Sci-fi RPGs

[Pfhoenix]

Can anyone recommend a hardcore sci-fi RPG? I'm interested in anything Mass Effect style in the space opera vein. I've dug through Star Wars, d20 Future, and Rifts, but I've yet to see a table-top RPG in a space opera setting (aside from Star Wars).

 

[jedavis]

Traveller! The default setting makes a few questionable assumptions about how FTL travel works, but at least in Mongoose Traveller, there's a full page of "rules for ignoring the rules of jump drive," including things like more standard hyperspace, jump gates, &c. The default setting is kinda hard-science, but those assumptions can be easily hand-waved away ("How long does it take to get far enough away from the planet to jump?... Does anyone really care? No? OK, it happens, we're good.").

In short: definitely check out Mongoose Traveller. I ran a game of it last semester and it was one of the more fun things I've played in a long time.

 

[Bluenose]

If you want games with an existing Mass Effect conversion, I can think of two. Diaspora and Star Wars Sage Edition. Either game would, imo, do space opera better than Traveller, no matter how much I love that game.

 

[Thotas]

I own, but have never had the chance to play, the "Alternity" game that came out just prior to 3e Dungeons and Dragons. It certainy looked good to me, and I may still give it a shot if the chance ever presents itself. It's probably really hard to get a hold of anymore.

I should also admit that I don't really do video games, so comparison to Mass Effect doesn't give me much of a clue about what you're looking for. So you shouldn't assume I'm tossing "Alternity" out there because of any similarity -- I have no idea if there is any or not.

 

[pming]

Hiya

Maybe take a look at Dream Pod 9's "CORECommand".

You can also take a look at "Star Frontiers" ... which has been "Revised". Just do a search for "star frontiers revised star frontiersman" and you should find it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Besides all the excellent suggestions above, you might want to check out HERO's & GURPS's Sci-Fi setting books: the beauty of each primarily comes from their customizability.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I like the BSG rpg. It's simple, it's gritty, it encourages players to take risks.

That or the generic Cortex system on which it is based would do ME well.

 

[greatamericanfolkher]

Can anyone recommend a hardcore sci-fi RPG? I'm interested in anything Mass Effect style in the space opera vein. I've dug through Star Wars, d20 Future, and Rifts, but I've yet to see a table-top RPG in a space opera setting (aside from Star Wars).

Eclipse Phase. It's an awesome looking game and the only reason I haven't gotten to play it is I'm the only Sci-Fi GM in the area.

 

[Morrus]

The Player's Guide to the Santiago: A Myth of the Far Future adventure path is very imminent. The Player's Guide, simply called Myths of the Far Future (the accompanying adventure path being one such myth) is essentially D&D 4E rules in a sci-fi space setting (no magic, lots of tech, that sort of thing).

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Diaspora. It's rules-light FATE.

I had played and run Alternity, but it runs into the same failings as other sci-fi rulesets I've run into: rules. I've been in GURPS, d20 Future and several other rulesets in sci-fi, and they've all failed.

(Incidentally, I do not count post-apocalyptic as sci-fi. Gamma World 4e works pretty well.)