Off the Shelf: Stars Without Number

I have looked at many sci-fi games, and none have completed the package, like Stars Without Number. The Kevin Crawford games are masterpieces of simplicity, function, and design. The Worlds, Cities, and Stars Without Number games are all amazing.

One page of rules on an easy reference sheet for each game.

The ship combat in this game is a breath of fresh air, playable and functional without the overwhelming complexity that plagues many other games. Some starship combat systems are so convoluted that it's a battle just to understand the rules, let alone enjoy the game. But in Stars Without Number, you can navigate the rules and one turn without feeling defeated, making the game a truly enjoyable experience.

Not in SWN. The system works like B/X combat, and characters in different crew positions matter.

The base rules? A mere one page, consistent across all the games. This simplicity is a testament to the game's design, making it easy for players to grasp the fundamentals and dive into the action without feeling overwhelmed.

Fantasy? Got it. Worlds Without Number.

Cyberpunk? Got it, Cities Without Number. This can even be a Shadowrun with magic and monsters. Each game is a toolkit with random tables for creating anything in these worlds. They are each hex crawl masterpieces. You can even play Cities Without Number as a dystopian, violent city exploration hex crawl where you encounter random factions, gangs, government types, citizens, and other pieces of a post-modern civilization lying in squalor, decay, and post-prime ruin.

They don't have the "sim power" of GURPS, but they do have fun and content creation included with the game. These also beat many other OSR games for me, just because of the toolkit and simplicity of the rules. While the generators can be used with any game, the game itself, in one book, just begs you to play and explore.

Some games are just rules to use in a universe.

The 'Without Number' games come with infinite universes.