Some games are silly. Some games have hidden depths. Some games do both.
Such is the case with Wyrdsmith‘s 200 Word RPG Go On Without Me. Three or more players play characters in a stereotypical action/horror movie who are trying to sacrifice themselves. Each player identifies his/her character’s strengths and weaknesses (plus a dark secret, of course). A GM describes a scene, and each character tries to nobly sacrifice him/herself using a weakness, while other characters try to use one of their strengths to save that character. The first character to sacrifice him/herself “wins.”
Importantly, each player’s driven both to attempt a sacrifice, but also to prevent anyone else from successfully sacrificing his/her character. This means each player has to make up a creative sacrifice that can’t be handled by any other character’s strengths.
While you’re probably not going to play this game often, it will push your creative muscles collaboratively with the other players. And isn’t that a great outcome from a game?
Go On Without Me by Wyrdsmith:
The game of (ig)noble sacrifice
In this game, 3+ players portray a ragtag band of heroes in a stereotypical action/horror movie, each attempting to be the first to say, “Go on without me!” Players choose 2 Strengths, 2 Weaknesses and 1 Dark Secret. One player is the Director and begins play by describing a scene.
Players take turns (randomly or Director’s discretion) declaring their action and rolling a d6. On a 5 or 6, the action is successful. In order to Nobly Sacrifice themselves, their action must use a Weakness (something that prevents their character from carrying on). Other players may try to save them by reacting using a Strength (something they excel at). This reaction does not take up their action for the scene. For example, Jane rolled to stumble because of her weak ankles. Mark rescues her with his strong muscles and carries her. When all players have acted, the scene ends and a new scene begins. This is repeated until a hero finally sacrifices themselves.
If your Dark Secret is discovered you can only win by rescuing another hero in a scene, and then succeed on your own (Ig)Noble Sacrifice.