Trophy RPG
{{Short description|2022 tabletop role-playing game}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox game
|name=Trophy RPG
|image=Trophy_RPG_cover.jpg
|designer=Jesse Ross
|illustrator=
|publisher=Gauntlet Publishing |date=2022
|genre=Tabletop role-playing game, horror
|players=
}}
Trophy RPG is a psychological horror tabletop role-playing game by Jesse Ross about doomed treasure hunters in the woods. There are two versions of the game: Trophy Dark and Trophy Gold. Trophy Dark is designed for single session play, while Trophy Gold is designed for longer campaigns. Both versions were published by Gauntlet Publishing in 2022 after a successful Kickstarter campaign raised $210,141. Trophy RPG won the silver medal for "Best Game" at the 2023 ENNIE Awards.{{Cite web |last=Theel |first=Charlie |date=2022-10-24 |title=Trophy Dark is the role-playing game that offers doom instead of glory |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23416587/trophy-dark-review-rpg |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Codega |first=Linda |date=2021-12-22 |title=Small but mighty: Independent TTRPG presses work toward equity in game design |url=https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22847187/indie-ttrpg-publishers-gauntlet-possum-creek-exalted-funeral |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gailloreto |first=Coleman |date=2021-06-11 |title=Tabletop RPGs About Doomed Heroes & Doomed Worlds |url=https://screenrant.com/tabletop-rpg-end-world-trophy-dark-mork-borg/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2023 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards |url=https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2023-nominees-and-winners/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |language=en-US}}
Gameplay
Gameplay includes collaborative storytelling, randomized character creation, and dice pools. The instructions provide guidance for maintaining players' consent. Trophy Dark consists of story templates called "incursions." Instead of leveling-up, characters gradually deteriorate.
Reception
Trophy RPG won a Silver ENNIE Award for "Best Game" in 2023. In the same year, it was also nominated for "Product of the Year" and "Best Rules."{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2023-07-18 |title=Fabula Ultima, Pasión de las Pasiones and Trophy make 2023 ENnie Awards best RPG shortlist |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/ennie-awards/news/ennie-awards-2023-nominees |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}
Charlie Theel for Polygon wrote in a review that Trophy Dark "hums along, like a well-tuned instrument intent on playing its own entrancing ballad" and that the "experience was special." Linda Codega for Polygon wrote, "The game’s mechanics allow for an approachable grimdark, swords-and-sorcery fantasy". Rowan Cardosa for TheGamer recommended Trophy RPG as one of ten tabletop games for fans of dark fantasy.{{Cite web |last=Cardosa |first=Rowan |date=2023-09-02 |title=10 Tabletop Games To Play If You Love Dark Fantasy |url=https://www.thegamer.com/tabletop-games-dark-fantasy-fans/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}