Recommend me a Space Opera RPG

[Mezuka]

Coriolis, if you like d6 dice pool and a bit on horror in space. Players start with a spaceship.

The Expanse AGE, if you have seen the TV series that is what you get. 3d6+bonuses. But you are limited to the Solar system if you don't buy the Beyond The Gate book. Players also start with a ship.

Traveller 2022, we didn't like that one. It's a old system and it shows. Can easily become a game of papers & pay checks.

Savage Worlds + The Last Parsec setting.

Eclipse Phase 2e, d100.

Ashen Stars, Gumshoe system, if you like mystery investigations.

 

[Mezuka]

An alternative to Star Wars d6 is D6 Space.

D6 Space - Nocturnal Media | OpenD6 / West End Games | DriveThruRPG.com

D6 Space - The new D6 System roleplaying game series offers fans of one of the most popular cinematic systems a new way to get thei

www.drivethrurpg.com

 

[payn]

I use Traveller Mongoose 2E currently. Seems to be exactly what you are looking for. I also use the Cephus Engine (Similar Traveller spin off) module in Foundry to run the game. Though, I think Roll20 can do it fine too (I just never ran it there).

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Is there a space opera setting for the Cypher system?

 

[Fenris-77]

Is Firefly a cypher system game? My memory if failing me here...

 

[Grendel_Khan]

Joining the chorus here re: Mongoose Traveller, especially since you're looking for an "ordinary people" campaign. It's a great, straightforward system, especially if you plan to use a homebrew setting. The skills aren't really setting-specific at all, and most of the equipment and ships are generic enough to work as stats for whatever else you want to do.

Also you don't need a ton of books, particularly if you aren't doing a deep-dive into the Traveller setting. And if you're curious at all, the $1 PDF has more than enough to either sell or repel you on the system.

Traveller: Explorer's Edition - Mongoose | Traveller | DriveThruRPG.com

Traveller: Explorer's Edition - Traveller is the science fiction roleplaying game of the far future. The Traveller Explorers’ Edition is an introducti

www.drivethrurpg.com

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I think I still have my original Traveller books somewhere, so Mongoose Traveller seems like good option to go with.

 

[Grendel_Khan]

I think I still have my original Traveller books somewhere, so Mongoose Traveller seems like good option to go with.

Yes, one of the many excellent things about Mongoose Traveller is that it's almost completely compatible with original Traveller stuff.

 

[Mezuka]

Is there a space opera setting for the Cypher system?

I forgot about Cypher. It is next on my to buy list.

The Stars Are Fire - Monte Cook Games | Cypher System | DriveThruRPG.com

The Stars Are Fire - This is the full version of The Stars Are Fire. Check out the free preview. Galaxy-spanning space opera. Near-future har

www.drivethrurpg.com

 

[payn]

I think I still have my original Traveller books somewhere, so Mongoose Traveller seems like good option to go with.

Yes, one of the many excellent things about Mongoose Traveller is that it's almost completely compatible with original Traveller stuff.

Yeap, the Mongoose editions give a modern look to the system, but don't fundamentally change it. Pretty easy to grok, likely even easier than 5E, but enough mechanics to make it an interesting system.

Default mode is sort of like Firefly, in which Travellers just fly around looking to pay their bills. Though, I think if you introduce an overarching plot, it does space opera wonderfully.