Do you have a favorite system to run each genre? And if so, what do you like about them?
For example:
- Sci-Fi: Stars Without Number
- Horror: Call of Cthulhu
- Fantasy: Mostly anything other than D&D if I’m the one running it. I’ll play D&D all day long, but I prefer not to have to run it. Magical Kitties Save the Day is fantastic, very well thought out and incredibly easy to teach, learn and run. Though it is best for it’s specific setting, I have attempted a modified version of the system with “converted” D&D characters and it was an absolute blast.
- Fantasy (take 2): Mazes is another one I really like mechanically, though I have yet to run it. Based on reading it and watching actual plays: the mechanics in it are, simply put, elegant. And it allows for super easy/basically instantaneous conversion of old D&D modules/dungeons/monsters if you want to use those.
- Supers: Wild Talents - This game has the most unique dice rolling system I’ve ever used and I love it. Once you grok it, it’s pretty fantastic. Similarly it has an insanely flexible system to build any kind of powers you want, but in a structured, semi-balanced way. It definitely takes some getting used to for how completely different everything is from any other system I’ve ever looked at, but it’s very well put together and flows really well after a little practice.
- Horror: Dread is so good for horror games. The automatic tension building mechanic that is the Jenga tower is brilliant. Forewarning: This one probably won’t be so fun or even playable at all for players who have limited motor functions in their hands/arms because the only randomizing mechanic in the game is pulling blocks out of the Jenga tower without knocking it down.