Starfinder’s Warframe crossover, Operation Orias reminded me that TTRPGs don’t have to last years

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Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have become incredibly popular in the last ten years, boosted by shows like Critical Role and Dimension 20, and movies like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. However, this growth has led some to believe you need to spend a huge amount of time and effort to truly enjoy a TTRPG. I used to think that way too – I ran a custom campaign for five years, creating a detailed world and playing regularly for over six years, until I got burned out. Recently, though, I played Starfinder’s Operation Orias crossover, and it reminded me how much fun TTRPGs can be, even if you only have a short time to play, like during a lunch break.

Paizo and Digital Extremes teamed up to create ‘Operation: Orias,’ a quick adventure where players become characters from Warframe 1999 – Arthur, Amir, Aoi, and Lettie – to sneak into a Corpus base, save someone, and escape. Using the rules of Paizo’s Starfinder 2nd Edition RPG, it’s a fun, short experience set in the Warframe universe that most groups could complete in an afternoon. Holding the adventure book—which is surprisingly compact—I realized how appealing and unique something like ‘Operation Orias’ really is.

The Orias mission is a short but enjoyable experience that provides everything players need to take on the roles of The Hex team. It even includes helpful tools for the Game Master, such as Moas and the unsettling Infested Charger enemies. The story itself is concise, taking up only seven pages, while the remaining eleven detail player characters, their skills, and a quick introduction to the Warframe setting. While it’s not enough content to fully integrate Warframe into a larger Starfinder campaign, it’s a fast-paced, entertaining session designed to be a fun one-off. It didn’t necessarily change my opinion on what makes a good session, but it definitely broadened my perspective.

Seeing my extensive 100-page document filled with world-building details – character backgrounds, storylines, and more – and then comparing it to the short and sweet Operation Orias rulebook was a real eye-opener. I still enjoy the depth and character development possible in longer tabletop RPG campaigns, but Orias reminded me that everyone – players and game masters alike – can have a fantastic time with sessions that are just an hour or two long. Plus, these shorter games are a perfect way to introduce new people, like friends or coworkers, to the hobby!

This raises another point: there aren’t any set rules about how long a game session needs to be. Having run a weekly board game lunch at a previous job, exploring the Orias system made me realize you could easily fit in short adventures or puzzle-focused sessions even during a work lunch break. As a game master, I actually find the idea of having a time limit – like just an hour – quite appealing. It’s reminiscent of classic video games that crafted amazing experiences despite technical limitations. Why couldn’t we do the same with tabletop games?

At just $9 for a digital copy or $13 for a physical booklet, Warframe’s Operation Orias is surprisingly affordable – often costing less than a fast food meal. If you share the cost with friends, it can be as little as $2 or $3 per person. Looking at my collection of large, expensive Dungeons & Dragons books, I realize I probably won’t ever get through all of them. Maybe it’s because I have a child now and my free time is limited, but I’m really drawn to smaller, more manageable adventures like Operation Orias. They’re cheap, quick, and still a lot of fun. Operation Orias reminded me that you don’t need a huge, elaborate campaign or long gaming sessions to enjoy the hobby. All you need are some dice, friends, and a couple of hours to create lasting memories.

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2025-11-10 23:26