The Quest for a Simple Yet Fun Table-Top RPG Continues!

[finarvyn]

If you want something newer and in print, there are a series of board games by Wizards of the Coast which are based on their 4E line of Dungeons & Dragons.

The 4E rules (to me) are kind of complex and such, but the board games might be what you are looking for because they streamline the rules and the design is for players who aren't rules lawyers.

The plan is to have three games all compatible with one another:
1. Ravenloft (a vampire's castle)
2. Wrath Of Ashardalon (a dragon's lair)
3. Something with Drizzt is coming soon (dark elves)

These are simplified versions of 4E and are designed for family or group play. They are done on a board, have power cards for pre-determined characters, and have a simple enough game system that players don't need to be uber-geek to understand them. They are very visual, with boards and plastic miniatures.

Another bonus (?) is that they are designed to be played without a Game Master. Everyone gets to play a character. I've tinkered with using these as a regular RPG and it works fine that way, too, but it's neat to see that you could play with the group and not just DM. (I have this issue, since I'm really the only DM in my group so I hardly ever actually get to play a character.)

Each of the first two games have 5 different characters to play, and they are mostly interchangible so that you actually have 10 choices. (Soon to be 15 when the third game gets released.)

Again, my interpretation of your post is that you want something like a RPG but also a social game where you can play but not stress out. These may be the answer.