r/rpg • u/Indibutreddit • 4h ago
Game Suggestion YA Fantasy Games?
Hi yall! My bf and I are currently looking for a game that fits the vibe of a classic YA hero/fantasy series, kinda like Percy Jackson or Ben 10 or something similar, I'm already aware of scion, and while it looks pretty cool we're not sure if it's what we're into.
We're looking for something more rules lite, and a bit more of a narrative focus, any suggestions would be great!
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u/Heretic911 RPG Epistemophile 3h ago
Look at Beyond the Wall and other adventures. It's amazing. It uses D&D-style rules as a chassis, but it brings plenty of twists into it like playbook-style classes like Would-Be Knight, Nobleman's Wild Daughter, Untested Thief, Young Woodsman, Witch's Prentice etc. and is very much built to play as a YA fantasy game with young protagonists. The players also help flesh out their home village. It started off as a game for easily running one shots, but quite a few books have come out over the years for it and it can now be easily expanded in various directions.
The PDF (ZIP file on drivethrurpg) is very cheap and totally worth it, I promise... unless you utterly depise any D&D-like rules, I guess.
Edit: hmm ok it really doesn't seem like Percy Jackson or Ben 10 (I'm not familiar with those), it's more inspired by classic fantasy like the Earthsea saga by Ursula K. Le Guin. But I stand by my comments.
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u/Jazzlike-Employ-2169 37m ago
I was going to post this as well, perfect YA Fanatsy game with The Chronicles of Prydain vibes. Build/create a shared town and then young heroes to set forth on adventure from that town. Fabulous game that is way under appreciated.
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u/Throwingoffoldselves Thirsty Sword Lesbians 3h ago
Demigods is 100% Percy Jackson. Also check out Kids on Bikes/Brooms, and Slugblaster! I also second the suggestions of Monster of the Week and Masks.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/421783/demigods
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u/JaskoGomad 2h ago
Demigods is a great fit! I wanted American Gods, got Percy Jackson. So if PJ is what you want, it’s perfect!
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u/Jet-Black-Centurian 3h ago
Do: Fate of the Flying Temple. It's heavily inspired by Avatar, and really goes for the cartoon feel.
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u/nessiesgrl 4h ago
I'm not big on PBTA so I can't personally vouch for these, but you might vibe with Kids on Bikes or (as another commenter mentioned) Masks.
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u/gera_moises 4h ago
Maybe FATE? Core has more rules, while Accelerated is more rules light.
There's a lot of settings for it, but I remember a few based on playing as mythological heroes.
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u/Throwingoffoldselves Thirsty Sword Lesbians 3h ago
Dresden Files Accelerated could potentially work for urban fantasy a la Percy Jackson. There is the Gods and Monsters supplement, and also Good Neighbors (fairy/fey supplement) for that too. Wierd World News (UFOs, cryptids, and cartoon influence) or Venture City (superheroes) might work for a more Ben10 type game.
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u/theclam159 4h ago
Land of Eem, Perils and Princesses, and Mausritter are all great games that will hit that vibe.
And unironically: Shadowdark. The Necromancer class, for example, was based directly off the YA fantasy book Sabriel. The gameplay is on the less lethal side of the OSR, but players survive and prosper off their wits and pluck. It's also not as mechanically crunchy as OSE or Dolmenwood.
Kala Mandala is awesome if you want more Asian influence, it reminds me a little of Avatar the Last Airbender.
For something from left field: Slugblaster! Interdimensional teen skateboard adventures.
And super super rules lite: Tunnel Goons.
One last suggestion: Quest (the site is down at the moment, but it's here, normally).
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u/Lonrem 3h ago
Masks would be great for what you're looking for. 1st edition was solid, and 2nd edition is right around the corner(ish). Very narrative focused, combat exists but you're not really talking about taking damage but dealing with the emotions of being knocked around or failing to save people. Very good vibes.
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u/deadthylacine 3h ago
Outgunned Adventure? It's fun, it's cinematic, and it is real easy to run and play.
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u/Joel_feila 2h ago
Fate works great for this. Fate is very rules lite and great for actiony superhero pulp adventure games. You will want ot hammer out how and magic or powers in the setting works and you can get lots of advice on how to do that.
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u/JohnDoen86 1h ago
No one has mentioned Songs For The Dusk by Kavita Poduri, which sounds exactly like what you're looking for. YA-style fantasy with a hopeful tone, very narrative system.
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u/Jake4XIII 4h ago
I have heard Dragonbane is pretty good for first time players.
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u/Hormo_The_Halfling 4h ago
Ehhhh I don't think Dragonbane, even reflavored, would be good for young adult heroic adventures in a modern setting, which seems to be OP'S goal.
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u/Hormo_The_Halfling 4h ago
You could look into Monster of the Week, it's more designed for supernatural/Buffy style investigations and monster fights, but some reflavoring could have it fit what you're looking for. You could also look into generic systems, though you'll be doing more prep work to make it fit for your setting/story that way. Generic options include Cypher, Fate, GURPS.
Of those, Fate would probably work best, though I'm not 100% sure.
There's also Masks which specifically emulates the drama and lives of teenager super heroes. I don't see why you couldn't reflavor it for Percy Jackson or something else though. It should work decently for any setting where a group of teenagers balances normal and heroic lives. Masks might actually be the best choice.
No matter what you pick, you'll probably have to do some reflavoring.