades. Those books are easy to get too, and still a pretty reasonable. Dungeon Crawl Classics sells their stuff on Amazon, too, but I wouldn't recommend it to a newcomer.

I'm a little confused though. It looked like the OP was asking for videogame RPG recommendations. Did I just read that wrong?