6 of the GaymeMaster's Favourite Queer and Inclusive TTRPGs!

If my interactions in the Table Top community over the years have taught me anything, I know that a high proportion of the Table Top community are LGBT2Q+, and vice versa that many of the Queer people I know are HUGE nerds!

I know that there are many articles out there about Queer themed/created/inclusive games, but with a name as the "GaymeMaster", I figured I should add my own list to the ethos!

Of course, there are many more amazing games than I have listed below, but these are some of my favourites that I have played or read through, that I REALLY think deserve some recognition!

So without further ado, here goes!

Thirsty Sword Lesbians

Possibly one of the most widely known Queer TTRPGs, starting this list off with the thrillingly flirtatious Thirsty Sword Lesbians feels like a fitting introduction to Queer themed RPGs!

What I love about this game is its unapologetic-ly queer inclusion and themes! This game easily adapts to multiple fantasy related genres, and specializes heavily into character relationships and development. Literally, at the beginning of the book right after a list of helpful safety tools and tips for inclusivity, it has a great suite of tools just for flirtation and romantic advances, and inspiration for how to start and advance character relationships in a satisfying way! And as a "Powered by the Apocalypse" game, Thirsty Sword Lesbians makes a great game for Table Top newbies and seasoned Roleplay veterans alike!

Pick this up directly on Evil Hat Productions' website, or on DriveThru.

I haven't seen this one pop up on too many people's lists so far, but I certainly think this game deserves more recognition!

Queerz! RPG is based on a Manga series by Isa Happyfield (definitely worth checking out too!), which is a great mix of super-sentai camp, queer themes, positivity, and superhero transformations! The game system is based on the City of Mist RPG, an RPG made by Son of Oak Studios, a game studio founded and supported by LGBT2Q+ creators.

As a side note, City of Mist, while not explicitly an LGBT2Q+ TTRPG, certainly deserves an honourable mention on this list for some of it's inherently inclusive themes and powerful roleplay support!

This system really lends itself to a more narrative forward gameplay with less focus on nitty gritty mechanics or on what your character sheet can do. It's a wonderful way to explore character development. Especially with a setting that heavily encourages finding ways to reform your foes and turn them away from their powers of "ignorance", a literal glass-like manifested weapon they use to attack the players!

Creator Amit Moshe's passion for what this project means to him really comes through in this game. While it's tone may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer more gritty or at least less "bright" games, Queerz! is probably the best game I've seen to promote the positive and self-explorative themes that the LGBT2Q+ community thrives in!

Find Queerz! RPG on DriveThru RPG.

Glitter Hearts

Somewhat combining the previous two games on this list, Glitter Hearts is another Powered By the Apocalypse (PbtA) game, with more magical hero transformations!

Both Glitter Hearts and Queerz! are "narrative first", queer themed super sentai TTRPGs. But being a PbtA game, Glitter Hearts has a bit more structure and numbers to rely on. Though it is far from a rules heavy game!

Where Queerz! is a more external focus, on how the player characters affect others and on what battling their opponents represents, Glitter Hearts seems to lean a little more internal on the player character's growth, and allows the players to help determine the world around them and let them show their characters through it.

This is especially highlighted in how characters are created. While very easy to manage and build a character, the creation process has you create; your everyday identity to focus on who you are as a person, not just a famous hero; your magical archetype to focus on your tactics and style; and possibly most importantly, your mystical connection to focus on an element or emotion you draw power from, properly tying a character to an internal ideal that can help drive development and provide a foundation to lean on when deciding what is needed to push forward!

Find Glitter Hearts on Itch.io or on DriveThruRPG! Find more info on Leatherman Games Website.

Monsterhearts 2

There's possibly nothing more scary than the gritty truth of teenage angst!

I know, I know, there is certainly a trend of PtbA games on this list, but it with good reason! Queer stories are stories of self discovery and exploration. Diving deeper into who we are, and what makes us, well, US! And PtbA games are great at helping us explore these stories!

Monsterhearts 2 is a great example of this, using the symbolism of having some kind of "monster" trapped inside you that when embraced can give you power, but is generally feared and ridiculed by a more closed-minded public.

These themes make Monsterheats 2 great for exploring Queer identity, but is also amazing for exploring all kinds of stories of self identity and discovery!!

Find Monsterhearts 2 on DriveThruRPG and the Burried Without Ceremony Website

Big Gay Orcs

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love my Rules-Lite TTRPGs. And Big Gay Orcs is definitely rules-LITE!

As a one-page RPG, this game is amazing for gaming on the go! Not only is it easy to learn and master, but in my experience it is much easier to convince a group of players to learn a one- or two-page system for a low commitment game, just to try something new!

I personally love having an ultra-lite game system like Big Gay Orcs in my back pocket for any situation. Just to be prepared to roleplay whenever it's needed!

Out for coffee with some friends? Big Gay Orcs!

Waiting for your waiter to bring your food? Big Gay Orcs!

At your cousin's wedding where you don't know anyone, and you really need an icebreaker? BIG GAY ORCS!!! (I mean, at least you'll be memorable!)

With an easy to learn system, character creation that's SUPER easy to learn and manage, and a premise that can lead any group through thrilling adventures of revenge, honour, and tender romance with another (likely same-gendered) Orc, there are so many reasons to love this game!!

Get Big Gay Orcs on Itch.io and the Rowan, Rook, and Decard website!

Moonlight on Roseville Beach

Of course, this list would never be complete for me without the game that started my "Gayme Master" journey!

Taking place in the charming little queer island resort town of Roseville Beach in the year 1979, this game plays on all of our favourite tropes of classic mystery and horror! Combining themes from media like Scooby Doo, Murder She Wrote, and Agatha Christie, then mixing it with eldritch horror and supernatural phenomena, and topping it all off with queer inclusive characters, events and locales, it's hard not to love this game!!

Find this Moonlight on Roseville beach on R. Rook Studio's Website

If you're interested in a deeper breakdown of what this SUPER charming game has to offer, check out my Gayming Review of Moonlight on Roseville Beach!

Some Honourable Mentions

There are so many great games to choose from with amazing and inclusive themes! The following list of TTRPGs are games that may not be technically "Queer" themed, but I consider them to be highly LGBT2Q+ inclusive, made by Queer creators, or generally immersed in LGBT2Q+ communities.

Dungeons and Dragons 5e

Of course I have to mention the fifth editon of the world's most popular tabletop Roleplaying game!

While not explicitly Queer, the later editions have been great at keeping an inclusive outset. Plus, in my experience the vast majority of people who have entered into the TTRPG gaming community have entered through the gateway of 5e. And also in my experience, a large portion of the TTRPG community tend to be very queer! Or at least an ally to the community.

So if you haven't already, give Dnd 5e a try! Being so widespread, one of it's main benefits is you can generally find a wide array of tables looking for new players! (and if you find yourself in one of those groups that get talked about on r/dndhorrorstories, keep looking! There are so many good tables to play at, that the minority of them that cause bad experiences shouldn't keep you away from this incredible hobby!)

Star Trek Adventures

In 1966, the TV show "Star Trek" pushed the boundaries of inclusivity and human development. And every movie and show that followed in Captain Kirk's footsteps have continued to push the boundaries of what we are capable of, and the beauty of what an inclusive world could look like!

So it's fitting that a TTRPG set in these themes would be equally inclusive!

Star Trek is amazing at exploring both the internal and external themes of identity, gender, sexuality, and social equality! And between the first and second editions of Star Trek Adventures, there are plenty of adventures to explore with your table in relation to these themes, and far beyond!

Plus, I heard there's iced coffee in that nebula...

Kids on Bikes

There are so many themes to explore in the genres of small town mysteries and adventures in youth. Similar to Monsterhearts 2, Kids on Bikes comes with themes of identity discovery and exploration of self during important developmental stages.

However, Kids on Bikes might also have one of the best built safety tools I have ever seen included in a published TTRPG! A whole chapter at the beginning of the book is dedicated to creating a safe and inviting environment for all players at the table, and includes great tools to both set the game off on a great start, as well as maintain a safe place for the game as your progress through the story.

Even if you plan to play a different genre of gameplay entirely, I highly encourage anyone reading this to consult the safety tools found in Kids on Bikes to help maintain an inclusive and enjoyable table for any game you may play!

Hard Wired Island

Cyberpunk as a genre is already a great way to explore themes of identity, self-exploration, and personhood. And being built by a Queer inclusive team, I absolutely HAD to include Hard Wired Island in this post!

Not to mention, I have an immense soft spot for Retro-futuristic views of cyberpunk. The aesthetic of Hard Wired Island is one of my favourites!

Plus, I love the rule system. It's easy to learn, has great scaling that leaves plenty of room for progression in its world, and still gives the feeling of struggle that you want from trying to survive a capitalistic hellscape in the cyberpunk genre!

This game might be my personal favourite Cyberpunk TTRPG!

Do you have your own favourite Queer- or Queer Inclusive TTRPG? Please share in the comments! I always love to hear about new and exciting games I haven't tried yet!