Troika is an RPG system published by the Melsonian Arts Council that relies on its mechanics and item/character descriptions to build its world, rather than essays of lore. The art in the Numinous Edition (the one I got) is bright and colorful and strange — it reminds me of those animated Beatles specials like the Yellow Submarine (sidenote: need to rewatch that.). Also setting it apart is its character creation — whereas in other RPG systems you might pick a race, like elf, and a class, like wizard, in Troika! you roll two six-sided dice and depending on the result, you could be a CHAOS CHAMPION or GREMLIN CATCHER or a MONKEYMONGER.
I love how different it feels from other RPGs. Sometimes, at least in the circles I inhabit, everything ends up being “D&D but with x” where “x” might be mice, or vampires, or frog demons (see previous review). Mechanics tend to be fairly similar, and while aesthetics can vary, they’re fairly congruous. Troika! is strange and curious and different, from its Skills mechanics to the world it builds. It seems straightforward enough that if/when I encounter a group new to RPGs I’d be comfortable running it for a one- or two-shot.
Highly recommend picking it up if you get the chance, even if you don’t intend on playing, for the art and descriptions and creativity.