{"id":836420,"date":"2025-12-11T19:56:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T19:56:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/j5kSqg6Zf8kqYu9HDUZoHH"},"modified":"2025-12-11T19:56:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T19:56:48","slug":"the-coolest-tabletop-rpgs-based-on-videogames-from-fallout-to-dragon-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/the-coolest-tabletop-rpgs-based-on-videogames-from-fallout-to-dragon-age\/","title":{"rendered":"The coolest tabletop RPGs based on videogames, from Fallout to Dragon Age"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Videogames have always taken inspiration from and adapted tabletop RPGs\u2014from Vampire: The Masquerade to Cyberpunk to, of course, Dungeons & Dragons. Something most people don't realise, however, is how much the relationship flows both ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whatever your favourite videogame is, chances are there's a great tabletop RPG adaptation out there. Some are official, directly based on the source material; others are inspired by it, and put their own spin on the idea (or simply file all the serial numbers off).\u00a0<\/p>\n

This list brings together some of the coolest ones you can play today\u2014take a look, and before you know it you'll have a new campaign brewing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Official adaptations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fallout<\/h2>\n

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If you're a fan of Bethesda's open world Fallout games (or the recent hit TV show<\/a>), you're certainly well-served on the tabletop. The official TTRPG by Modiphius<\/a> is mechanically straightforward but really shines in how authentic it feels to the series, from its evocative art to its quirky graphic design and countless faithful touches. You even use bottle caps as tokens in play.<\/p>\n

The game has a substantial library of expansions and adventures, and if you like playing with miniatures, there's a full range available, because Modiphius also make two Fallout wargames: Wasteland Warfare<\/a> and Factions<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The same publisher also has TTRPGs based on Dishonored<\/a> and Homeworld<\/a>, using the same system and with similarly lavish production values.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dragon Age<\/h2>\n

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First released back in 2010, Green Ronin's Dragon Age TTRPG<\/a> never quite had the life and support you'd expect from such a big name, but it's still a lovely game. There's an old school charm to its take on fantasy adventure, with some clever new ideas thrown in to make it feel fresh and exciting. The stunt system is particularly good, a mechanic that means every roll to hit in combat has a chance to generate points you can spend on getting cool extra effects like disarming a foe or knocking them prone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though the range of supplements is small, successor Fantasy AGE<\/a> uses the core rules, making it easy to adapt monsters, adventures, and more from that range into your Dragon Age campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you do fancy running a Dragon Age tabletop campaign, pick up Dark Horse's World of Thedas books<\/a> too, if you can. They're not actually TTRPG books, but they're packed with all the setting lore and adventure inspiration a GM could ever want.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mutant: Year Zero<\/h2>\n

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I'm cheating a bit already\u2014Mutant: Year Zero<\/a> existed on tabletops first, and was then adapted into the videogame Road to Eden<\/a>. But it's too good a TTRPG for me to not give it a nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Its quirky but deadly post-apocalypse is wonderfully atmospheric, brought to life both by elegant rules and gorgeous artwork. Different standalone books let you play as mutants, talking animals, or escaped robots, each with their own unique mechanics and complete campaign to experience. Don't expect the very tactical combat of the videogame\u2014fights are quicker and nastier in the TTRPG\u2014but if you played it and loved the idea of scavenging ancient ruins as a talking duck with a crossbow, Mutant: Year Zero has got what you're after.<\/p>\n

Free League makes a whole range of really beautiful and smartly designed licensed RPGs\u2014I particularly love The One Ring<\/a>, and Alien: Isolation fans should check out the Alien RPG<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And more…<\/h2>\n

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