Developed by Meguey and Vincent Baker, Powered by the Apocalypse is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) system that debuted in the 2010 game Apocalypse World. The system has since been used in a multitude of other RPGs.
This list breaks down some popular tabletop games that utilize the Powered by the Apocalypse system. With a supernatural and macabre focus, these games are sure to delight the dark hearts of horror fans.
Monster of the Week
Written by Michael Sands and Steve Hickey, Monster of the Week is a standalone action-horror RPG. It is ideal for players fantasizing about quitting their day jobs and picking up monster hunting. The concept is inspired by famous monster-hunting duos such as Supernatural's Winchester brothers and The X-Files' Scully and Mulder.
The game is designed for 2 to 6 players and can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. With a Buffy the Vampire Slayer comparison, players travel the country, defeating monster abominations like werewolves and Balkan vampires.
Dead Scare
Written by Elsa S. Henry, Dead Scare pits '50s housewives and their children against zombie hordes. This campaign is ideal for people that like a side of comedy with their horror. Knitting needles become daggers. The vacuum transforms into a strange weapon. And "kitchen knives are good for more than slicing chicken."
When it comes to defending the quaint home behind the white picket fence, children get in on the action too. As stated in the description, "Junior's finally going to have a use for all that batting practice. Little Sally's jump rope can make a zombie snare." So, if players think they have what it takes to survive a 1950s zombie-filled America, check out Dead Scare.
Undying
Vampire fans look no further. Paul Riddle's Undying transforms players into bloodthirsty vampires. Taking a page from traditional vampire lore, players will go to any length to feed as they slowly lose their grip on humanity.
The game consists of a two-phase narrative system that follows vampire drama that spans centuries. Other features include a blood token system that players can use to bluff and bet against their opponents and a Byzantine political system that encourages conflict between players. With a customizable lore system, Undying is perfect for players who like to be the monster instead of hunting them.
tremulus
Written by Sean Preston, tremulus is described as a storytelling game of Lovecraftian horror. Using a 6-sided dice, players can craft unique and haunting narratives even if they are not overly familiar with H. P. Lovecraft's work. Ron Blessing, the co-host of Roleplay DNA, said, "Tremulus takes you from zero to full immersion in mere minutes, and its narrative unfolds like a story penned by Lovecraft himself." The game is designed for one to five players and one keeper.
Murderous Ghosts
With some incredibly creepy cover art, Murderous Ghosts is a party game ideal for Halloween celebrations or hardcore horror fans. The premise is simple: escape from the murderous ghosts. Players must use their intuition, brains, and a little bit of luck to outwit their opponents. The game is designed for two or more players and can run anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes. The creators even offer a 30 percent off discount code for anyone dealing with economic hardship.
Bedlam Hall
Written by David Kizzia, Bedlam Hall will appeal to fans of period horror. This macabre RPG takes place during the Victorian Era. Players assume the roles of the Blackwood Family's servants. The goal is to learn other players' secrets while protecting their own. But there is also a much bigger mystery hidden within Bedlam Hall's many rooms and dark hallways. Basic game mechanics involve two six-sided dice.
Kult: Divinity Lost
Kult: Divinity Lost is a reboot of the acclaimed contemporary horror RPG Kult, initially released in 1991. In a unique intersection of horror and fantasy, players must strike bargains with demons while trying to stay alive in a world filled with evil, pain, and torture. Due to the mature themes and content, Kult: Divinity Lost is recommended for players 18 and older.
Monsterhearts
Avery Alder has created a game that allows players to experience the tribulations of romance as a monster. Players can create stories that incorporate themes people don't usually associate with supernatural creatures: teenage angst, secret love triangles, and queer marginalization. With a high school setting as a backdrop, Monsterhearts uses monsters as a metaphor for the awkward changes and hormone imbalances that come with the dreaded teenage years.
Taking inspiration from hits like Twilight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Vampire Diaries, this RPG is a fun exploration of teenage drama. It is recommended for fans of horror-romance narratives.