Just wondering--

What's your favorite generic RPG system, and why?

No, no, no--I don't want to start arguments and flame wars and such. I don't want to know why "Game X" sucks. I just want to know which generic RPG systems you like to run / play, and why.

Thanks!

~Roman

Fate/Fudge

or

PDQ

I don't really like any of the generic systems I've seen as generic systems, but some of them are good for certain games. Amazing Engine was interesting, but didn't really get off the ground. Gurps is good at some things... Fudge likewise. D20 isn't generic, don't believe those who maintain that it is. Haven't really had a good look at any others.

I use the system for the game we're going to play.  Sometimes we go by genre...we're using C&C for the current Heroic Greek game.

It all depends on the type of game you want to play.  For detailed, gritty games that lean towards the realistic, I go with GURPS.  For more cinematic, but with a tactical side that allows the players to strategize a bit with the game rules, Savage Worlds.  For more story-oriented, character-driven games where you aren't so worried about details and super-tight internal logic in the world, FATE would be my choice (though I haven't ever actually used it; I'm really waiting for 3.0 to come out, the skill pyramid is way too fussy for me right now)

Currently, I'm leaning towards Savage Worlds.  It's got enough crunch that the traditional side of me and my players find it easy to latch onto, but the prep time is so light and the rules move so fast in the game that it really lets me focus on the situation and the fun of the game.  I'm quite happy with it these days.

True20. It's retard easy, which makes it perfect for me.

My favorite generic system has been Story Engine for several years now. I like it because it's very streamlined, so it's quick to prep, quick to make characters and quick in play. It's also an easy system to tweak.

I also really like CORPS when I want something more robust.

Quote from: walkerpCurrently, I'm leaning towards Savage Worlds.  It's got enough crunch that the traditional side of me and my players find it easy to latch onto, but the prep time is so light and the rules move so fast in the game that it really lets me focus on the situation and the fun of the game.  I'm quite happy with it these days.

Ditto.

Loving all the replies so far.

In case you were wondering at all about my own preferences:

If the players want a bit more tactical / strategic play and crunchier bits, I use Savage Worlds myself.

Otherwise ... PDQ, Story Engine, FATE, and, yes, Risus.

I haven't ever tried to extrapolate the _Over the Edge_ rules from the setting, but have a funny feeling those would work well in other settings.

Although it wasn't written as a generic system as such, for years my favorite turn-to, throw-it-at-a-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks system has been Basic Roleplaying, particularly from the RQ 2nd ed and CoC 2nd ed era.  Very simple rules that inexperienced players could grasp easily and that experienced players could play to their advantage.  It also presented a simple enough baseline to apply it to a number of different settings, usually starting with one of the published games and extrapolating outward, bringing in details from other published BRP games as desired.

!i!

I like Risus for light and quick stuff.
My mainstay would be GURPS 3rd edition.
I've never read Savage Worlds. But I'm interested to learn more aboout it.

Quote from: RoninI've never read Savage Worlds. But I'm interested to learn more aboout it.

Check out the test drive rules at http://www.peginc.com/

They should be in the download section and will give you a very good idea of the game. Also, there are several reviews of the game, the best being Dan Davenport's.

Note that SW has gone through small changes since then but the review should still be very helpful and help you determine whether this game is for you or not.

I still like Hero.  Complicated enough to be interesting, simple enough skill resolution.  Strangely (given its starting genre) , I don't like it so much for supers campaigns.  I prefer it for skill based (as opposed to powers or magic) based genres.

For generic RPG's I find that the New World of Darkness rules do a pretty good job.  Core book gives you the rules to make up humans and you just go from there.

I like BESM 3rd.

It's got all the fussiness of GURPS, removes the ridicolously detailed combat and is very fun to play!