Good non-d20 Sci-Fi game
Moe -
If you want a really good sci-fi game, with lots of detail, then check out Spacemaster: Privateers by Iron Crown Enterprises.
Synopsis
Set in the far future, earth is just one of many planets belonging to a Confederation of seven different species of intelligent beings that had been seeded across the galaxy.
There is also a Space Empire right next to the Confederation (comprised of the same seven species!), who has declared war upon the Confederation. Not being prepared for a war, the Confederation enacts the Privateering laws, much like several nations did in the 1600 and 1700's in the Carribean.
End Synopsis
Unlike many settings for any type of genre, this actually gives the characters a reason for being together and for doing the types of things that characters are wont to do. I think that it is an exciting setting, and one you (and/or your friend) should check out. It has the plus of not being set in a predefined (such as by books or movies) setting, so anything is possible.
It has a small learning curve, with the hardest part being deciding what character options to select and such. But once characters are created, running it is simple, since everything is percentile based, and it has single a single resolution method.
The core book contains everything you need to play. Races, professions, rules for various things like ship combat, psions, and the setting itself! All for just $30 (USD), about the same that you would pay for many of the books for sale nowadays.
Check it out! You won't regret it......
