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Hi,

I am currently searching for a new science fiction role playing game. We have tried Dark Heresy, Only War, Deathwatch, Rogue Trader, Fragged Empire, Burning Empire, Breachworld, Three Sixteen, Robotic Age and Shadowrun. I am more specifically searching for something that plays well in small group, more in the high sci-fy domain with a solide character building system, but am open to pretty much any suggestion at this point. Thanks for the help!

I think this is where this should be?

And I suggest 1E Gamma World!

Man, I loved that game...

- Traveller: What's not to love about this classic? Numerous editions, but each is generally compatible with the others. It's hard to name another system where you can die in character generation.

- Stars Without Number: An OGL/D&D derivative.

- Star Frontiers: Out-of-print, but kept alive. Start with Alpha Dawn (planetside characters) and add Knight Hawks (starships).

- Machinations of the Space Princess: Another OGL/D&D derivative, this time with a more pulpy, Flash Gordon feel.

Why not Fantasy Flight's Star Wars... Unique system and Gigantic back story...

I still have all of my Star Frontiers stuff. Man, you needed a lot of d20s to play that game. IIRC.

Traveller. Such fun. Good times with that one.

 Alpharius wrote:
I think this is where this should be?

And I suggest 1E Gamma World!

Man, I loved that game...

Indeed. I still have my GW rulebook. But not Metamorphosis Alpha. I think there is a version of GW-- It stood for Gamma World long before it stood for Games Workshop-- out there based on 4e D&D. (yeah, I shuddered when I heard that.)

Metamorphosis Alpha is still available. There are other editions of it too.

Alternity, also a sci-fi RPG, is due to be re-released next year, or so go the rumors. There is also d20 Future. If you like the d20 system.

There is an Infinity RPG coming too. Sometime.

Hulks and Horrors is supposed to be interesting. Never played it, so

There's Eclipse Phase, focusing on transhuman scifi and existential horror. System is d% like the 40k stuff with lots of character options if that is your thing.

You can preview the books in PDF format for free (and unrestricted) here: https://robboyle.wordpress.com/eclipse-phase-pdfs/

Mechwarrior is a solid choice if you like the Battletech universe. Numerous compatible editions available to choose from and a very well stocked history/setting to explore.
No aliens or psychic orders though.

Cyberpunk is a good choice for semi-near future science fiction. Shadowrun widens that enormously, but is better listed as fantasy.

The various 40K RPG's are worth a look also. Decent enough ruleset and an excuse to use your miniatures collection for dual purpose. I recommend Inquisitor over Rogue Trader in general unless the GM can keep a handle on the characters and keep them humble. The latter game has a revised ruleset, use that one for either game, but tends to open up too rapidly. Players end up commanding fleets and the game ends up BFG with character sheets, not that there is anything wrong with BFG of course.
The GM needs to keep to the mantra: the PC's are expendable minions with no consequence; and stick with it, and avoid giving power rewards like D&D. Do this and its a good system.

Star Wars by West End Games, 2nd edition or Revised Edition. Damn near every scifi fan is going to be familiar with the setting. You can find them on the cheap on Ebay and it's a game that has withstood the test of time. There is even an active Google+ community that creates new material for the game weekly. D6Holocron has, I believe, literally every WEG Star Wars RPD supplement and lots of Conversions of the D20 Star Wars RPG supplements in it's downloads section.

 Genoside07 wrote:
Why not Fantasy Flight's Star Wars... Unique system and Gigantic back story...

This or Mechwarrior gets my support. I did not think I would like Mechwarrior as I care not for stompy vehicles, but I enjoyed this games.

Mutant Chronicles 3rd edition by Modiphius. The best background and awesome game. http://www.modiphius.com/mutant-chronicles.html

 Genoside07 wrote:
Why not Fantasy Flight's Star Wars... Unique system and Gigantic back story...

This. The FFG Star Wars system is a great combination of crunch and narrative. The way it resolves actions and the move away from simple success/fail rolls to allow for a greater variety of outcomes (like succeeding but with a cost, or failing but having something unexpected happening which actually helps you in a new way) is kinda like the crossbreed of the narrative freedom of the FATE system and the crunch of systems like DnD and the 40K systems.

Anyone have any input/familiarity with Wreck Age?

A couple I like that have not been mentioned.

Jovian Chronicles by Dream Pod 9 - A gundam-ish future scifi world with the solar system split up into several political entities, with espionage, space battles, and mecha.

GURPS by Steve Jackson Games - A generic RPG system with lots of SF supplements, both crunchy and setting. Includes supplements for Traveler, Transhumans, Star Trek, and Humanx worlds, plus plenty to build your own SF universe.