Gothic Horror
Gothic horror is a subgenre of both horror and romanticism that centers emotion, passion, and the uncanny. Often seen as a reaction to the rational, logical ideals of the Enlightenment era of the 17th and 18th centuries, Gothic horror plays on deep human fears about love, death, and the unknown, as well as the limits of of science and reason. Continuing into the 19th century, it featured supernatural elements and monsters like ghosts and vampires, especially as personifications of human passions and fears. Gothic horror RPGs initially cast player characters as Gothic protagonists, the heroes striving against the horrors of the genre, and some still do. However, playing as the monsters in Gothic games quickly became much more popular. It's no surprise, considering Gothic monsters are essentially exaggerated versions of human passions, that they're so compelling to explore as characters. Gothic horror games center themes of temptation, indulgence, obsession, grief, and loss. They frequently explore the tension between humanity and monstrosity, and how characters can straddle that line.
Popular Gothic Horror RPGs
Monsterhearts 2
By the time they hit adolescence, most people have gotten over their fear of the dark. They spend their midnight hour on gushy phone calls, diary ramblings, and wet dreams. They fall asleep peacefully, assured that the shadows hold no monsters. But the shadows do hold monsters. You know because you’re one of them. Wickedness dwells within your heart, hunger courses through your veins. High school weighs on you and teen drama puts you on edge, but you have power. What do you do next? Monsterhearts 2 lets you and your friends create stories about sexy monsters, teenage angst, personal horror, and secret love triangles. When you play, you explore the terror and confusion of having a body that is changing without your permission.
Hunter: The Reckoning
A Storytelling Game of Desperate Measures. You saw what you shouldn’t have, the veil pulled back from the secret world and the monsters who prowl it. You chronicled the tragedies they wrought, these monsters, and the victims upon whom they preyed. You grasped the extent of their influence and witnessed the corruption of the organizations formed to keep them in check. And you vowed to do something about it. Tonight, you act. It’s time for a Reckoning.
Vaesen
In dark forests, beyond the mountains, by black lakes in hidden groves. At your doorstep. In the shadows, something stirs. Strange beings. Twisted creatures, lurking at the edge of vision. Watching. Waiting. Unseen by most, but not by you. You see them for what they really are. Vaesen. Welcome to the Mythic North – northern Europe of the nineteenth century, but not as we know it today. A land where the myths are real. A cold reach covered by vast forests, its few cities lonely beacons of industry and enlightenment – a new civilization dawning. But in the countryside, the old ways still hold sway. There, people know what lurks in the dark. They know to fear it.
Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition
Vampire: The Masquerade presents a more dramatic, contemplative world than most tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). While the average TTRPG experience is a Dungeons & Dragons inspired one (fighting monsters and getting treasure), Vampire is about simply surviving and keeping a piece of yourself intact. Players in Vampire become the titular mythological figure in a version of our modern world. And while near-immortality and superpowers seems cool, they come at the cost of existing in a secret society where hunters and other clans are out to get you. And there’s also the whole hungering for blood thing. In a typical Vampire game, holding onto humanity is just as tough as fending off foes.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Edition
Gaia is dying. The ices melt, while the seas swell. The heat rises, while the forests wither. Extinction threatens millions, in favor of the few. The Garou — warlike shapeshifters torn between Rage and spirit, between Wolf and Man, and champions of the earth-mother — have failed. The Apocalypse is here. Yet, a new generation of Garou now call upon their Rage to confront the forces of destruction, avarice, and greed ravaging the earth-mother. With tooth and claw the Garou will wrest her from the brink of death — or follow her enemies to the grave. Will you answer their howl? What legends will the Garou sing of you? When will you Rage? In Werewolf: The Apocalypse, you play as the Garou, a creature of flesh and spirit, blessed and cursed with primal rage. Born to fight and die in a desperate war to protect Gaia — the very living earth — you engage in an unequal battle against the greed and power-hunger of human civilization that has trapped the world in a choking web of technology and corruption.
Frequently asked questions about Gothic Horror
Blog links about Gothic Horror
8 Horror RPGS That Range From Eldritch To Supernatural To Sci-Fi
This list of scary games to play with your friends is a great way to get started on your first horror RPG!
How to Create a Character for Monsterhearts 2
A guide to character creation in paranormal teen romance game Monsterhearts 2.
Why StartPlaying Games is Great for Learning Vampire: The Masquerade
If you want to start playing a coterie of vampires haunting the night of your very own city, StartPlaying can help.
Gothic Horror Reviews and Actual Plays
Dicebreaker Plays Monsterhearts
The only thing scarier than teenage monsters roaming the streets is finding a date to prom.
L.A. By Night | Vampire: The Masquerade
A modern gothic tale of California vampires from Geek & Sundry spanning multiple seasons and story arcs.
High Rollers: Curse of Strahd
A crew of D&D players take on the game's notorious Gothic horror-themed adventure module, Curse of Strahd, the dark lord of Barovia.