If you’ve been curious about tabletop RPGs but find D&D overwhelming, or you’re a veteran player looking for something fresh, Free League Publishing games might be exactly what you’re looking for. As a GM who specializes in Free League systems, I’ve seen how these games create incredible experiences for players of all backgrounds
What Makes Free League Special
Free League Publishing has mastered something many game companies struggle with: creating systems that are easy to learn but deep enough to keep you engaged for years. Here’s what sets them apart:
Elegant Mechanics: Most Free League games use intuitive dice systems. Roll some dice, count successes, tell an amazing story. No complex math or lengthy charts.
Gorgeous Production: These aren’t just games – they’re art pieces. The books are beautiful, and that visual appeal helps players get immersed in the world immediately.
Focused Themes: Each game knows exactly what story it wants to tell and gives you everything you need to tell it well.
My Free League Favorites (And Why I Love Running Them)
Vaesen – Nordic Gothic Horror Supernatural meets Grim in mythic 19th-century Scandinavia, Vaesen puts players in the role of investigators dealing with supernatural creatures from Nordic folklore. It’s perfect for players who want mystery and atmosphere without the cosmic horror of Call of Cthulhu.
Why I love GMing it: The folklore is rich and unfamiliar to most players, so everything feels fresh and mysterious. And as Vaesen are not “evil,” most investigations offer players an interesting Trolley Problem.
Coriolis – The Great Dark The thrill and danger of 19th-century exploration set against a remote outpost of humanity, slowly dying. Players are members of a guild working to uncover ancient mysteries, while dealing with political intrigue and very human problems.
Why I love GMing it: As I said in my review of the game, “The Great Dark offers something genuinely special. It includes the thrill of archaeological mystery-solving in a universe where ancient secrets might save or doom humanity. It’s exploration, not as adventure, but as a desperate necessity, and that makes all the difference.”
The Electric State – Retro-Futuristic Road Trip Based on Simon Stålenhag’s artbook of the same name, this game captures the feeling of a 1990s America that went down a different technological and hostile path. Think of the old TV show Route 66 if it was set in post-capitalist, failing America.
Why I love GMing it: The nostalgia factor is incredible, and the road trip structure makes every session feel like a new adventure.
Dragonbane – Classic Fantasy, Modern Rules This is Free League’s take on classic fantasy adventure, but with their signature elegant mechanics and beautiful presentation.
Why I love GMing it: All the fun of dungeon crawling and dragon fighting, but rules that get out of the way of the story.
Perfect for New Players
Free League games excel at onboarding new players because:
- Quick character creation gets you playing fast
- Intuitive rules mean less time checking books
- Strong themes help players understand what their character should do
- Beautiful books make the hobby feel premium and welcoming
Perfect for Experienced Players
Veterans love Free League games because:
- Fresh settings break you out of fantasy/sci-fi defaults
- Elegant mechanics let you focus on roleplay over rules mastery
- Mature themes tackle complex subjects with nuance
- GM support gives you everything needed to run great sessions
Experience Them Yourself
Want to try a Free League game? I run regular online sessions featuring all these systems, plus convention games where you can try before you commit to a campaign. Every Session 0 is free, so you can get a feel for the system and see if it clicks for your group.
Check out my convention schedule or book an online session to discover why Free League games are taking the RPG world by storm.