Cinematic d6 roll-and-keep rules, free to build on
The Tension Engine is the system that powers Party First, Gamenomicon’s first published game. It’s a sleek d6 roll-and-keep system built around raising and breaking tension in a cinematic way.
Difficulty adapts as tension rises: unlocking a car in calm circumstances is a breeze, but with a slavering werewolf giving chase it gets much harder. Tension breaks create smaller climaxes throughout play. Originally made for quick, rules-light one-shots, it offers fast character and adversary creation that suits newcomers and veterans alike.
Free system reference document