Fantasy OSR and NSR games
This is a list of OSR and NSR roleplaying games, as well as some games that don’t really fit either description but are often mentioned whenever the topic comes up.
It is rather difficult to introduce the concept of OSR because, since its introduction over 15 years ago, it has become somewhat nebulous: a diversity of its manifestations is accompanied by conflicting orthodoxies and anti-orthodoxies. What is widely recognized as the uncontroversial essence of the OSR phenomenon is represented by the first two letters of its acronym: the OSR movement is defined by its relation to the so-called Old-School games. (The R, on the other hand, is variously expanded as Renaissance, Revival, or Revolution.)
It is less certain how this “old-school” category is to be understood: one popular approach conceives it as coextensive with Dungeon & Dragons games published by TSR, Inc. from 1970s to 1990s; but another tendency includes many other games from the same time that shared certain common design traits. In any case, the oldest and most prominent type of OSR games are the “retroclones”: modernized restatements of the rules of these classic games, sometimes streamlined and tweaked, but generally aiming for high compatibility with the original mechanics.
To complicate matters further, according to a frequently voiced opinion, OSR is not tied to any specific rulesets or game mechanics, but refers mainly to a spirit or a style of play. Its defining features include a focus on player skill (rather than character skill), the role of the Dungeon Master as a neutral arbiter, an emphasis on exploration and problem-solving, and a largely minimalistic and free-form attitude to game mechanics, embodied by the motto “rulings, not rules”.
Since OSR proliferated as an online phenomenon based on the free exchange of ideas between the fans, it developed another important characteristic: the ethos of DIY, open source, and personal creativity. Many published OSR products are so-called “hacks”: innovative modifications of existing rulesets (in fact, some of the most popular releases at the present are hacks of hacks of hacks!). Moreover, the players using these rules are encouraged to freely pick and mix between mechanical elements of various systems, rather than follow any single one of them to the letter.
This DIY and hacking mindset led to a formation of a category that can be viewed either as a subset of the OSR proper, or as a separate parallel scene. It is variously called NSR (New School Revolution), Nu-OSR, post-OSR, or “OSR-adjacent”. Again, there are multiple divergent definitions out there. But I think it’s best to understand the NSR strand as characterized by the focus on mechanical innovation, a more adventurous approach to settings, and a lack of strict mechanical compatibility with the original games of the 1980s. The NSR systems are often minimalist and treat the actual old-school games as sources of inspiration rather than dogmas to be followed.
I don’t claim that my list can serve as a reliable guide to this confusing landscape. However, it may provide insight into what is popular and most frequently recommended.
Because actual old-school games cannot be considered OSR by definition, there are no TSR products on the list, and no Tunnels & Trolls or The Fantasy Trip either. However, after some deliberation, I decided to include the games falling outside the D&D lineage, such as RuneQuest and Traveller derivatives. More controversially, there is also at least one title that isn’t OSR by any metric, but was so frequently and consistently suggested in my sources as an alternative recommendation that it managed to squeeze in: Shadow of the Demon Lord.
I restricted the list to the games with (explicit or implied) settings that could be conceivably described as fantasy. I plan to publish another list with OSR-style games belonging to less standard genres in the future.
If you’re looking for adventures rather than systems, I also maintain a list of OSR and old-school D&D modules.
Old-School Essentials
B/X D&D retroclone
5 figs out of 5
Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC)
d20-based new system · Strong theme
5 figs out of 5
Worlds Without Number (WWN)
Sine Nomine system · Crunchy · Strong theme
4.5 figs out of 5
Knave
B/X-compatible · Light
4.5 figs out of 5
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
B/X D&D retroclone
4.5 figs out of 5
Into the Odd
d20-based new system · Light · Strong theme
4.5 figs out of 5
Electric Bastionland
Based on Into the Odd · Light · Strong theme
4.5 figs out of 5
Lamentations of the Flame Princess (LotFP)
B/X D&D retroclone · Strong theme
4.5 figs out of 5
The Black Hack
d20-based new system · Light
4.5 figs out of 5
Whitehack
d20-based new system
4.5 figs out of 5
Swords & Wizardry
OD&D (0e) retroclone
4.5 figs out of 5
Swords & Wizardry Continual Light
Based on Swords & Wizardry · Light
4.5 figs out of 5
Cairn
Based on Into the Odd and Knave · Light
4 figs out of 5
Beyond the Wall and Other Adventures
Based on B/X D&D · Strong theme
4 figs out of 5
Through Sunken Lands and Other Adventures
Based on Beyond the Wall · Strong theme
4 figs out of 5
White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game
OD&D (0e) retroclone · Light
4 figs out of 5
Mörk Borg
d20-based new system · Light · Strong theme
4 figs out of 5
Maze Rats
2d6-based new system · Light
4 figs out of 5
Hyperborea (AS&SH)
Based on AD&D (1e) · Crunchy · Strong theme
4 figs out of 5
Five Torches Deep
Based on 5e D&D
4 figs out of 5
Labyrinth Lord
B/X D&D retroclone
3.5 figs out of 5
Castles & Crusades
d20-based new system · Crunchy
3.5 figs out of 5
Troika!
Based on Advanced Fighting Fantasy (2d6) · Strong theme
3.5 figs out of 5
Mausritter
Based on Into the Odd · Light · Strong theme
3.5 figs out of 5
Mythras Classic Fantasy
Based on RuneQuest (d100) · Crunchy
3.5 figs out of 5
OpenQuest
Based on RuneQuest (d100) · Light
3.5 figs out of 5
Adventurer Conqueror King System (ACKS)
Based on B/X D&D
3.5 figs out of 5
Old School Reference and Index Compilation (OSRIC)
AD&D (1e) retroclone · Crunchy
3.5 figs out of 5
Low Fantasy Gaming
Based on 5e D&D
3.5 figs out of 5
Shadow of the Demon Lord
d20-based new system (inspired by WFRP) · Crunchy · Strong theme
3.5 figs out of 5
The Sword of Cepheus
Based on Traveller (2d6) · Strong theme
3.5 figs out of 5
Sharp Swords & Sinister Spells
Based on The Black Hack · Light · Strong theme
3.5 figs out of 5
Index Card RPG (ICRPG)
d20-based new system
3.5 figs out of 5
Macchiato Monsters
Based on The Black Hack and Whitehack · Light
3 figs out of 5
HackMaster 5e
d20-based new system · Crunchy
3 figs out of 5
HackMaster 4e
Based on AD&D 2e · Crunchy
3 figs out of 5
Forbidden Lands
Xd6-based new system
3 figs out of 5
Shadowdark
Based on 5e D&D
3 figs out of 5
Warlock!
Inspired by WFRP (d100) · Light · Strong theme
3 figs out of 5
Delving Deeper
OD&D (0e) retroclone
3 figs out of 5
The Nightmares Underneath
d20-based new system · Strong theme
3 figs out of 5
Neoclassical Geek Revival
d20-based new system · Crunchy
3 figs out of 5
Lavender Hack
Based on various OSR games
3 figs out of 5
Barbarians of Lemuria
2d6-based new system · Strong theme
3 figs out of 5
For Gold & Glory
AD&D 2e retroclone · Crunchy
3 figs out of 5
Into the Unknown
Based on 5e D&D
2.5 figs out of 5
Fantastic Heroes & Witchery
Based on AD&D (1e) · Crunchy
2.5 figs out of 5
Dungeon Fantasy (GURPS)
Based on GURPS (3d6) · Crunchy
2.5 figs out of 5
Vaults of Vaarn
Based on Knave · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
The Hero's Journey
d20-based new system · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Blueholme
Holmes Basic D&D retroclone · Light
2.5 figs out of 5
Dark Dungeons
BECMI Rules Cyclopedia D&D retroclone
2.5 figs out of 5
Against the Darkmaster
Based on MERP (d100) · Crunchy · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Zweihänder
WFRP (d100) retroclone · Crunchy · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Black Sword Hack
Based on The Black Hack · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Errant
d20-based new system
2.5 figs out of 5
Ultraviolet Grasslands / SEACAT
d20-based new system · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Crypts & Things
Based on Swords & Wizardry · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Best Left Buried
d20-based new system · Strong theme
2.5 figs out of 5
Blood & Treasure
Based on various D&D editions · Crunchy
2 figs out of 5
Warpland
2d6-based new system · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Perdition
B/X-compatible · Crunchy · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Brave
Based on Knave · Light
2 figs out of 5
Freebooters on the Frontier
Based on Dungeon World (2d6)
2 figs out of 5
Trophy
Based on Cthulhu Dark (Xd6) · Light · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Tunnel Goons
2d6-based new system · Light
2 figs out of 5
Scarlet Heroes
Sine Nomine system · 1 player + GM · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Lion & Dragon
Based on B/X D&D · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Grave
Based on Knave · Strong theme
2 figs out of 5
Dungeon World
Based on PbtA (2d6) · Light
2 figs out of 5
Iron Falcon
OD&D (0e) retroclone
2 figs out of 5