Revisiting My Top Three Rules-Lite Games for 2024

There's been some jockeying at the top due to new ranking criteria.

Last year I posted a video of my top three rules-lite rpgs. They were:

1. Tricube Tales
2. Tiny Dungeon 2e
3. EZD6

It was my first attempt to rank the games that introduced me to rules-lite ecosystem. However, my ratings weren’t informed by a broad swath of games and experiences with solo and group play. To remedy that, over the past year I’ve investigated and experimented with some new-to-me games and some re-ranking is in order.

But before I share my top 3 rules-lite games for 2024, I decided to rank them using a more technical rating system to ensure my ranking was more precise and better justified. I decided to give each game a score out of 100. This score is comprised of the sum of ten sub-ratings that are important to me as a GM and solo gamer.

To determine my 2024 rankings, I evaluated various factors that contribute to the overall quality and appeal of each game. The following factors were considered in the rating process on a scale of 1-10:

• Accessibility. How easy is it for new players to grasp the rules and jump into play?

• Flexibility. Is the system adaptable to different settings and genres?

• Player Empowerment. Can players easily express their character concepts within the rules?

• Game Master (GM) Support. What level of support does the game provide GM’s?

• Solo Support. What, if any, solo supports are available for gamers?

• Versatility. Does the game offer the versatility to be enjoyed in both one-shot sessions and long-term campaigns?

• Cost. What is the price point of the core rulebook or starter set?

• Art/Layout. What is the quality of the rulebook’s artwork and layout?

• Distinctive Features. Does the game have any distinctive features that make it stand out from other rules-lite offerings?

• Community Engagement: Does the game have a friendly and active community of players and content creators offering support, resources, and discussions?

Using this rating system, I arrived at a revised ranking. I’ll share my new top three games in my next post.