Help me find the right game!

[Sword of Spirit]

I'm looking for a particular type of game system, and figured that I could start a thread where others also looking could post to take advantage of the shared RPG knowledge pool we have here.

I'll go first. I'm looking for a sci-fi game, but I don't have much experience role-playing the genre, and am minimally familiar with the different settings and systems. I'm basically looking for a space game with plenty of everything. Something that is as expansive as Star Wars, but without the specifics of the Jedi, and a bit more serious (though not overly hard sci-fi). I've looked at a couple games, but I always find something either missing ("what, no aliens?" or "it's all set in one system?") or something too game defining in the setting (ie, Jedi and the Force). I'm fine with supernatural elements as long as it's primarily sci-fi. I definitely want some sort of psionics. AI, cybernetics, nanotech, mechanized combat suits--I'm looking for something with it all.

So, any suggestions?

 

[TGryph]

Look at the Mongoose version of Traveller. One simple book for everything you mentioned...

Here

TGryph

 

[Nytmare]

Though I cannot in good faith back the system and mechanics, the fluff of the Rifts universe is both broad enough to cover anything you could want, while at the same time offering you plenty of places to make it as narrow as you need. It's been a long time since I really looked at it, but a high tech focus with lower fantasy sounds like the New German Republic might be a good fit.

 

[Piratecat]

Ashen Stars is close, but lacks mechanized suits.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

I'm pretty sure Nova Praxis hits all your criteria.

 

[pming]

Hiya.

Star Frontiers.

Add in a great, albeit small, community, and the wonderfully awesome community-written "Star Frontiersman" eMag, and you've got enough material to last you a lifetime.

The system core is simple; d100 based. You have a generalized "Primary Skill Area" that basically indicates the focus of your characters knowledge (using the Revised Star Frontiers, the PSA's are: Millitary, Technological, Biosocial and Mentalist (psionics...optional). There are 6 "levels" of skills, with each skill having a set base chance, with (generally) +10% per level. So, if you were 4th level in a particular Tech skill, you'd get +40%. Modifiers adjust that and you roll equal or under to succeed.

The "Frontier" is a large area several dozen light-years in size. It is a classic TSR game and setting; meaning, there's enough there to just sit down and play, but not so much a GM feel restricted to the type of campaign he wants to run. I've ran horror-based, star-battles based, exploration based, commercial enterprise based, and many other styles of campaigns using this system since it came out, and SF has handled them all with ease. A couple adjustments here, and added stat/rating there, and BAM! You're off to the races.

Oh, did I mention you can get it all FOR FREE? Here: http://www.starfrontiersman.com/downloads/remastered

Enjoy!

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Charles Dunwoody]

Look at the Mongoose version of Traveller. One simple book for everything you mentioned...

Here

TGryph

Mongoose Traveller will work. There is a free epic campaign complete and free here:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/r...aigns/campaign-1-secrets-of-the-ancients.html
The new Secrets of the Ancients campaign is loosely based on the Classic Traveller Adventure #12, Secret of the Ancients. Like that adventure, this campaign delves into the dark past of the Third Imperium setting, and the legacy of a race of incredibly advanced and powerful aliens. Over the course of this campaign, the characters will see sights no human has ever dreamed of, meddle with powers beyond understanding, clash with secret factions within the Imperium, and ultimately help shape the destiny of all Charted Space.

And another four free adventure out of ten here:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/r...mpaigns/campaign-2-the-pirates-of-drinax.html

 

[Kealios]

I'm looking for a particular type of game system, and figured that I could start a thread where others also looking could post to take advantage of the shared RPG knowledge pool we have here.

Are you looking for fluff already made for you?

The HERO System is amazing. It seriously isnt as scary as it might look initially, and I guarantee it can do all that you want.

It was my first game ever played 20 years ago, but I took a 19 year hiatus from it. Coming back, Ive introduced a few new friends to it, one of whom is staggered at how awesome it is. Even though I already knew, but hadnt played in a few years/editions, I already knew...

 

[Stormonu]

Slipstream, for the Savage Worlds system. It's evocative of Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and the like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNIVpMXHqlk

Believe me, its way better than the movie, though.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Seconding HERO. If you can think it, you can build it. Star HERO is a decent setting, and you can just yoink a bunch of the gear from it if you want to do your own thing.