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It has probably never been easier to start playing role-playing games than it is today. At the same time, it's easy to think that the hobby is bigger, more complicated, or more "hardcore" than it actually is. Many imagine thick rulebooks, advanced character sheets, and groups that have been playing together for ten years.
But the truth is that modern role-playing games are often very welcoming. Many games are built for beginners, some require hardly any preparation at all, and today there are even role-playing games that work solo or for just two people.
For many of us, the curiosity also begins with a name that brings back memories: Drakar och Demoner (Dragons and Demons). A game that has been a part of Swedish gaming culture for decades and has now been given new life in a modern version that is easier to get into than many might think.
Read on as we go through some of our favorite games for new role-players, from classic fantasy adventures to story-driven games without a game master.
What exactly is a role-playing game?
If you've never played before, the short version is quite simple:
A role-playing game is a collaborative storytelling where players portray different characters in a world full of mysteries, conflicts, and adventures. One person usually acts as the game master, describing the world, the people, and what is happening around the group.
The rest of the players decide what their characters want to do.
Perhaps they explore ruins, try to solve a mystery, negotiate with a suspicious innkeeper, or flee from something very large and very angry deep in a cave.
Dice are often used to determine outcomes, but the most important thing is almost always the conversations around the table. Role-playing is less about "winning" and more about experiencing something together.
And there are many different ways to play.
Drakar och Demoner – the perfect entry into fantasy role-playing
For many, Drakar och Demoner Basic Set is the first name that comes to mind when Swedish fantasy is mentioned.
The new version achieves something quite special. It feels true to the classic feeling many remember, but at the same time modern and much easier to get started with.
This is a game full of classic fantasy. Ruins to explore, dangerous forests, strange creatures, and adventurers who are often a bit brave and a bit unprepared at the same time.
The Basic Set contains practically everything needed to start playing:
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rules
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pre-written adventures
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maps
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dice
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character sheets
This makes the barrier to entry very low for a new group.
One of the things many appreciate about Drakar och Demoner is also its pace. The rules are clear without dominating the entire experience. It's quite quick to create a character and even quicker to start improvising stories together.
And perhaps most importantly: the game encourages creativity rather than perfection. You don't need to be able to "play correctly" to have fun.
Sagospelet Äventyr – a fantastic first role-playing game for families with children
Sagospelet Äventyr Basic Game is one of the games we often recommend to families who are curious about role-playing but don't quite know where to start.
Here, the focus is on a fairy-tale feel, the joy of discovery, and adventure rather than dark fantasy or complicated rules. This makes the game very easy for younger players to get into.
Many adults are also pleasantly surprised at how naturally role-playing works with children. There's something beautiful in seeing how quickly children accept fantasy as a game world. They rarely need to be persuaded to talk to trolls, examine mysterious maps, or come up with their own solutions.
Sagospelet Äventyr is also written in a way that makes it easy for parents who have never played role-playing games before to be the game master.
There's often less "performance pressure" than many might think. You don't need to be an actor or an expert on rules. Being curious together goes a long way.
Alice is Missing – role-playing in a completely different way
Alice is Missing is a very special game and often one of those games that makes people realize how broad the role-playing hobby actually is.
Here you play as teenagers in a small town where Alice has disappeared.
The unusual thing is that the game is played almost entirely in silence. Instead, players communicate via text messages during the game. No one needs to be the game master, and the story unfolds collaboratively while music plays in the background and clues slowly emerge.
It's more subdued and emotional than traditional fantasy, but also very accessible to people who might not feel comfortable improvising loudly around a table.
Many who otherwise wouldn't have thought that role-playing was "their thing" are often surprised by how powerful the experience can be.
Solo role-playing actually exists – and Godspark is a fine example
One thing many miss is that role-playing today doesn't always require large groups.
Godspark is designed for 1–2 players and shows how intimate and personal role-playing can be.
It's perfect for:
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people who want to try role-playing without gathering an entire group
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couples who want to play together
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those who enjoy storytelling and creative writing
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players who want a calmer and more reflective experience
Solo role-playing has grown tremendously in recent years and fulfills quite an exciting function within the hobby. It allows you to explore stories and characters completely at your own pace.
It can almost feel like a mixture of a diary, a story, and a game.
And for many, it actually becomes a very good way into role-playing in general.
What accessories do you actually need?
The great thing about role-playing is that you don't actually need very much to get started. But some accessories can make the experience both smoother and more atmospheric.
A good set of role-playing dice
Almost all role-playing games use different types of dice, and there's something special about having your own set.
A Role Playing Dice Set – Grey Frost is a classic example of a complete role-playing set with several different dice types.
It's also a small part of the hobby that many quickly get hooked on. Suddenly you're comparing colors, materials, and favorite d20s between game sessions.
It happens to almost everyone sooner or later.
Game master screen – unexpectedly practical
For the game master, a Drakar och Demoner Game Master Screen is very useful.
It helps keep rules close at hand while also creating a bit of extra atmosphere around the table. Many game masters also use the screen to hide notes, maps, or secret dice rolls.
It's one of those things you might not think you need at first, but which quickly becomes a favorite at the gaming table.
Maps and pens make it easier to visualize the adventure
When the group starts exploring caves, ancient ruins, or planning how to get past guards, maps suddenly become a lot of fun.
Tabletop RPG Grid Mat Campaign Kit makes it easy to quickly sketch out locations during the game.
It certainly doesn't need to be used in every game, but many groups appreciate how much easier it becomes to follow the action and planning when everyone can see the world in front of them.
The most important thing is actually just to start
Many wait a little too long before trying role-playing. They think they first need to read all the rules, find the perfect group, or feel knowledgeable enough.
But role-playing rarely works that way in practice.
The best game nights often arise when someone just says:
"Shall we give it a try?"
Maybe it will be chaotic. Someone forgets rules. A character makes a disastrous decision. The group gets stuck in a discussion about how to open a door for forty minutes.
That's also part of the charm.
And today there are more ways than ever to find a role-playing game that suits the type of experience you're looking for – whether you want to play classic fantasy, family adventures, emotional stories, or solo at home on the couch on a rainy evening.
