Space Western
The space western genre is a fusion of science fiction and western that translates the 19th-century American frontier to the final frontier: the cold void of space! Habitable planets play the role of towns, inhospitable stretches of hard vacuum replace harsh desert badlands, horses become spaceships, and wealthy expansionists exploiting resources, outlaws, and wayward drifters stay just about the same. Space westerns follow rugged heroes on the fringes of civilization and the law, space cowboys seeking their fortune among the vast expanse of stars. Bounty hunters, duels, space pirates, aliens, racing and dogfighting starships, shadowy governments, and interstellar crime syndicates might feature prominently. As a whole, the genre puts a futuristic coat of paint on the beloved themes and tropes of classic westerns. It's a perfect setting for tabletop roleplaying games: casting player characters as heroic figures on society's fringes wandering a vast collection of interesting worlds is a winning formula for a game. Space western RPGs emphasize exploration of the final frontier, action-packed conflict with villains and rivals, and the high drama of its larger-than-life characters. Players might be a crew of specialists with a ship all their own they can customize as they try to make ends meet out among the stars. They might also be outlaws or bounty hunters themselves. One thing's for certain though: they'll never stay in one place for long!
Popular Space Western RPGs
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.
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.
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!
Frequently asked questions about Space Western
Blog links about Space Western
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Space Western Reviews and Actual Plays
Star Wars: Edge of Eternity
GM Jesse Cox of RollPlay hosts an actual play of the Fantasy Flight Star Wars RPG.
Scum & Villainy: Stardancer
A crew of space criminals, including the designers of the game, play Scum & Villainy, a game that blends science fiction, westerns, and crime drama.
Star Trek Adventures | Glass Cannon Network
Glass Cannon Network creates an original Starfleet bridge crew to explore the final frontier in Star Trek Adventures RPG.