cRPGs of the past 40 years include a number of vastly different traditions held together only by the very loose name and "characters gain stats"-feature, which I've also seen in wargames for example.
If you can deal with any RPG, try a roguelike called Xenocide. Or GearHead 1 and 2.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to echo other's comments: Albion. Seems like slim pickens.

Could we talk you into abandoning either sci-fi or RPG? How about Homeworld to satisfy your sci-fi needs (available on Amazon) and then VtmB to satisy the RPG (DotEmu)? Sorry, wish I could smush them together into space vampires.

Speaking of space vampires, does anyone else remember that movie that has the opening theme that sounds like it inspired (or, us, was heavily adapted into) the "attacked by assassins" track in BG1?

EDIT: Lifeforce!!!!! Track starts at 0:12:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaam5Eso1hU&feature=related
BG1, hahaha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrnDOjkKkAA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL4523BAD0888991F2
Ack, I always think of space vampire boobs when hearing that song in BG1 now...

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy. Here I was looking at this on Gamersgate, and you ask for a sci-fi RPG. Can't get any more coincidental:

http://www.gamersgate.com/DDB-IC/incognito-complete-bundle

If you think it looks a lot like System Shock 2, that's because it is partially inspired by System Shock 2. I tried the demo and it was an okay-ish game, worth the price, but it definitely feels like an indie game. Maybe it's because there are quite a few grammar errors, and I find it hard to overlook them, but it has RPG, action and strategy elements. Like I said, it's inspired by games like Shock 2 and DX. No idea where the strategy inspiration comes from.

Yeah, pickings are pretty slim, hence why asked here for help. RPGs are my thing (right now, by next week it will probably be shooters), so I really don't want to give that up, but I guess it was most important that the game not be fantasy/D&D based (I've been playing a lot of Dragon Age lately and I'm kind of spent on swords and sorcery). I already have VTMB and it is probably my second most played game behind KotOR, so I'm kind of over that one too. I also recently tried getting into Alpha Protocol again, but every step I take in the game reminds me of how much I grew to hate it the last time I played.

I love Lifeforce! That is one of my all-time favorite "so bad it's good" movies (probably because I was like 14 when it came out and it has lots of bewbs in it). I can't believe BG virtually copied that music.

Oh right, The Precursors! I's not as broken as usual with fan patches and you actually get to fly trough space from one planet to another and explore them, with both space and ground based quests. It's overly ambitios and surprisingly it works, mostly.

edit: just look at it!

Snatcher from msx or Blade runner.. but rpg.. Shadowrun in Snes?

Buck Rogers games, Hard Nova, Sentinel Worlds I: Future Magic, Shadoworlds

Oh wow, I remember seeing previews of that game! I thought it was vaporware.

EDIT - Ewwww. Starforce DRM....

You're cool.

For everyone else, this movie is directed by the guy who also directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist, and it is 100% of what it tries to be. Just don't want it to be something else!
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqNquDlAanE&feature=related

It's been mentioned, but I'll repeat because it's so damn good: System Shock (1 and 2);
And you could give Bioshock a go as well - though it''s not as good as SS.

Not a RPG, but if you like the above, then you may like Dead Space as well (and you can upgrade your weapons and armor.)

Not really Sci-Fi, but Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines is great too.

There's not much out there worth recommending. Most Sci-Fi "RPGs" are just thinly disguised shooters or space flight sims. Fallout & Fallout 2 spring to mind, and Knights of the Old Republic but that's about it.

If you don't mind crappy graphics and jRPG mechanics Chrono Cross was fun. I should say... it's a fun if linear story but the combat is typical of jRPGs. Boring and interminable.

Sorry, but you've picked a genre that really doesn't get much love.

Space Siege. It's more action-rpg but definitely sci-fi.
Septerra Core is more sci-fi than I was expecting.

Three questions to clarify:
1. Did you want PC games?
2. How do you feel about JRPGs?
3. Are you into MMOs?

Well I bought it and the pirated it, it was totally worth it. Nevertheless, yeah, forgot about that, sorry.

Space Siege! I forgot I'm trying to win that on Steamgifts (checks account...) damn, didn't win another one!
Already have Septerra Core, liked it at first, but couldn't get into it. Might have to re-visit that one.

1. Yes, though I am not against console emulation on PC
2. Meh. I've played some of the Final Fantasy games and like them, but they always seem to require way more time and dedication than I am willing to shell out (this from a guy who has a lot of free time)
3. NO. Just... no.