I cant imagine a better way to spend time with friends than around some thematic decor telling a shared tale of dramatic proportions. Whether that be a night full of ghosts and horrors around increasingly dimmer candles as in 10 Candles, an old fashioned tale of high fantasy in Dungeons & Dragons, it is all bound to be an incredible experience.
Dungeons & Dragons
There was a time when I was completely obsessed, playing with a different group of friends every single day of the week (in my college days). There is certainly something very evocative about the fantastical realms of this classic ttrpg where you can tell most any story your heart desires. Though in recent times I have come to appreciate the increased relevance of more contemporary settings, where one can explore themes directly relevant to our lives, but that said ill never turn down an opportunity to return to the classic.
Vampire: The Masquerade
I fell in love with this setting from the moment I was introduced to it. The modern background perfectly suited to explore a highly relatable environment, with every aspect of the supernatural vampiric elements all seemingly tailor-made to provide some critique of our modern world. From the way in which vampiric power-structure mimic real world cycles of oppression and exploitation, themes of dealing with both physical and psychological addictions, to the archetype of power-hungry Baron, someone who uses retortic of revolution while all of their actions only further the status quo of oppression.
My main interaction with the setting is primarily as a Storyteller (equivalent of a GM), crafting webs of intrigue all across the world, from St. Petersburg to Washington D.C. Including assisting the storytelling at a LARP event in Orlando.
Shadowrun
Cyberpunk is also a genre full of critiques of our contemporary world, particularly our relationship with technology and the ways in which that can be a significant detriment. I love most things Cyberpunk, including the og ttrpg that the genre owes its name to, but my favourite setting is Shadowrun.
Do you also love cyberpunk tales, but wish there was a cyberpunk setting with easier access to abstract themes of spiritual forces, our connection to nature, in addition to the ability to be an awesome mage and experiment with alchemy. If any of that sounds interesting, Shadowrun is for you. Add on top of that an incredible exploration of group belonging and solidarity thanks for the introduction of fantastical races of elves and orcs and you have the second best ttrpg system ever in the author's humble opinion.
Shadowrun's reputation as an extremely complex system of never-ending rules is well earned, but dont let that stop you from enjoying the incredible world lore of its setting. I have worked on an adaptation of the system, which is available to anyone for free at Glitch District drive.
All other Systems
The above are all specific settings which I am very familiar with, but I also have loved playing any one of many indie settings, such as 10 Candles, a horror game with masterful atmosphere; Coriolis, a very deep game about an inter-galactic civilization; or Blades in the Dark a great improvisational game about heists and criminal endeavours; or many more that I dont have space to list.