List of role-playing games by genre

This is a list of role-playing games, subdivided by genre (although many games do not fit clearly into one genre or another). It does not include role-playing video games, MMORPGs, or any other video games with RPG elements. Most of these games are tabletop role-playing games; other types of games are noted as such where appropriate.

Contemporary action/adventure/espionage/military

 * d20 Modern by Wizards of the Coast
 * Feng Shui - based on Hong Kong martial arts movies
 * Fiasco - a GM-less game about petty criminals and cruel twists of fate
 * GUMSHOE System
 * James Bond 007 by Victory Games - based on the James Bond books and films
 * Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes
 * Ninjas & Superspies (1987) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books
 * Over the Edge
 * Revised RECON (1986) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books; based on the original Recon (1981) by Joe F. Martin
 * Spycraft by Alderac Entertainment Group - espionage adventure
 * Top Secret by TSR - espionage adventure
 * Twilight 2000

Fantasy

 * Agone (French) - based on novels by award-winning fantasy writer Mathieu Gaborit.
 * Alshard (Japanese) - fantasy with mecha like Final Fantasy
 * Alshard Gaia (Japanese) - a contemporary fantasy with Alshard system
 * Amber Diceless Roleplaying - based on the works of Roger Zelazny
 * Anima: Beyond Fantasy
 * Arduin - written by David A. Hargrave
 * Aria
 * Arianrhod RPG (Japanese) - MMORPG-like
 * Ars Magica
 * Avalon (MUD) - Multiplayer MUD by Yehuda Simmons, fully realized roleplaying world.
 * Basic Fantasy RPG
 * BattleDragons - Play as dragons in a fantasy world by Spartacus Publishing.
 * The Black Company - Campaign Setting based on the The Black Company book series by Glen Cook, using the d20 system.
 * Blue Rose by Green Ronin Publishing
 * The Burning Wheel - High fantasy
 * Castles and Crusades - OGL System fantasy RPG published by Troll Lord Games
 * Castle Falkenstein - steampunk fantasy
 * Chivalry & Sorcery
 * Les Chroniques d'Erdor, an unusual French RPG of oneiric fantasy using a 54 card game, edited by Boite a Polpette.
 * Chronicles of Ramlar
 * Conan supplements, Conan Unchained! and Conan Against Darkness!, both published in 1984 by TSR
 * Conan Role-Playing Game, using the so called "ZeFRS" (Zeb's Fantasy Roleplaying System), and published in 1985 by TSR
 * GURPS Conan, using the GURPS system and published as of 1989 by Steve Jackson Games
 * Conan: The Roleplaying Game, the OGL System version published from 2004 to 2010 by Mongoose Publishing
 * Cursed Empire (formerly Crimson Empire, changed its name for trademark reasons)
 * Dangerous Journeys - created by E. Gary Gygax
 * The Dark Eye - Germany's most popular RPG, known in Germany as Das Schwarze Auge
 * Deliria: Faerie Tales for the New Millennium - by Phil Brucato. Published by Laughing Pan Productions
 * Demon's Lair - Created by Lasalion Games
 * Donjon - by Clinton R. Nixon
 * ''Dragon Age
 * Dragonlance: Fifth Age - by TSR
 * DragonQuest
 * DragonRaid - a Christian RPG, created by Dick Wulf in 1984
 * Dragon Warriors - An easy-to-use RPG published in paperback format.
 * Drakar och Demoner (Dragons and Demons) - Swedish language game originally published by Target Games, later versions by Riotminds
 * Dungeons & Dragons - created by Dave Arneson and E. Gary Gygax, further editions by TSR, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast
 * Earthdawn
 * Elemental Axes by Crosstime Games of British Columbia
 * Elfquest by Chaosium - based on the works of Richard Pini and Wendy Pini
 * Elric!, by Chaosium, based on Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories
 * Empire of the Petal Throne - set in M. A. R. Barker's world of Tekumel
 * Eon
 * Everquest - pencil & paper version of the popular MMORPG, published by White Wolf Publishing
 * Everway
 * Exalted
 * Fantasy Craft by Crafty Games
 * Fantasy Hero by Hero Games
 * Fantasy Imperium
 * The Fantasy Trip
 * Fireborn by Fantasy Flight Games
 * Furry Pirates
 * Fate of the Norns
 * A Game of Thrones - based on the eponymous fantasy novel
 * Grimm - based in a twisted, morbid fairytale world, published by Fantasy Flight Games.
 * HackMaster
 * HârnMaster/Hârn
 * High Adventure Role Playing by Iron Crown Enterprises
 * Hawkmoon - an addendum to the Stormbringer RPG (aka Elric!)
 * HeroQuest/Hero Wars
 * In Nomine - Based on the In Nomine Satanis / Magna Veritas French roleplaying game
 * Ironclaw - by Sanguine Productions Ltd
 * Legend of the Five Rings Role-Playing Game - Asian-themed RPG, published by Alderac Entertainment Group
 * Lejendary Adventure, created by Gary Gygax and published by Hekaforge Productions
 * Lone Wolf
 * Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game - based on the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien
 * Maelstrom
 * Man, Myth & Magic by Yaquinto - RPG drawing on 4000 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Earth legends.
 * Mechanical Dream by SteamLogic
 * Middle Earth Role Play - based on the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien
 * Midgard - the oldest German fantasy RPG
 * Mistborn - based on the Mistborn book series by Brandon Sanderson
 * Monastyr (Polish), Monastery by Portal
 * Mouse Guard - based on comic book series of the same name by David Petersen where all characters are mice and "monsters" are other animals.
 * Multiverser by E.R. Jones and M. Joseph Young
 * Night Wizard! (Japanese) - wizards in contemporary
 * Nobilis by R. Sean Borgstrom
 * OSRIC
 * Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game (1983, 1996) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
 * Pathfinder Roleplaying Game by Paizo Publishing
 * Powers and Perils - by Avalon Hill
 * Rêve: the Dream Ouroboros by Denis Gerfaud (french, Rêve de Dragon)
 * RMFRP (Rolemaster Fantasy Role Playing) by Iron Crown Enterprises - fully expandable and customizable rules system
 * RuneQuest originally by Chaosium, later by Avalon Hill and currently by Mongoose Publishing
 * Scion by White Wolf Publishing
 * Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan by Gold Rush Games
 * Seventh Sea Swashbuckling Adventure and sorcery by Alderac Entertainment Company
 * Shard RPG (anthropomorphic heroic-fantasy) by Shard Studios
 * Skyrealms of Jorune (or just "Jorune")
 * Stormbringer by Chaosium, based on Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories
 * Swordbearer by Heritage Games and Fantasy Games Unlimited
 * Sword World RPG (Japanese)
 * Talislanta by Bard Games
 * The Riddle of Steel by Driftwood Publishing
 * The Shadow of Yesterday by Clinton R. Nixon
 * Tormenta Brazilian RPG by Marcelo Cassaro, J.M. Trevisan, Saladino
 * The Slayers d20 by Guardians of Order
 * Tribe 8 by Dream Pod 9
 * Tunnels and Trolls by Flying Buffalo
 * Trollbabe a game by Ron Edwards (game designer)
 * Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay by Games Workshop
 * Weapons of the Gods by Eos Press - a wuxia-style game based on the manhua comic of the same name.
 * The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game - based on The Wheel of Time novel series by author Robert Jordan
 * Wiedźmin (Polish) by MAG (game)
 * World Of Warcraft by White Wolf Publishing—a roleplaying game book based on the popular computer game by Blizzard
 * World Tree—roleplaying in a high-magic, highly civilized world populated by many sentient species, none of them human.

Historical/period adventure

 * Aces & Eights - Kenzer & Company - Wild West alternate history RPG
 * Adventure! - Pulp adventure by White Wolf Publishing
 * The Adventures of Indiana Jones Role-Playing Game by TSR - based on the Indiana Jones films
 * Boot Hill - TSR - Wild West adventure
 * Bushido - samurai RPG
 * d20 Past by Wizards of the Coast
 * Daredevils - Pulp adventure
 * Dark Ages (World of Darkness)
 * Deadlands: The Weird West
 * Dogs in the Vineyard - loosely based on the Mormon State of Deseret in pre-statehood Utah by Lumpley Games
 * Draug - Norwegian RPG set during the Napoleonic wars. Themes: the early national movement and folklore and superstition, based on the FUDGE engine.
 * Dzikie Pola (Wild Fields), a set in 17th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
 * En Garde! - Duellists from 17th century France published by Game Designers' Workshop and SFC Press.
 * Fantasy Imperium - An Interactive Storytelling Game of Historical Fantasy by Shadowstar Games, Inc.
 * Forgotten Futures
 * Gangbusters by TSR - 1930s urban crime adventure
 * Hollow Earth Expedition by Exile Games Studio - Pulp adventures in the Hollow Earth
 * Justice, Inc. by Hero Games - 1930s Pulp fiction oriented adventure
 * Pendragon (or King Arthur Pendragon) Arthurian legend
 * Space 1889 by Game Designers' Workshop - Victorian Era Sci-Fi
 * Spirit of the Century - Pulp adventure
 * Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
 * Tibet -Historical fantasy set in Tibet circa 1959 during the Chinese invasion. Vajra Enterprises.
 * Twilight 2000 by GDW(1984)
 * Valley of the Pharaohs (1983) - Created by Matthew Balent, published by Palladium Books
 * Vampire: The Dark Ages
 * Victorian Age: Vampire
 * Victoriana By Cubicle 7. Alternate history, magic, and fantasy races.
 * Werewolf: The Wild West
 * The World of Indiana Jones by West End Games
 * Yarr! Pirate RPG By BD Games. Historical Fantasy set in the age of Piracy. A rules-light game for children, beginners, and veteran players alike.

Horror

 * All Flesh Must Be Eaten - Zombie survival horror game by Eden Studios, Inc.
 * Beyond the Supernatural (1987, 2005) - Created by Randy McCall and Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
 * Bureau 13: Stalking the Night Fantastic by Tri Tac Games
 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer - based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show by Eden Studios
 * Call of Cthulhu - based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft
 * Chill
 * Dark Conspiracy
 * Deadlands: The Weird West
 * Dead Inside (game) - A small-press RPG where the characters attempt to rebuild their lost souls through selfless and noble actions (and get superhuman powers along the way)
 * Dead Reign—The Zombie Apocalypse (2008) - Created by Josh Hilden and Joshua Sanford, published by Palladium Books
 * Dread: The First Book of Pandemonium
 * The Everlasting (role-playing game) by Visionary Entertainment Studios Inc
 * Kult - A Swedish game of Kabbalistic and gnostic origins; The tag line is "Death is only the beginning", and the game is widely perceived as one of the darkest RPGs ever created.
 * Little Fears - The Roleplaying Game of Childhood Terror
 * My Life with Master An independently-published comic horror game.
 * Necroscope Published by West End Games based on Brian Lumleys' world of the Necroscope books.
 * Nephilim by Chaosium
 * Nightbane (1995) - Created by C. J. Carella, published by Palladium Books
 * Noctum
 * Over the Edge
 * Sorcerer (role-playing game) by Ron Edwards
 * Sine Requie - Italian horror role-playing game.
 * Trail of Cthulhu by Pelgrane Press
 * Unknown Armies
 * The Whispering Vault - an RPG about god-hunting
 * WitchCraft RPG by Eden Studios
 * World of Darkness product line by White Wolf Publishing
 * Vampire: The Masquerade
 * Werewolf: The Apocalypse
 * Mage: The Ascension
 * Wraith: The Oblivion
 * Changeling: The Dreaming
 * Demon: The Fallen
 * Mummy: The Resurrection
 * Vampire: Kindred of the East
 * Hunter: The Reckoning
 * Victorian Age: Vampire
 * Werewolf: The Wild West
 * Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
 * Wraith: The Great War
 * Vampire: The Dark Ages
 * Dark Ages (World of Darkness)
 * Orpheus (role-playing game)
 * World of Darkness (new) new product line by White Wolf Publishing
 * Vampire: The Requiem
 * Werewolf: The Forsaken
 * Mage: The Awakening
 * Promethean: The Created
 * Changeling: The Lost
 * Hunter: The Vigil
 * Geist: The Sin-Eaters

Humor and satire

 * Bunnies and Burrows
 * Diana: Warrior Princess
 * Fanhunter Spanish game based on the series of comics of the same name
 * Ghostbusters RPG based on the Ghostbusters film series.
 * HackMaster
 * Human Occupied Landfill
 * In Nomine Satanis / Magna Veritas (french) by Croc (Siroz) (satirical gang and spy wars involving angels and demons in the contemporary world)
 * kill puppies for satan
 * Kobolds Ate My Baby
 * Macho Women with Guns
 * Monsters and Other Childish Things
 * Munchkin
 * ''Murphy's World
 * Ninja Burger
 * Pandemonium
 * Paranoia
 * Risus
 * Tales from the Floating Vagabond
 * Teenagers from Outer Space, an anime based RPG.
 * Toon - Cartoon adventure inspired by the classic cartoon series from Warner Brothers and MGM
 * TWERPS
 * Underground

Science fiction

 * 2300 AD - hard science fiction
 * After the Bomb - mutant animals in post-apocalyptic setting
 * Aftermath! - post-apocalyptic
 * Albedo - based on the furry comic book stories by Steve Gallacci
 * Alternity
 * Battlelords of the 23rd Century - space opera
 * Blue Planet - environmentally themed; set in a water planet
 * Buck Rogers XXVC
 * Conspiracy X - aliens, UFOs, and government coverups
 * C°ntinuum - time travel adventure
 * Cthulhutech - Cthulhu Mythos with mecha, horror, magic and futuristic action
 * Cyberpunk 2020 - based on the Mirrorshades authors
 * Cybergeneration - follow-up to Cyberpunk 2020
 * Cyberspace - cyberpunk adaptation of Space Master
 * D6 Space
 * d20 Future - accessory for d20 Modern game
 * Darwin's World - post-apocalyptic
 * The Doctor Who Role Playing Game
 * Deadlands: Hell on Earth - post-apocalyptic western
 * Eclipse Phase - hard science fiction
 * Etherscope - steampunk
 * Ex Machina - cyberpunk
 * Fading Suns - space opera
 * Fringeworthy - alternate history adventure
 * FTL:2448
 * Gamma World - post-apocalyptic fantasy
 * GURPS Cyberpunk
 * GURPS Space
 * Halcyon - cyberpunk
 * Heavy Gear - mecha
 * Incursion
 * Jeremiah: The Roleplaying Game - based on the TV series
 * Jorune - science fantasy
 * Jovian Chronicles - mecha and epic space battles
 * Judge Dredd - based on the future law enforcement comic book series
 * Legionnaire - based on the Renegade Legion space opera strategy boardgames
 * Living Steel
 * Macross II - based on the mecha anime film and manga
 * The Mechanoid Invasion
 * MechWarrior - based on the BattleTech mecha wargame
 * Mekton - inspired by mecha anime
 * The Metabarons Roleplaying Game - based on the Metabarons space opera comic book series
 * Metamorphosis Alpha - the first science fiction role-playing game
 * The Morrow Project - post-apocalyptic
 * Multiverser
 * Mutant - post-apocalyptic
 * Mutant Chronicles - successor to Mutant
 * Neuroshima (Polish) - post-apocalyptic
 * Paranoia - a satire of dystopian futures
 * Pax Draconis - space opera
 * Phoenix Command
 * Prime Directive - set in the Star Trek-derived Star Fleet Universe
 * Reich Star alternate history; fight Nazis in space
 * Rifts - post-apocalyptic
 * Rifts Chaos Earth - spinoff of Rifts
 * Ringworld - based on Larry Niven's novels
 * Robotech - based on the Robotech mecha anime television series
 * Serenity - based on the TV series Firefly and the film Serenity
 * Shatterzone - space opera
 * Shock: Social Science Fiction
 * Skyrealms of Jorune - science fantasy
 * SLA Industries
 * Space 1889 - steampunk
 * Space Master - adaptation of Rolemaster
 * Space Opera
 * Spaceship Zero
 * Splicers
 * Star Frontiers
 * Stargate SG-1
 * Star Hero - adaptation of the Hero System
 * Starship Troopers - based on the novel Starship Troopers and related movies and cartoon series
 * Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)
 * Star Trek Roleplaying Game (Decipher)
 * Star Trek: The Next Generation Role-playing Game
 * Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game (West End Games)
 * Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast)
 * Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Fantasy Flight Games)
 * Star Wreck Roleplaying Game - comedy; based on the Star Wreck fan film series
 * Systems Failure - post-apocalyptic
 * Tales from the Floating Vagabond - comedy
 * Time Lord - a Doctor Who game
 * Tokyo NOVA (Japanese) - cyberpunk
 * Transhuman Space - hard science fiction
 * Traveller
 * Traveller: 2300 - hard science fiction
 * Trinity
 * Twilight 2000 - survivors in the aftermath of World War III
 * Underground - future satire featuring renegade superheroes
 * Universe
 * Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay - space fantasy based on the Warhammer 40,000 wargame
 * Wraeththu - based on the science fantasy novels of Storm Constantine
 * World of Synnibarr

Superhero

 * Aberrant by White Wolf Publishing
 * Big Bang Comics
 * Blood of Heroes
 * Brave New World
 * Capes
 * Cartoon Action Hour by Spectrum Games
 * Champions by Hero Games
 * ''City of Heroes Roleplaying Game
 * DC Heroes by Mayfair Games
 * DC Universe Roleplaying Game by West End Games
 * Double Cross
 * Golden Heroes by Games Workshop
 * GURPS Supers by Steve Jackson Games
 * Heroes Unlimited (1984, 1998) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
 * Marvel Heroic Roleplaying by Margaret Weis Productions
 * Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game by Marvel Publishing Group
 * Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game by TSR
 * Marvel Super Heroes Role-Playing Game by TSR
 * Mutants & Masterminds by Green Ronin Publishing
 * Omlevex
 * Silver Age Sentinels by Guardians of Order
 * Superworld by Chaosium
 * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness (1985) - Created by Erick Wujcik, published by Palladium Books under license from Mirage Studios; based on the original comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
 * Trinity
 * Underground by Mayfair Games
 * Villains and Vigilantes by Fantasy Games Unlimited
 * Wild Talents
 * With Great Power...

Multi-genre and cross-genre

 * CthulhuTech by Wildfire - H.P. Lovecraft's horror with Mecha and Anime influences
 * DragonMech (steampunk/fantasy)
 * Dragonstar (science fiction/fantasy)
 * Godlike (superhero/alternate history)
 * Immortal: The Invisible War - Created by Ron Valerhon. Immortal mixes modern fantasy, horror, science fiction and world mythology.
 * Iron Kingdoms - Based on the Warmachine and Hordes universe by Privateer Press (steampunk/fantasy)
 * Lords of Creation (1983) by Avalon Hill Inc.
 * Numenera (2013) by Monte Cook Games (science fantasy)
 * Rifts (1990) - Created by Kevin Siembieda, published by Palladium Books
 * Sanctum Polis - Rest Eternal Memory Caxton must travel inside of dreams to discover who is responsible for the serial murders taking place at Solaris Notre University.
 * Shadowrun (cyberpunk fantasy)
 * Terra the Gunslinger (Japanese) - western and steampunk, use playing cards instead of dice
 * TORG - published by West End Games
 * Worlds of Wonder by Chaosium
 * Zen and the Art of Mayhem

Other genres

 * Big Eyes, Small Mouth by Guardians of Order - anime based RPG
 * Primetime Adventures by Dog-eared Design

Universal role-playing systems

 * Active Exploits
 * Amazing Engine
 * Basic Role-Playing by Chaosium
 * CORPS by Blacksburg Tactical Research Center
 * ''Cortex System Roleplaying Game
 * d6 System - West End Games' in-house system, based on the Star Wars RPG
 * d20 System - based on Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition rules
 * EABA by Blacksburg Tactical Research Center
 * FATE - Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment based on the FUDGE engine
 * FUDGE - Free, Universal, Do-it-Yourself Gaming Engine by Steffan O'Sullivan
 * Fuzion
 * GURPS - Generic Universal Role Playing System by Steve Jackson (US)
 * Hero System by Hero Games
 * Insight RPG System by NEVR
 * Masterbook by West End Games
 * OGL System by Mongoose Publishing
 * Risus
 * SAGA System - published by TSR
 * Savage Worlds
 * Storyteller System - published by White Wolf Publishing uses D10 only. System used in both WoD's and the Trinity Universe
 * Tri-Stat dX - universal system used in Big Eyes, Small Mouth
 * True20 - Published by Green Ronin Publishing
 * TWERPS
 * Unisystem by Eden Studios, Inc.
 * Universalis by Ramshead Publishing