Space Frontier

 Among other things, we playtested a game of space western. 

While the obvious secret ingredient is "playing with good and fun people", there are also some mechanics that made the game fun. 

Like: 

Setting the playground. A desolate world where everyone you meet is a survivor with some specific talents and possessions that helped them stay alive, and the scars left by their day to day struggles; and every location has some meaningful features that can be used to your advantage or disadvantage. 

And: 

Picking the toys. Every item that the PCs can have in their saddlebags is meaningful. You can pick simpler things and have slightly more of them, or just one-two really fancy trinkets. 

Also: 

You have your gun, your knife, and your robot horse. Each is personalized. No six-shooter in the world is like yours. They all have special features and flaws. 

Plus: 

The stats and skills, which are an effective fusion of D&D and Demon City. 

And finally: 

The showdown dueling rules. A deadly game of "rock-paper-scissors", only more nuanced and flexible. 

My character's life was, in the end, saved by his trusty magnetic boots. 

And Gooseman was his name.