When comparing Shadowrun vs Stars Without Number, the Slant community recommends Stars Without Number for most people. In the question“What are the best sci fi-themed tabletop RPGs?” Stars Without Number is ranked 1st while Shadowrun is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Stars Without Number is:
Has tables to randomize the whole galaxy. Including societies, factions, planets, aliens and more.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro In-depth character creation
Pro Randomly generates the whole galaxy
Has tables to randomize the whole galaxy. Including societies, factions, planets, aliens and more.
Pro Faction system
Faction system provides the possibility for numerous plot hooks, and keeps the universe feeling alive and active.
Pro Customization
A great set of tools, and the ability to make it your own universe without needing to stick to established setting lore.
Pro Simple
Easy to understand mechanics. 2d6+X to everything except combat which uses d20.
Old school D&D but converted and modernized to fit sci-fi setting.
Pro Great story
Book has a lot of fluff inside.
Cons
Con Character creation can take a long time
Con Urban Fantasy isn't for everyone
Con It is essentially a rehash of old ideas
In a nutshell, Stars Without Numbers is old school D&D rules meets Traveller. It's nifty, if this is all you've ever wanted, but isn't really original enough to inspire gamers brought up on other games. It doesn't offer anything new.
Con D20
Linear rolls are not as good as bell-curves. (As long as the level of success doesn´t affect the outcome, it´s fundamentally the same)
Con Weapons are bit too deadly
Weapons are bit too deadly, especially in lower levels, when you are lucky if you survive the bullet.