10 Popular Tabletop RPGs

In today’s booming TTRPG scene, there are games for every genre and play style. Below are ten of the most popular and buzzworthy tabletop RPGs right now (in no particular order), each with a brief overview and a link to an official source where you can learn more.

Fallout: The Roleplaying Game

Fallout: The Roleplaying Game brings the beloved post-nuclear world of Bethesda’s Fallout video game series to the tabletop. Developed by Modiphius Entertainment, it uses their 2d20 system and lets players create characters such as vault dwellers, ghouls, super mutants, or even robots, surviving and adventuring in the radioactive wasteland[1]. This RPG is a great fit for fans of the Fallout games or anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic adventures that mix narrative exploration with tactical combat.

Learn more: See Modiphius’ official Fallout RPG page [1].

Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED is the newest edition of the classic Cyberpunk tabletop RPG, propelling players into a dystopian “dark future” of cybernetic street samurai, netrunners, and megacorporations. Set in the year 2045 (midway between the old Cyberpunk 2020 RPG and the Cyberpunk 2077 video game), this edition features updated mechanics and new lore for a new generation[2]. It’s ideal for gamers who love gritty near-future settings with high-tech weapons, cyberware enhancements, and neon-noir intrigue.

Learn more: Check out R. Talsorian Games’ Cyberpunk RED page[2].

Lancer

Lancer is a science-fiction RPG about customizable mechs and the pilots who crew them. It imagines a future 15,000 years from now where humanity (united under a force called Union) struggles to right the wrongs of the past while expanding to the stars[3]. The game combines rules-light narrative play with gritty tactical combat using giant robots[4]. Players take on the role of mech pilots (“Lancers”) undertaking missions in a universe filled with interstellar politics, rebel colonies, and monstrous aliens. Lancer offers rich lore and deep mech customization, appealing to those who enjoy detailed sci-fi worldbuilding and tactical battles reminiscent of mech video games or anime.

Learn more: Visit Massif Press’s official Lancer page [4].

Candela Obscura

Candela Obscura is an investigative horror RPG from Critical Role’s Darrington Press, placing you in the roles of occult investigators working for a secret order. Set in a haunted, early-20th-century-inspired world, players in Candela Obscura form a circle of investigators who delve into strange occurrences and confront otherworldly “bleed” incursions (magical horrors) besetting the realm[5]. The game uses the new Illuminated Worlds system – a d6 dice-based, narrative-focused ruleset designed for episodic or arc-driven play[6]. This RPG is perfect for fans of cosmic horror and mystery (think Call of Cthulhu or The Magnus Archives vibe) who want a story-driven, accessible game of paranormal investigation.

Learn more: See the official Candela Obscura site[5].

Star Wars Roleplaying (FFG/Edge)

Star Wars Roleplaying (by Fantasy Flight Games, now Edge Studio) is a suite of interconnected RPGs that let you create your own heroes and adventures in a galaxy far, far away. There are three core Star Wars game lines – Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion, and Force and Destiny – each focusing on a different aspect of the Star Wars saga (fringe scoundrels, Rebel Alliance warfare, and Jedi mysticism, respectively)[7]. All three use the same cinematic narrative dice system, which uses special symbol dice to determine not just success/failure but added story twists, capturing the feel of the movies. Whether you’re a smuggler, soldier, or Jedi, the Star Wars RPGs emphasize thrilling pulp action and collaborative storytelling in the iconic Star Wars universe.

Learn more: Visit Edge Studio’s official Star Wars RPG page[7].

Diablo: The Roleplaying Game

Diablo: The Roleplaying Game is an upcoming officially-licensed tabletop adaptation of Blizzard’s Diablo franchise, aiming to translate the fast-paced, dark-fantasy action of the video games into a TTRPG. This game will use a custom six-sided dice pool system (crafted by a team of veteran designers) rather than borrowing rules from D&D[8], and it’s designed to make players feel like powerful, demon-slaying heroes right from the start (no “zero-to-hero” slog – your character begins as a seasoned badass)[9]. Set after the events of Diablo IV, the RPG promises grimdark cinematic action as you battle the hordes and Lords of Hell in the world of Sanctuary[10]. Diablo: The RPG is slated for release in 2026 (with a Kickstarter in late 2025) and is a must-watch for fans of dungeon-crawling games and dark fantasy loot hunts.

Learn more: Check out the official Diablo TTRPG announcement page[10].

Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG

Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG is a brand-new adaptation of Square Enix’s hit MMORPG, allowing fans to experience the world of Eorzea in a tabletop format. The game uses a straightforward d20-based system (familiar to D&D players) and comes in a beginner-friendly Starter Set and a Core Rulebook. In this TTRPG, you and your friends can step into the shoes of heroic adventurers – or assume the Gamemaster’s mantle – and cooperate to forge your own stories within FFXIV’s rich fantasy universe[11][12]. Explore iconic locations, face notorious primals and villains, and undertake quests inspired by the beloved MMO, all guided by your imagination and the roll of the dice. This is a great pick for Final Fantasy XIV fans eager for more lore and adventure, as well as any group looking for a JRPG-flavored tabletop experience.

Learn more: Visit the Square Enix official FFXIV TTRPG site[11].

Vampire: The Masquerade (5th Edition)

Vampire: The Masquerade is the classic game of personal horror that launched the World of Darkness series. In Vampire, you play as immortals of the night—modern-day vampires struggling for survival, supremacy, and your own fading humanity amid a backdrop of gothic intrigue[13]. V5 (Fifth Edition) updates this storytelling RPG for the 21st century while returning to its original vision of “personal and political horror.” Players join clandestine vampire societies, grapple with moral dilemmas (Will you cling to your human values or give in to the Hunger for blood?), and scheme within the dark politics of vampire clans. This game is driven more by narrative and character development than by combat, making it perfect for those who enjoy drama, angst, and horror themes in their RPGs.

Learn more: Visit the official World of Darkness page for Vampire: The Masquerade [13].

Daggerheart

Daggerheart is a new epic fantasy RPG from Critical Role’s Darrington Press, designed as a fresh alternative to traditional high-fantasy games. It features some innovative mechanics – characters are built and progressed with decks of cards rather than long lists of stats, and the core resolution uses a pair of 12-sided dice called Hope and Fear. This dual-dice system means every roll has the potential to generate advantageous Hope or dangerous Fear resources, which players and GMs use to twist the narrative in interesting ways[14][15]. Daggerheart encourages GMs and players to collaboratively build the world and story, emphasizing bold character choices and emergent storytelling alongside its tactical combats[16][17]. With streamlined rules and quick onboarding, it’s aimed at groups seeking a campaign-focused fantasy game that balances narrative freedom with crunchy combat.

Learn more: Check out the official Daggerheart website[16].

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is the world’s most famous tabletop RPG – the one that started it all. First published in 1974, D&D is widely recognized as the beginning of modern role-playing games and remains the industry’s cornerstone title[18]. In D&D, players create fantasy adventurers (fighters, wizards, rogues, clerics, etc.) and form a party that delves into dangerous worlds of swords and sorcery, guided by a Dungeon Master who serves as the game’s referee and storyteller[19][20]. The gameplay mixes cooperative storytelling with dice-driven conflict resolution – for example, rolling a 20-sided die to see if an attack hits, or if a character can spot a hidden trap. Thanks to decades of development, D&D offers a vast array of published adventures, settings, and options, making it easy for newcomers to jump in while providing endless depth for veterans. It’s a versatile system that can handle heroic dungeon crawls, political intrigue, slapstick misadventures – whatever style your group enjoys.

Learn more: Visit the official Dungeons & Dragons hub (D&D Beyond).

Sources: The information above was compiled from official sites and announcements for each game, including publisher pages and press releases[1][2][4][5][7][10][11][13][16][19]. Each “Learn more” link points to an official source where you can find rulebooks, product info, or free materials to delve deeper into that TTRPG. Enjoy exploring these worlds!

[1] Fallout – Modiphius Entertainment

Fallout

[2] The Roleplaying Game of the Dark Future – R. Talsorian Games