''Fabula Ultima'' is a fantasy

tabletop role-playing game A tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG or TRPG), also known as a pen-and-paper role-playing game, is a kind of role-playing game (RPG) in which the participants describe their characters' actions through speech and sometimes movements. Participants d ...

inspired by Japanese role-playing video games such as the

Final Fantasy is a Japanese fantasy Anthology series, anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi which is owned, developed, and published by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fanta ...

series. It was designed by Emanuele Galletto, illustrated by Catthy Trinh and Moryo, and published by Need Games in 2023. The game won 2023

ENNIE Awards The ENNIE Awards (previously stylized as ENnie Awards) are awards for role-playing game (RPG) products (including game-related accessories, publications, and art) and their creators. The awards were created in 2001 by Russ Morrissey of EN World ...

for Best Game and Product of the Year.

Gameplay

Fabula Ultima's dice mechanics were inspired by Ryuutama. Character abilities are described using an increasing die size—a d6 reflecting weakness, up to a d12 representing significant prowess—challenges are resolved with a dice pool composed of the dice of two stats, or of a single stat twice, and attempting to meet a given total. Character bonds, backstory, and themes can allow a player to reroll dice for better results.

Reception

Fabula Ultima won two 2023

: the Gold ENnie for Best Game and the Silver ENnie for Product of the Year. Matt Jarvis for

Dicebreaker Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British digital media company based in London. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and ot ...

called the game, "everything I could hope for from a Final Fantasy-like tabletop RPG." Alex Meehan for

named ''Fabula Ultima'' one of the best tabletop role-playing games to play in 2024.

References

ENnies winners Fantasy role-playing games Indie role-playing games Role-playing games introduced in 2023 {{rpg-stub