4 Sci-Fi TRPGs That Every Fan Should Play

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While Dungeons & Dragons is the most well-known tabletop role-playing game, there’s a growing world of science fiction options available. These games are becoming increasingly popular because they offer immersive settings, strategic gameplay, and a chance for players to collaboratively create stories that go beyond what movies and video games can provide. Whether you’re into futuristic cyberpunk, exploring the vastness of space, or fighting against unfair governments, there’s never been a better time to get into sci-fi tabletop RPGs. These systems let you create memorable characters, influence the game’s world, and experience stories that unfold naturally through group play. From challenging combat to compelling storylines, sci-fi TRPGs have something to offer everyone.

The most exciting sci-fi tabletop role-playing games really let your imagination run wild. They feature incredibly detailed worlds, unique gameplay systems, and stories that make you think about technology, what it means to be human, and the future. Players can team up for exciting adventures, make friends (or enemies!) with alien races, plan elaborate capers, and face tough choices as they explore the galaxy. These games are designed to be flexible, letting you create unique characters and experience stories that unfold naturally based on your choices. Here are four of the best sci-fi TTRPGs that any sci-fi fan should try.

4) Cyberpunk Red

Cyberpunk has deeply influenced science fiction, and Cyberpunk Red is considered the best way to experience that gritty, futuristic world in a tabletop role-playing game. The game takes place between the stories of Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk 2077, putting players in a damaged world struggling to rebuild with technology and determination. Powerful corporations still control everything, mercenaries with cybernetic enhancements are common, and the digital world – the Net – is a risky place filled with dangerous programs and artificial intelligence.

Cyberpunk Red delivers a thrilling experience with its quick, dangerous action, perfectly capturing the feel of intense gunfights and risky stealth missions. The updated Netrunning system lets hackers work directly with their team, instead of being separated for digital challenges. Players can create unique characters – like Solos, Nomads, Medtechs, and Fixers – and tell compelling stories in Night City or other locations, all while feeling connected to the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

If you love the idea of high-tech weapons, customizing your character with cybernetics, and stories set in dark, futuristic cities, then Cyberpunk Red offers a really engaging experience. It focuses on smart planning, fighting back against powerful corporations, and building a vivid, neon-drenched world – making it one of the most exciting sci-fi tabletop role-playing games around. It’s ideal for players who want fast-paced action, gritty mysteries, and a detailed rule system that helps bring those stories to life.

3) Shadowrun

Shadowrun is a unique and enduring game that blends the dark, futuristic world of cyberpunk with the magic and mythical creatures of fantasy. In this world, powerful corporations control everything, but magic users, enhanced individuals, and hackers also thrive. This combination of technology and magic creates a dynamic and unpredictable setting, making Shadowrun a game with endless possibilities for storytelling and adventure.

What makes Shadowrun unique is its blend of high-tech and fantasy. Players deal with things like modern surveillance, corporate spying, and street combat, but also magic, mythical creatures, and ancient predictions. Gameplay usually involves teams of skilled characters taking on dangerous missions that require stealth, teamwork, and careful planning.

Shadowrun is a complex game system with a lot to offer. It uses a dice-pool mechanic and has detailed rules for equipment and character creation, letting players build highly customized characters. You can play as a hacker controlling computers, a tech expert commanding drones, a powerful mage, or anything in between. The system is detailed enough for long campaigns, but also works well for quick, one-time adventures.

2) Starfinder

If you love exciting, large-scale science fiction adventures, Starfinder is the tabletop RPG you’ve been waiting for. As a successor to Pathfinder, this game takes you to a vibrant galaxy filled with strange aliens, forgotten ruins, galactic mysteries, and thrilling spaceship battles that combine careful planning with dramatic action. Starfinder is perfect for creating epic sci-fi stories and letting you fully customize your character.

What makes Starfinder really stand out is how it combines classic fantasy character types with futuristic tech and exciting space adventures. Characters like Envoys, Solarians, Technomancers, and Biohackers are just a few examples of the many ways you can build a unique character, each with its own special abilities and feel. The game allows for all sorts of campaigns, whether you want to salvage lost treasures, discover new galaxies, or work for a major space organization.

One of the best parts of Starfinder is its spaceship combat. Players work together, each taking on a specific role like engineer, gunner, pilot, or science officer, when fighting other ships. This teamwork makes every space battle feel epic and exciting. If you’re looking for a tabletop RPG that captures the feel of Mass Effect and its diverse alien worlds, Starfinder is it.

1) Exodus

I’m seriously excited about Exodus right now! It’s a sci-fi tabletop RPG that’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine. What really grabs me is how it combines a really immersive story with strategic combat and a huge, detailed universe. It’s not just about following a pre-written plot, either – Exodus lets us players really shape the story, and it gives the game master tons of freedom to customize the world to fit how we like to play. Plus, it’s a great way to get ready for the video game Archetype Entertainment is making – I can’t wait!

In the future of Exodus, humanity has spread among the stars, leading to a world of political maneuvering and rapid technological advancements. The game offers a setting that feels both expansive and realistic. Players can choose to be almost anyone – from pioneers discovering new worlds and rebels overthrowing oppressive governments, to ancient Celestials and researchers studying forgotten cultures, or even mercenaries braving the unknown. The game’s rules prioritize ingenuity and flexibility, ensuring that each play session is unique and driven by player choices.

I’m really digging how this game lets me build my character. It’s not just about leveling up; I get to make real choices about what skills I want, how I upgrade my gear, and what kind of abilities I focus on – it really feels like I’m crafting a unique identity. And the combat? It’s awesome! It’s fast and keeps you on your toes, but it’s not just button-mashing. You actually have to think about what you’re doing. Whether I’m talking my way through tricky situations with alien groups or just trying to survive a crazy battle, my character actually changes in a way that feels natural and makes a difference.

I’m really excited about Exodus because it just pulls you into its world. The backstory is super detailed, but it doesn’t box you in – it actually gives GMs tons of options to create their own campaigns with all these cool factions, tech, dangers, and secrets. What I love most is that it encourages players to explore, work together, and really build a story over time, and that’s exactly what I want in a tabletop RPG these days.

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2025-11-29 18:17