Recs.
Updated
Play in the popular Star Wars Universe using Fantasy Flight Games unique dice system that emphasizes narration, improvisation and fast action! Play in one of three popular settings: Join the fringes of the galaxy as smugglers, mercenaries and bounty hunters in Edge of the Empire; or join the Rebel Alliance as a soldier or ace pilot in Age of Rebellion; or learn the ways of the Force in Force and Destiny.
Specs
Pros
Pro Story focused instead of combat focused
Rather than focus on combat encounters and character stats, Fantasy Flight Games system allows the group to focus on telling a great Star Wars story. The players and the GM alike are major contributors due to FFG's unique system and dice mechanics.
Pro Super-customizable character creation system
The Star Wars RPG's point-buy system allows characters to easily gain skills outside their career while still making each build feel unique. Focused builds are rewarded, but, in the narrative system, min/maxed characters are no more overpowered than their (equally rewarded) all-around counterparts. Players can easily create a bounty hunter, ambassador, or mystic, or even all of them in one character. Rigid classes ("I am a cleric") are a thing of the past. Your character is no longer defined by such constraining borders—he is what you want him to be. The level-less system places literal millions of possibilities at your fingertips.
Pro Set in the Star Wars Universe
The Star Wars Universe is arguably one of the largest and most beloved in the world, and this RPG captures it's depth and diversity very well. Players can choose from hundred of class and specialization combinations for creating unique characters and stories set in classic Star Wars settings, or create entirely new worlds and stories.
Pro Easier to play online
Because the Star Wars RPG focuses more on story and role play and less on combat, maps and hard stats, it is easier to play online using Voice Software like Skype, Google Hangouts or Discord. There are also online platforms such as Roll20 that allow for digital dice rolls and resources.
Cons
Con You need custom dice, and they take some getting used to
This game doesn't use the regular dice so common in most RPGs, but requires the use of a special set of dice that only Fantasy Flight sells. It's kinda pricey, and it takes some getting used to the weird symbols on the dice. There is a die roller app. Of course, some people come to love the custom dice (no more automatic 1-or-20 successes or fails).
Con Very little digitally distributed content
While Fantasy Flight has added a few digitally distributed(PDF) resources that are all free; such as character sheets, pre-generated characters and campaigns; there are no official digital versions available for any of their print materials.
Con Three flavoured "separated" subvariants for smuggler theme, rebel stories and Jedi path
A lot of redundant text in the there "corebooks". The rest of the subgames lines are similar structured with in depth class type rule books. Patterns of the lines are very similar: Core book, beginner box, class types expansions and adventures books. You can mix the variants. Rules are compatible.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro The Star Wars setting
Who doesn't love Star Wars with its scoundrels and rebels and bounty hunters? This version of the game specifically aims at the seedier side of the Star Wars setting. Other products focus more on the Rebels versus The Empire, or on Jedi and Sith.
Con No Jedi or Sith
This version of the game does not include Jedi or Sith as player characters. You'll need Star Wars: Force and Destiny for that - which is a separate (but compatible) game.
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Pro Future support
Since Disney bought the Star Wars franchise, Fantasy Flight has continued to put out great Star Wars content for all their games. For the RPG they have continued to add new material and are adding resources from the new Force Awakens time period as well.