Heartwarming
Heartwarming is a tone that describes a subgenre of a larger set of media. It denotes a lighthearted, charming, and uplifting style that focuses on interpersonal relationships, slice-of-life stories, and emotional growth. Conflict in heartwarming media tends to have lower stakes and is usually nonviolent. Themes of love, care, food, hospitality, and harmony with animals and nature are central. Heartwarming tabletop roleplaying games are character driven, and bring the motivations and relationships of player characters and NPCs to the fore. Characters deal with interpersonal problems and challenges both internal and external. These games give players the tools to address those challenges through emotional openness, conversation, and acts of kindness. Resolution usually comes through character development and personal growth, which may also represent advancement in the game. You'll know a heartwarming RPG is doing its job when things a character says or does elicit a table-wide "awwwww!"
Popular Heartwarming RPGs
Brindlewood Bay
Brindlewood Bay is a tabletop roleplaying game that combines Murder, She Wrote with H.P. Lovecraft. In it, you play a group of elderly women, members of the local Murder Mavens Mystery Book Club, who help the authorities solve murder cases in a picturesque New England Town. Over the course of their investigations, they become aware of a dark occult conspiracy that connects the cases, and will eventually have to face that conspiracy in order to save their community. The game is low-prep and easy to play no matter your experience with tabletop roleplaying games.
Kids on Bikes
Kids on Bikes is a Collaborative Storytelling RPG set in small towns with big adventure! In Kids on Bikes, you take on the roles of everyday people grappling with strange, terrifying, and very, very powerful forces that they cannot defeat, control, or even fully understand. Kids on Bikes even allows you to create a communally controlled Powered Character to add another dimension of gameplay to your games! Jump right into the action quick and create your own band of rag-tag mystery solvers today!
Kids on Brooms
Kids on Brooms is a collaborative role-playing game about taking on the life of a witch or wizard at a magical school you all attend- a place full of mystery, danger, and thrilling adventure. From dealing with strict professors to facing down mythical beasts, players will get the opportunity to ride brooms, brew potions, and cast powerful magic as they uncover the incredible secrets their school and its inhabitants hold. Built using the ENnie Award-Winning Kids on Bikes framework, it is a rules-light, narrative-first storytelling game perfect for new players and gaming veterans alike!
Frequently asked questions about Heartwarming
Blog links about Heartwarming
Heartwarming Reviews and Actual Plays
Glitter Hearts at Indie Showcase 2020
Roll20's Indie Showcase highlights Glitter Hearts, a TTRPG inspired by magical girl anime like Sailor Moon.
Dreamstream: Wanderhome
A cast of podcasters and comedians convenes to play Wanderhome, a game of traveling animal-folk searching for home.
Ryuutama: Roleplaying With Dragons
Hero Squad plays through Ryuutama, a cozy, heartwarming, natural fantasy RPG about feeding stories to dragons who control the seasons.