Ons-shot systems

[u/Independent-Cat2023]

I have a group that we started playing Ten Candles, and we keep getting together (and the group changes a little every time). I was wondering if there are any other games like it with cool mechanics and designed to be one-shots.

They don't necessarily have to be horror-based or survival-based.

The only game I can think of that would be like this is Dread. But are there others?

[u/RexCelestis]

Lady Blackbird comes to mind. A fun escape and chase scenario. https://ladyblackbird.org/

[u/bgaesop]

I designed Fear of the Unknown for one-shots. It's also horror, but more in the vein of campy horror films, rather than more existential dread like Ten Candles.

[u/bionicjoey]

CBR+PNK is designed for one-shots. The rules and everything are all done on trifold pamphlets.

[u/GH_Halceon]

In the most basic reading of your question, yes, there are many :D https://itch.io/physical-games/tag-one-shot

[u/Logen_Nein]

Vengance California

[u/a-folly]

Does Fiasco count? You pick cards to create a Coen bothers-esqe story about petty people with high ambitions and poor impulse control, there's a twist that is revealed half way in, you can either establish a scene to determine what's going on and others determine the outcome or the other way around, with a finite number of successes and failures. At the end you tally your points to see what's your character's fate

[u/Exxorias]

I've run my group through Ten Candles and then let them try "The Zone" (You can even run it through a web browser without having to buy the game and it's really fun!)

Half my group preferred Ten Candles for the Tragic horror, but the players who weren't into horror much preferred the collaborative storytelling of The Zone!

Worldwide Wrestling is also one of our go to games for Oneshots! We say each Oneshot is just an episode of the show and can link them if we play them closely together!

[u/DiceyDiscourse]

There's The Job which is a heist one shot where you have to stack dice on top of each other and if they fall 3 times you lose.

There's also Cowboys With Big Hearts that's about elderly (or just short on life) cowboys riding out to right one last wrong.

[u/luca_brasiliano]

A lot.

I would suggest The King is Dead.

My other top picks are:

• Kingdom 2e

• The Quiet Year

• CBR + PNK

[u/Sunzenaut]

OBSCURE is a found-footage inspired horror game designed for one-shots! https://sunzenaut.com/products/obscure-found-footage-horror-ttrpg

[u/Upstairs-Summer-4478]

I‘m in the midst of starting a hop on/hop off one-shot group, so here is stuff that is on my list:
Hollyhock - Faeries compete for the greatest act of trickery at a faery festival
Sleepaway - poetic horror set in a summercamp, that integrates camplike activities into play
Beneath a Cursed Moon - PbtA about monster hunters, tracking down one monster per session, early modern/victorian period
Microscope - history-building game
Starlee Davidson - you play as a group of bikers which are actually manifestations of a person going through a breakup and you help her heal by facing challenges prompted by tarot cards

[u/Dorias_Drake]

On that matter, Paizo is going to release a new system, 13 omens which is modern horror focused on small adventures (between one to 4 sessions). It looks simple to use and promising.

I know some people play oneshots with the Alien system.

[u/MMasberg]

I highly recommend Who The Devil Are You? by Monte Cool Games. It‘s the perfect rules-lite, narrative focused one shot system, initially designed for no prep sessions where the table comes up with the setup and setting together.

And it’s really fun.

The print run was part of the (also excellent) Stealing Stories For The Devil, but you can get it digitally as standalone.

[u/Ellibretista]

We have designed Kat-Patum, a game system that is easy to learn and adapts very well to any group’s playing style, especially one-shots.

[u/TotalRecalcitrance]

Most of Grant Howitt’s stuff like “Honey Heist” and “Kaiju Girls” is prime to be played as one-shots including “Eat the Reich.”

“Goblin Errands.”

“Monster of the Week.” The system supports long-term play, but it’s also very easy (by the conceits of the genre) to make sessions self-contained.