For the Queen: A GMless Storytelling RPG

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) can be intimidating for beginners, but For the Queen is a simple, story-focused game that requires no prior experience. It’s a collaborative storytelling game where players create a shared narrative about a kingdom, its queen, and their relationships with her. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to learn, quick to play, and doesn’t require a lot of preparation, this might be a good fit. However, it’s not for everyone, so let’s break it down.

Verdict: Play For the Queen if you want a beginner-friendly, story-driven TTRPG with no GM required — skip it if you prefer complex mechanics, combat, or long-term campaigns.

At a Glance


System	Card-driven storytelling
Best for	Beginners & storytelling enthusiasts
GM required	No
Player count	2–6
Session count	1
Tone	Emotional, dramatic

The One-Sentence Verdict

For the Queen is a great choice for beginners who enjoy storytelling and collaborative creativity, but it may not suit groups looking for complex rules, combat, or long-term campaigns.

Who This Adventure Is For

For the Queen is ideal for players who want to dip their toes into TTRPGs without worrying about complicated rules or mechanics. The game uses a deck of cards with prompts to guide the story, so there’s no need for a Game Master (GM) or someone to lead the game. This makes it accessible for groups where no one has experience running a TTRPG. It’s also a good fit for people who enjoy improvisation and storytelling, as the game relies heavily on players creating characters and narrating their actions.

If you’re looking for a game that encourages creativity and emotional depth, For the Queen delivers. The prompts on the cards often ask players to explore their characters’ feelings, motivations, and relationships with the queen. This can lead to surprising and heartfelt moments, making it a great choice for groups who enjoy character-driven narratives.

The game also works well for casual players or those who don’t have a lot of time to commit. A session typically lasts 1–2 hours, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. It’s also a good option for one-shot games, as it’s designed to be played in a single session. If you’re looking for a low-pressure way to introduce friends or family to TTRPGs, For the Queen is a solid choice.

Who Should Skip It

While For the Queen is beginner-friendly, it’s not for everyone. If your group prefers games with structured rules, combat, or tactical decision-making, this might not be the right fit. The game focuses almost entirely on storytelling and doesn’t include mechanics for fighting, resource management, or exploration. Players who enjoy rolling dice, strategizing, or solving puzzles may find it too light on gameplay.

Similarly, if your group isn’t comfortable with improvisation or role-playing, For the Queen might feel awkward or challenging. The game relies on players contributing to the story and creating characters on the spot, which can be intimidating for those new to TTRPGs or uncomfortable with acting. While the prompts on the cards help guide the narrative, players still need to be willing to engage and share ideas.

Finally, if you’re looking for a long-term campaign or a game with deep lore and world-building, For the Queen might not satisfy. It’s designed to be played in a single session, and while you can revisit it with different characters or settings, it doesn’t offer the same continuity or progression as games like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder. For groups seeking a game they can play for months or years, this might feel too short or limited.

How Long Does For the Queen Take?

A typical session of For the Queen lasts 1–2 hours, making it one of the shortest TTRPGs available. The game’s length is determined by the deck of cards, which provides prompts to guide the story. Players draw cards one by one and respond to the prompts, creating a narrative together. Once the deck is exhausted, the game ends, so there’s a clear and natural stopping point.

The short playtime makes For the Queen a great option for groups with limited availability or those looking for a quick, self-contained experience. It’s also easy to pause and resume if needed, though the game is best played in one sitting to maintain momentum and immersion.

While the game is short, it’s packed with emotional depth and storytelling potential. The prompts encourage players to explore their characters’ relationships with the queen and each other, often leading to surprising and impactful moments. Despite its brevity, For the Queen can feel like a complete and satisfying experience.

What to Buy

To play For the Queen, you’ll need the game’s deck of cards, which includes all the prompts and rules needed to play. The deck is beautifully illustrated and designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. You can purchase it directly from the publisher’s website: For the Queen.

The game doesn’t require any additional materials, though you may want to have some paper and pens on hand for players to jot down notes about their characters. You also don’t need dice, character sheets, or a rulebook, as everything is contained in the deck. This makes For the Queen one of the simplest and most affordable TTRPGs to get started with.

If you’re playing with a larger group (more than 6 players), you might want to consider purchasing an additional deck or using the game’s guidelines for adapting it to bigger groups. The game is designed for 2–6 players, but with some creativity, it can accommodate more.

Play This Next

If you enjoy For the Queen and want to explore similar games, there are several options to consider. The Quiet Year is another storytelling-focused TTRPG that uses a deck of cards to guide the narrative. It’s slightly more complex than For the Queen but still beginner-friendly and GM-less. Players work together to create a map and tell the story of a community over the course of a year, making it a great choice for groups who enjoy world-building and collaborative storytelling.

For a more traditional TTRPG experience, Dungeons & Dragons is a classic choice. While it’s more complex and requires a Game Master, it offers a wide range of gameplay options, including combat, exploration, and role-playing. If you’re ready to dive into a longer campaign with more structured rules, D&D is a natural next step.

If you’re looking for something in between, consider Fiasco, a GM-less storytelling game that focuses on creating dramatic, often comedic, stories. Like For the Queen, it relies on player creativity and improvisation but includes more structured mechanics and a wider range of scenarios. It’s a great option for groups who want to explore different genres and themes while keeping the focus on storytelling.

Finally, if you enjoyed the emotional depth and character-driven narrative of For the Queen, you might like Microscope, a game that allows players to collaboratively create the history of a world or civilization. It’s more abstract and open-ended than For the Queen but offers similar opportunities for creativity and storytelling.

No matter what you choose, For the Queen is a great introduction to the world of TTRPGs and can help you discover what types of games you and your group enjoy most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a Game Master to play For the Queen?

No, For the Queen is designed to be played without a GM. The deck of cards guides the story, and players collaborate to create the narrative together.

Q: How many people can play For the Queen?

The game is designed for 2–6 players, but you can adapt it for larger groups with some creativity and an additional deck of cards.

Q: Can I replay For the Queen with the same group?

Yes, you can replay For the Queen, but the story and characters will likely be different each time, making each session unique.