Cepheus Universal (CU) is the better seller, but nothing beats my B&W hardcover of Cepheus Deluxe Expanded Edition (CD). Both are essentially the same game, with CU being the "more stuff" version, but CD perfectly balances what the game offers and what I am looking for.
The art is not the best, and the color books are harsh on the eyes. I do not like this trend of color books on poor-quality paper at DriveThruRPG, and my full-color CD EE book has sort of "dried up," and the pages feel like crinkly cardboard. This is likely too much ink on the page and how it dries after a few years. I live in a dry climate, too.
There is an option for a B&W hardcover for Cepheus Deluxe; go for that. My B&W copy has lasted well, is easy on the eyes, and the pages are as good as new. Still, I would like a classy B&W book version without the silly striped borders and with cleaned-up art and presentation. If it looks like OG Traveller, you have my eyes.
B&W is great for OSR games; it is cheaper, looks classy, and lasts longer than the color printings on the paper DTRPG prints. CU only has color with no B&W option (Lulu.com), but the paper quality is better.
So why pull this one from storage and give it another look?
CD is the best sandbox sci-fi game I have. The only other game that comes close is Stars Without Number, better for generating factions and planetary points of interest. Still, the CD game has campaign support for cargo, random tables of spacer-related activities, sample ships, and generic science fiction campaign support in the classic 2d6 style. I would still use SWN as a resource but CD as the engine.
The CD game also has a character and ship sheet on Roll20, which fits my "going digital" strategy nicely. Ever since I went fully digital, I have had no need for large tables with maps, and I play my games more with my virtual games tucked away and always ready for me to resume.
I know, "going digital" sounds like the antithesis of classic gaming. Using a VTT for solo play sounds like a surrender. It is not. For me, it is a space, cleanliness, and organizational issue. With limited space, I only want my shelves to hold the best games I will ever play. I don't wish to have maps, figures, pawns, or other figures collecting dust.
The book's digital character sheet, VTT support on Roll20, and extensive campaign support are some of the best "game loops" in science fiction gaming, especially for solo play.
Why not Traveller? There are two reasons. The Traveller game has gotten too big, and I don't want the Imperium setting. I like generic sci-fi, and with Traveller, I am removing more Imperium than adding my stuff. The Traveller universe is still a top-tier setting, but it is not the right fit for the game I am working on. It is a great game with a vast library; I am just not inspired to run it all.
Other games, like HARP SF, don't fill the need. They are character and combat games, but they don't give me the "other cool stuff to do" that CD provides. Even Stars Without Number gives me more and retains B/X compatibility, too, so I can reskin monsters. I like HARP SF, but this game does not fit my ideas for my next game.
Lots of science fiction games drop the ball at starship design and combat. Cepheus Deluxe (and Traveller) does not and excels in both areas. Stars Without Number also does a good job.
Cepheus Universal is a great alternative or companion book. Regarding character development and skills, it is more like OG's "little black books," whereas Cepheus Deluxe is a bit more generous (on skills and advancement) and has a talent system.
The CD system is more of a pick-up-and-play science fiction game, with a few modern twists, like advantages and disadvantages on rolls (3d6, use two highest or lowest). The CD system also uses a "hit point" system with stamina (damaged first, heals fully in 10 minutes) and lifeblood (damaged after stamina is depleted, heals slowly). If total damage is less than half lifeblood, that will heal with a day's rest. The CD system is very "5E" with its damage and recovery rules but has realism applied to severe wounds.
The CD system is more of a "lightweight, generic, 2d6 sci-fi game" with more generous character systems. The ship's maximum size is 10,000 tons, so the scope is smaller.
CU is more hardcore; characters rarely change, and it is more of a hard science fiction game. The wounding rules are more like your typical 2D6 science fiction OG game, with the depletion of END first, followed by STR or DEX. Healing is still on the generous side for gameplay purposes but still has a layer of realism where it takes more time to heal. CU has way more gear and equipment, and the book is 456 pages (compared to CD EE at 219 pages).
CU also has a cyberpunk feel and supports abstracted adventure and capital ships. This means it could be used to play a Star Wars or Star Trek-type game without too much trouble, so its scope is more extensive. The ship combat system is easier in CU than in CE, with far fewer rolls and attacks grouped and rolled for as one. In CE, every weapon is rolled for every turn, and comparing the starship combat examples is eye-opening.
CD EE is a worthy, lighter-fare modern science fiction game.
CU is the hard-science, more complete, science fiction "space opera" game.
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