Dread RPG

by The Impossible Dream

**This is NOT a book. A super-librarian is needed to remove this false entry from the Goodreads catalogue.**

Winner of the 2006 Gold Ennie for innovation.

Beyond the door we could hear the highway, the cars, the trucks, the roar of freedom. Beyond the door. But the twenty feet between us and the door, between us and the highway... Only the lighter's dying blue flame interrupted that ocean of darkness... where It waited, just where we left It.

Explore hostile worlds of your own creation with Dread, a game carved from the intense emotions buried in your favorite horror stories. Through individually crafted questionnaires, players are coaxed into revealing their characters' abilities, shortcomings, personalities, and fears. These characters are plunged into macabre tales devised by the host. When moments of conflict and peril arise in the story, it is the players' nerves, rather than the whims of dice, that determine the fates of their characters.

Genres: Role Playing Games, Horror, Games

Reviews

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dread is a horror role-playing game (although it could probably be modified to work with other genres) that uses a Jenga tower instead of dice to resolve player actions. If a player topples the tower, then they are thematically eliminated from the game (their character goes insane, gets killed, runs for the hills, etc. Whatever is appropriate for the situation). It is a pretty neat mechanic that really ramps up the tension, making any moment potentially a characters last.

[Victoria Hawco · Rating 5 out of 5]

God I want to play this so bad.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How well a game like Dread works is really up in the air. Its core is a remarkably suspenseful, but ultimately incredibly high stakes, resolution system of pulling blocks from a Jenga tower. I can imagine myself GMing Dread being reluctant to call for block pulls for all but the most extreme of situations. The rulebook itself does well to accentuate its horror themes with the pervasive string of Character Questionnaire prompts at the bottom of the page, many or most of them with a dark and/or emotionally vulnerable tinge to them. Where the book falls short, however, is in its wordiness. Nearly every chapter could afford to be easily 1/3 to 1/2 as long as it currently is. There aren't a ton of rules that require referencing, but the density and repetition means that come game time, I would more than likely just make a ruling and never reference the text again.

[Javier Viruete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dread is a horror role-playing game, which presents two novelties that differentiate it from any other conventional role-playing game (contemporary or not) and connect it with much more narrative or experimental games.

On the one hand, the game does not use dice, cards or any other randomisers, but a game of Jenga, which the players will develop. When it falls, the player who performed the last action will die or be doomed, making the tension increase every time they have to make a pull.

Characters, on the other hand, are completed by filling out a predetermined form for each adventure, which gives some leeway and agency to build the character, while keeping him or her tied to the particular scenario to be played.

These two features create something unique at the gaming table, which while exclusive to on-shots and not for everyone, is interesting enough for any RPG fan (and especially horror fans) to get to know.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, rules-light(er) TTRPG with a focus on horror. While I haven’t had the chance to play this at my table yet, I am excited to give it a shot.

But this is a review of the book, not the game. Overall, the book works well, although it can tend to be a little wordy and redundant at times. My issue is mostly with the layout. Several pages throughout have side panels or references, but the delineation isn’t always clear. Additionally, sometimes the panels appear at odd times, disrupting the flow or point the book is trying to communicate. It’s a small quibble, but it can diminish the overall read and the ability to find a ruling quickly.

Does this count as a book, especially in regard to my yearly reading challenge? Well, it’s on this site, it’s got an ISBN, and it got me to take time out of my day to focus on reading. So I’d say that counts.

[Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating game! I also adore the voice in which it is written, as well as the eae of reading with the marrow and the flesh. The combat feels a little unclear to me, I think because it is lighter on mechanics than what I am used to personally (Pathfinder, the most mechanically convoluted ttrpg imo), however it is definitely something I could get used to. I recommend everyone use a Tower that has been used before, as a new Tower will remove a character in the first 30 minutes (oops!). Super excited to try it again with a Tower made from 2x4s.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few RPG rulebooks and this one has so much wonderful advice for the story teller. How do you make unique and believable NPCs? How do you make immersive scenes for your game? How do you weave a cohesive narrative that allows for player agency?
It certainly doesn't hurt that I also like the scary story vibe and the Jenga tower mechanic.
Buy this book. Support this game maker.
Honestly, this is a good read even if you just want to up your DM/GM/ST skills for another RPG.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing game. love it. will play again. might log my games here.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever concept and good atmosphere, but not sure how it'll hold up in gameplay.

[Jason Comely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expected schlocky horror and was pleasantly surprised with a truly innovative rpg with great story ideas. Give this a look.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great game, not the greatest rule book.