3 Outstanding Sci Fi Tabletop RPGs You NEED To Play

If you’re new to the genre and wondering where to start with sci fi tabletop RPGs, this list will set you up right.

I’m counting down three of the most engaging, well-crafted sci-fi RPGs out there, all based on my own play and experience. This isn’t a top 100 list. It’s not a ranking of every game ever made. This is my honest take on three standouts you should absolutely try at least once.

Let’s roll ’em!

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3. Alien: The Roleplaying Game

If you’ve ever wanted to feel the claustrophobic tension of being stalked by xenomorphs in deep space, Alien: The RPG has you covered. Published in 2019 by Free League Publishing, this game is built on the Year Zero Engine and leans heavily into sci-fi horror.

The People Behind It

The lead designer is Tomas Härenstam, and the visual presentation is tight—clean layout, solid star system maps, and a sharp aesthetic that captures the feel of the Alien universe without getting bogged down in movie trivia. Not that that’s is bad. I mean, come on…it’s based on the movie. 😏

Free League Publishing later came out with another sci fi tabletop RPG based on a Ridley Scott franchise — Blade Runner. That’s a great game in its own right.

Two Modes, Two Experiences

Cinematic Mode — These are one-shot scenarios where survival is the name of the game. Tension, fear, panic—these sessions are fast-paced and brutal.

Campaign Mode — For those who want a longer, more involved experience. This is where you get to build ships, colonies, and even your own star systems using supplements like Building Better Worlds. It’s packed with lore, tech, and tools for ongoing adventures.

Core Mechanics

This sci fi tabletop RPG uses a dice pool of six-sided dice (d6). A six equals a success. The more sixes, the better. Simple, right? But here’s the twist—stress dice. These give you a better chance of succeeding under pressure, but they also increase the risk of panic. It’s a clever mechanic that ramps up intensity without overcomplicating things.

Final Word

Alien RPG balances simplicity with atmosphere. If you’re into horror with your sci-fi, this is a solid pick. Play it once—even just a one-shot—and you’ll know exactly why it makes the list.

Grab Alien: The RPG here

2. Alternity (1998)

Here’s one for the old-school crew—and a hidden gem for new players who want a taste of classic 90s design. Alternity dropped in 1998 from TSR, just before they got absorbed by You-Know-Who.

Who Made It

The lead designers were Bill Slavicsek and Richard Baker, both TTRPG veterans. The core came in two books: the Player’s Handbook (green motif) and the Game Master’s Guide (blue motif). Even the covers line up to form a single panoramic image—very 90s, very cool.

The Star Drive Era

Alternity really hit its stride with its Star Drive setting—tons of content, tons of lore. This wasn’t a half-baked expansion. It added depth, world-building, and replayability. You could run campaigns for months and not run out of material.

Gritty Realism in Space

This isn’t a cinematic, pulpy game. Alternity leans hard into realistic physics, resource management, and the danger of space travel. Think The Expanse, not Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s a hard sci fi tabletop RPG with a combat system that rewards tactical thinking.

Core Mechanics

Alternity runs on a modified d20 system, but instead of piling on modifiers, you use a situation die (ranging from d4 to d20). Your goal is to roll low—under your target number. That’s how you succeed. It’s a bit flipped compared to most d20 systems, but once it clicks, it’s intuitive.

Final Word

Alternity might be older, but it holds up. It’s got depth, crunch, and a tactical edge that’s perfect for players who want more than just pew-pew in space. You’ll need to hunt down a copy—best place I’ve found is Noble Knight Games—but it’s worth the effort.

Find Alternity at Noble Knight Games

1. Classic Traveller (1977)

Let’s take it all the way back. Classic Traveller is the granddaddy of sci fi tabletop RPGs. First released in 1977 by Game Designers’ Workshop, this is a true sandbox game. You don’t get a fleshed-out universe—you build your own.

The Minds Behind It

Designed by Marc Miller, with later contributions from Loren K. Wiseman and others (Loren did a massive amount of work on this game). Classic Traveller started with just three small books: character creation, combat, and spaceships. That was it. Pure toolkit.

Old-School but Playable

What you see most now is the Starter Edition, which condenses those first three books into one volume. Black-and-white, 64 pages, and no fluff. This game was about freedom. You could create a campaign inspired by Battlestar Galactica, Space: 1999, or whatever you wanted. Classic Traveller handed you the tools and said, “Go build your world.”

Core Mechanics

Classic Traveller uses a 2d6 system. You roll two six-sided dice and aim to hit or exceed a target number. The math is simple, but combat can slow down due to multiple modifiers—weapon type, armor, range, cover, you name it. It’s not hard, just a bit detailed.

True Sandbox Play

If you like structured stories and guided narratives, Classic Traveller might not be your jam. But if you like creating your own interstellar epic from scratch, this game is unmatched. Want to run a merchant crew? A war across sectors? A diplomatic envoy mission? It’s all on the table.

Final Word

Classic Traveller is still relevant because it’s still fun. It’s a foundational sci fi tabletop RPG that defined what a space sandbox could look like. If you can track down a copy, especially one of the starter editions or consolidated reprints, jump on it.

Pick up Classic Traveller here

So, Which One Will You Try?

There you go—three sci fi tabletop RPGs that each offer something different:

• Alien for horror and tension
• Alternity for gritty, tactical realism
• Classic Traveller for open-ended sandbox creation

If you’re curious and want a deeper dive, check out the video that inspired this post:
🎥 Watch the full video here

And now it’s your turn:
If you had to pick one of these to play, which would it be—and why? Drop your pick in the comments. Let’s get that engagement going!