Vecna's Eye

by Tim Morgan

Since this month's theme is horror, I thought I'd take a quick look at what sort of horror-type games are around. Most of these are traditional roleplaying games, but there are a few card games as well.

Call of Cthulhu, by Chaosium

Probably the longest running Horror RPG out there, this excellent game based on the writings of American author H. P. Lovecraft.  The "Cthulhu-esqe" writings for this game have now far out-produced Lovecraft's writings, but many of their adventures are just as good and just as readable as fiction, as that of the old master.  Chaosium also publishes and excellent series of novels and collections of short stories of this genre.

Ravenloft, by TSR

This setting for the AD&D game was inspired by the excellent module, I6 Ravenloft by Tracy Hickman, the spookiest module ever written for Dungeons and Dragons.  The setting is placed in the Demi-plane of Dread, where arch villains plot and scheme against each other.  TSR also published a boxed set called Masque of the Red Death, a setting for AD&D set in Victorian Earth.  Quite a stretch for that game system.

Nightmares of Mine, by ICE

While not a game in and of itself, this book is a fabulous guide to running a horror game.  It is a must-read for anyone new to running scary games.  I definitely recommend it!

Bureau 13, by Tri Tac

Players are part of an elite, troubleshooting team that go around the world killing aliens, vampires and anything else that isn't supposed to exist.  Probably not really a horror game, but I have seen it run as one and it does involve many supernatural creatures.

Chill, by Mayfair

Players are part of a team of paranormal investigators in this one too, but it's more a horror game than a "let's see what kind of monster we can hunt down and kill" game.

GURPS Horror, by Steve Jackson Games

A sourcebook for the GURPS system describing and defining "Horror" games as well as depicting several historical settings for them.

GURPS Creatures of the Night, by Steve Jackson Games

The sourcebook containing numerous horrific creatures designed to be the focus of mystery and suspense-filled games.

This group of games falls into the category of "Immortals Living Among Us," and while not strictly a game about horror, do often concern themselves with many traditional horror themes and creatures.

Immortal, by Precedence Publishing

In Nomine, by Steve Jackson Games

Nephilim, by Chaosium

Nightlife, by Stellar Games

Vampire: The Masquerade, by White Wolf

(as well as Werewolf, Mage, Wraith, Changeling, and all other World of Darkness products)

Witchcraft, by Eden Studios

--Tim Morgan

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