Article:
+1 Game - Choosing Your Game

If this article caught your eye, you’ve either just gotten a new group together or your current group is looking for a game to play. Chances are you’ve figured out the pizza rotation and everyone has their hands on some dice. The question now is: what game are you going to play? It's a tough question, but with good communication you can find a game that everyone will be happy with. Below, you’ll find some questions that you should ask yourselves before you start playing.
 

Skills vs. Levels

Most games operate on one of two leveling dynamics, using either levels or skill grouping. Both games have their pros and cons, and it’s good to know what you want.

Level based games accumulate experience toward gaining discrete levels, each of which has associated benefits. Dungeons and Dragons is the most well-known game of this type, and it has many imitators.

         - Pros
             o Usually geared for combat-heavy games, meaning that combat is quick and easy.
             o Rules are generally fairly simple.
             o Low time investment for character creation/maintenance.
             o Since virtually all level-based games are (at this point in time) d20 system variants, once you learn the core rules you’ll be able to pick up a huge number of games pretty quickly.
             o Well defined character roles.

          - Cons
             o Lots of numbers to keep track of.
             o Lower level of customization available.
             o Your characters are more likely to be focused around combat and not much else (not always, just more likely). This can be a con if you wanted to play a non-combat oriented character.