Unearth the Chills: The Best Creepy Tabletop Roleplaying Games

When the nights grow longer and the air gets chillier, it's the perfect time to gather your friends around a table, dim the lights, and embark on spine-tingling adventures in the world of tabletop roleplaying games. Creepy tabletop RPGs offer a unique experience, allowing players to explore dark and mysterious narratives, confront eldritch horrors, or test their wits against the unknown. In this blog, we'll unearth some of the best creepy tabletop roleplaying games that promise to deliver hours of haunting fun. Here they are, in no particular order!

Call of Cthulhu (Basic Roleplaying System)

This on is a classic for a reason. Call of Cthulhu, based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, immerses players in a world of cosmic horror. Investigate ancient tomes, encounter otherworldly entities, and grapple with the fragility of human sanity. There have multiple iterations released int this setting over the years. This game is a must-try for fans of eldritch terror.

Curse of Strahd (Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition)

In the gothic horror-themed "Curse of Strahd" campaign for Dungeons & Dragons, players are drawn into the dark realm of Barovia. Under the rule of the vampire Lord Strahd, they face grim challenges and must uncover the secrets that the land holds. Also a classic, this campaign is an excellent choice for those looking to infuse their D&D adventures with a dose of dread.

Mörk Borg (OSR)

Meaning "dark castle" in Swedish, Mörk Borg is a pitch, black apocalyptic fantasy RPG. Based in the Old School Rules (OSR), it can be a stand alone adventure or simply provide ghoulish and grisly material for your own homebrew. This tabletop game features dark themes, frequent character death, and a doom metal playlist. This is a multiple ENnie award winnder and perfect for spooky season!

Blackbirds (Zweihänder RPG)

The gods are dead, and the world is controlled by corrupt oligarchs. In this dark fantasy roleplaying game, civilization is collapsing, the roads are clogged with refugees, and dark horrors haunt the countryside. It's up to you and your fellow heroes to rise and meet your fate. Reviews say it leans into body horror, but if that's your thing then enjoy!

Alien The Roleplaying Game (adapted Year Zero Engine)

Set in the orginal space horror setting, Alien RPG can be played in a long-form open ended style or in one of a series of one-shot adventures that are chillingly reminiscent of the movies. From the tyranny of soulless corporate overlords, to the body horror or xenomorphs looking to use you to reproduce, to the sheer terror of space, this game will keep you jumping.

KULT: Divinity Lost (Powered by the Apocalypse)

A reboot of the 1991 horro tabletop RPG, Kult, this game is a contemporary horror fantasy of epic scale. Reality as we know it is a lie and a prison. Most fail to see beyond the veil to the towering metropolis, the deep cellars, and the screaming sacrifices to forgotten gods. Those who do peer beyond may find that there are dark guardians who don't take kindly to wanderers.

Monster of the Week (Powered by the Apocalypse)

Maybe your idea of a good monster story is less being terrified about forces beyond your control and more about heading out with friends to kick some monster butt. You can be part of a government organization investigating abnormal sightings, a la Mulder and Scully, or be a part of Buffy's Scooby Gang. The options are limitless in this open-ended action-oriented horror RPG.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are tons of tabletop RPGs out there with varying flavors of horror. So if you're like my family, and this season gets you itchy to dabble in the darker side of fiction, then don't hesitate to add some frights and chills to your table!

And while you're at it, take a look at some of our spooky dice! Perfect for a spooky tabletop gaming session!