Space Opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction with dramatic stakes, a grand scope, and a massive scale. Space is a big place, and space opera fills it with big feelings! Sometimes seen as bridging the gap between science fiction and fantasy, space opera often borrows fantastical elements and gives them a science fiction flavor, as high-tech super-science or mystic religion. Space opera's setting is usually vast, a sprawling galactic network of planets, star systems, and space stations connected by ships flying through the stars. Alien species and robotic droids frequently feature prominently. Plots in this genre tend to be heightened as well: high drama, high stakes, high action, high emotions! Galactic war, interstellar conspiracy, universal evil and a plucky force of good to fight it are all right at home in a space opera. And among it all, the human stories shine amidst the epic conflict. All of this is just about perfect for tabletop roleplaying games; space opera is the ideal genre for high adventure among the stars. Players take on the roles of big dramatic heroes against galactic forces of evil, blasting them with lasers in spaceship dogfights, sneaking around their ubiquitous henchmen on remote planets and space stations, and going toe-to-toe in operatic battles against their tyranny. All the while incorporating elements of romance, action-adventure, war drama, and even soap opera!
Popular Space Opera RPGs
Dune: Adventures in the Imperium
The Dune: Adventures in the Imperium roleplaying game takes you into a far future beyond anything you have imagined, where fear is the mind killer so be sure to keep your wits about you. The Imperium is a place of deadly duels, feudal politics, and mysterious abilities, noble Houses politic constantly for power, influence, and vengeance in a universe where a blade can change the fortunes of millions. Build your House, carve your place in the universe or rebuild an ancient lineage and fight for the Imperial throne. Take your characters on a journey through the storied worlds of Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterpiece, inhabit elite agents working for noble Houses where Mentats, Swordmasters, Spies, Bene Gesserit Sisters, Devious Advisors, or even desert Fremen join together to follow your banner. Whoever you choose to be, remember that those that control the spice control the universe.
Star Trek Adventures - Second Edition
The Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game takes you to the final frontier! From the 21st through to the 32nd century, join Starfleet, the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Star Empire, and countless other civilizations, and journey across the Star Trek universe with your crew. Explore strange new worlds, encounter fantastical alien life-forms, and engage in dramatic adventures in a detailed and immersive Galaxy. Tell your stories and unravel the mysteries of the unknown!
Star Trek Adventures - First Edition
Welcome to your new assignment, Captain. Your continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before… Star Trek Adventures takes you to the Final Frontier of the Galaxy, where new discoveries await keen explorers of Starfleet. Your duties may take you to the edges of known space, or to Federation colonies in need, to the borders of neighbouring galactic powers or into the eye of interstellar phenomena. Your ship and your crew epitomise the best Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets has to offer, and you are needed more than ever. A new threat looms from across the Gamma Quadrant, as it is confirmed by Commander Sisko and his crew that the Dominion, led by the Founders, represent a significant threat to the Alpha Quadrant. Tension is already high in the region of Bajor and Deep Space 9, as the Maquis continue to act against the Cardassian-Federation peace treaty, with Captain Janeway and the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager preparing for their mission in the Badlands. It is a volatile time for the Federation and new crews have never been in higher demand.
Starfinder
Gather a crew of expert spacefarers, with a diverse set of origins and skills, get a ship and fly the stars! Starfinder is a tabletop roleplaying game, or TTRPG, of heroic science-fantasy adventure. Players take on the roles of fantasy creatures familiar or alien, and adopt one of over a dozen character classes with various skills and powers, from the battle-hardened Soldier and savvy Mechanic, to the space-wizard Mystic and stellar-powered Solarian! One player, the Game Master (GM) plays as the rest of the vast universe, including the player characters’ allies and opposition, and presents scenarios and obstacles for them to overcome. The players decide on a course of action using their characters’ skills, magic spells, or equipment—the only limit on what they can attempt is their imagination! Often, they’ll need to roll dice to find out whether they succeed or fail. But no matter what, the players’ choices result in a unique story of which they are both author and audience. For this reason, TTRPGs are often considered games of collaborative storytelling.
Scum and Villainy
Unwise deals. Blaster fights. High adventure among the stars. Welcome to the world of Scum and Villainy. Scum and Villainy is a Forged in the Dark game about a spaceship crew trying to make ends meet under the iron-fisted rule of the Galactic Hegemony. Work with the members of your crew to thrive despite powerful criminal syndicates, warring noble families, dangerous aliens, and strange mystics. Explore the ruins of lost civilizations for fun and profit. Can your motley crew hold it together long enough to strike it big and insure your fame across the sector?
Star Wars RPG by Fantasy Flight Games
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a heroic group of spacefarers faced the forces of evil in an epic struggle that still inspires us today! The Star Wars Roleplaying Game offers the opportunity to play out a fantastical space opera in one of the most beloved universes of all time. The Star Wars Roleplaying Game is a tabletop game played with pen, paper, and a set of special dice where players can create their own Jedi, scoundrel, alien, bounty hunter, and lots more to play out adventures in the world of the Star Wars films. One player, the Game Master (GM), acts as the rest of the galaxy, playing as the characters’ allies and enemies, and creating scenarios and obstacles for them to overcome. Published by Fantasy Flight Games, the Star Wars Roleplaying Game is composed of three intercompatible games designed for different settings: Edge of the Empire, for playing smugglers and bounty hunters like Han Solo or Boba Fett; Age of Rebellion for playing rebel freedom fighters against the Galactic Empire like Luke Skywalker and Poe Dameron; and Force and Destiny for playing Jedi fleeing from the Empire’s reach, like Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Coriolis – The Third Horizon
Coriolis – The Third Horizon is a science fiction role playing game set in a remote cluster of star systems called The Third Horizon. It is a place ravaged by conflicts and war, but also home to proud civilizations, both new and old. Here, the so called First Come colonists of old worship the Icons, while the newly arrived Zenithians pursue an aggressive imperialistic agenda through trade and military power.
Lancer
Lancer is set 15,000 years from the present day, where a revolutionary interplanetary state, Union, struggles to win a better world for the whole of humanity. You’ll not see the project complete, but you’ll put your shoulder to the wheel, struggle, and advance. There are many pilots in the galaxy, but only one of you. Your character is a lancer, a mech ace renowned for their skill in their machine. Developed half a millennia prior to the current day of Lancer’s setting, mechanized chassis — mechs — have redefined how war is fought across the Orion Arm. Under your command, your mech is a weapon unparalleled, and with your mech and your comrades by your side, you’ll write your own story.
Frequently asked questions about Space Opera
Blog links about Space Opera
Space Opera Reviews and Actual Plays
Dimension 20 Plays A Starstruck Odyssey
Star Wars: Edge of Eternity
GM Jesse Cox of RollPlay hosts an actual play of the Fantasy Flight Star Wars RPG.
Starfinder: Junker's Delight
Narrative Declaration plays space fantasy RPG Starfinder with a ragtag crew who are all deeply in debt.