Masks: A New Generation vs Tales from the Loop
Compare Masks: A New Generation and Tales from the Loop side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, and more.
| Masks: A New Generation | Tales from the Loop | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Modern, Superhero | Sci-Fi, Modern |
| Tags | Narrative, Rules-Light, Character-Driven, Drama, Beginner-Friendly, CC-Licensed Rules, Superpowers | Narrative, Beginner-Friendly, Character-Driven, Mystery, Rules-Light, Licensed IP |
| Core Mechanic | PbtA moves: roll 2d6 + Label. 10+ = strong hit, 7–9 = hit with complications, 6− = miss (GM makes a move). Five shifting Labels (Danger, Freak, Savior, Superior, Mundane) represent how the hero sees themselves, and others can shift them. Influence and team mechanics drive interpersonal drama. | Roll a d6 dice pool (attribute + skill). Each 6 is a success. Push to reroll failures but take a Condition. Kids cannot die: instead they accumulate Conditions (Upset, Scared, Exhausted, Injured, Broken) and must roleplay recovery with anchors. |
| Dice | 2d6 | d6 dice pool |
| Complexity | Low | Low |
| Availability | Paid | Paid |
| Runnability | 4 of 5 book tools | 4 of 5 book tools |
| License | CC BY 4.0 | Year Zero Engine OGL |
| Third-Party Publishing | Not yet researched | Not yet researched |
| Publisher | Magpie Games | Free League Publishing |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 |
| Languages | English, French, German | English, Swedish, French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Best For | Teen superhero drama where identity, relationships, and emotional stakes matter more than punching villains. | Groups wanting a rules-light, nostalgia-driven RPG about kids solving sci-fi mysteries in an alternate 1980s: Stranger Things meets E.T. |
| Highlights | Labels system makes identity the core conflict, 10 distinct playbooks, low prep for GM, encourages drama and character growth | Very simple rules, distinctive 1980s setting, Conditions system encourages roleplay over combat, accessible for new players and younger teens |
| Considerations | Labels shifting can frustrate players who want a stable character identity, Influence mechanic requires careful tracking, adult moves can overshadow teen PCs, limited mechanical growth beyond Label shifts | Trouble mechanic resolution can feel arbitrary, limited mechanical differentiation between kid characters, investigation pacing relies heavily on GM skill, sessions can stall without clear mystery structure |