There are some truly mesmerizing modern sci-fi games that can stand toe to toe with some of the more epic sci-fi movies and shows of all time. Thanks to technology, developers are getting better at rendering faraway galaxies even though they don’t exist. Some modern examples include The Outer Worlds, Returnal, and Stellar Blade.
The 5 Best Sci-Fi Games Even Diehards Haven't Played
Sci-fi fans are likely well-versed in gaming's most iconic genre entries, but these games are obscure enough that they flew under everyone's radar.
While those sci-fi games are great, they owe a lot to the classics that were released in the 90s and 2000s. Without these games, the industry would be a whole lot different. With so many to choose from, it was downright hard to narrow the list down. Just know that these are only a handful of the greats, as there are many more out there.
Super Metroid
Limited Horror
Super Metroid
- Released
- April 18, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Metroidvania
There are many good Metroid games, but there’s still something so pure about Super Metroid’s design. The escape sequence in the intro gets the blood racing while things slow down again once players get to a new planet and are left to explore.
Samus is alone, without any allies or contact throughout the entire game. She has to rely on her skills to fight back against aliens, and she does it without complaint. Granted, the storytelling was simple because of the technology, but even so, it still worked in Super Metroid’s favor.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Shooters Are Home
Halo: Combat Evolved
- Released
- November 15, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Halo: Combat Evolved, in any present form, is still a great shooter experience. Master Chief is one of the best sci-fi characters of the past few decades, even though he is quiet. His sense of duty and special armor make him fun to play as he can withstand attacks more than other first-person protagonists in a shooter.
The openness of some of the environments was eye-opening on the original Xbox, and it’s still fun to try and break the game by flying vehicles where they don’t belong.
Half-Life 2
Atmospheric Storytelling At Its Best
Half-Life 2
- Released
- November 16, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Half-Life 2 does environmental storytelling better than any other shooter out there. Starting in a dystopian society and then moving to the countryside, players are able to get a better sense of how the world works without massively long cutscenes.
The shooting may not be as solid as any Halo experience, but the physics engine makes the puzzle-solving more engaging. Half-Life 2 is the thinking man’s shooter for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a gaming world and never be let out.
BioShock
Trapped In Glass
BioShock
- Released
- August 21, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
BioShock sets itself apart from other horror games because of its unique setting, Rapture, which is set underwater. Years ago, society went a little kooky, so now everyone is trying to kill or eat each other, especially when outsiders like Jack, the protagonist, walk in.
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Players will arm themselves with plenty of weapons, like machine guns, and special powers, like lightning bolts, to resist the unwell horde of Rapture. Like Half-Life 2, BioShock will be a world that players will easily be sucked into.
Mass Effect 2
Getting The Band Back Together
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Mass Effect 2 is the dark middle chapter of a trilogy, and while it can be hard to jump into the middle of a story, this is THE one game in the series to check out, which will hopefully get players hooked on the series after. The flow is much better than the original between the mission structure, narrative cues, and gameplay.
Players have better coordination when it comes to ordering their squad around, and shooting feels more natural, too. With a diplomatic choice system, players can live out their best Star Trek fantasies in Mass Effect 2 as they try and get their cosmic band back together.
Final Fantasy 7
Going Full Cyberpunk
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Of all the Final Fantasy games, the universe of Final Fantasy 7 has the most sci-fi features, taking place in what used to be a fantastical fantasy land before corporate greed suck up the Earth’s core. Now, tech has advanced far beyond typical Final Fantasy adventures, including TV broadcasts, high-rise towers, rockets that can fly to space, cars, and more.
It’s a great cyberpunk tale about a group of eco-terrorists who start by trying to stick to the man before uncovering a greater threat to humanity. With a big world, great characters, and a fun turn-based combat system, it’s easy to see why so many love Final Fantasy 7.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
RPG Meets Platformer
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
- Released
- November 11, 2003
- ESRB
- Teen // Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Platformer
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is the second game in the series and the first to include RPG elements. By defeating enemies, players could increase Ratchet’s health and level up their guns, which could evolve too.
The platforming was solid as ever across a wide array of foreign players, and the starship mini-game was engaging in between bouncing around. There are visually more impressive Ratchet & Clank games after this that go harder on some classic sci-fi tropes, but Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is without a doubt one of the more important entries in the franchise.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Tastes Like Chicken
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
- Released
- November 17, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
What’s great about the Metal Gear series is Hideo Kojima’s ability to add weird tech and characters to grounded situations without it seeming too out of place. For example, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater takes place in the 1960s during the Cold War, wherein Naked Snake has to infiltrate a Russian base to stop nuclear war from falling out.
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While sneaking around, players will come across an astronaut with a fire-powered jetpack, a man who can shoot bees, and soldiers who can fly around on what look like flying shields. Because no one really winces at these technological anomalies, players will be able to buy the wackiness and enjoy the game for what it is: a narratively deep, but silly stealth game.
Beyond Good And Evil
The Truth Is Out There
Beyond Good And Evil
- Released
- November 11, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
Beyond Good and Evil has a lived-in world with humans next to talking pigs and other alien creatures, all living in a dystopian society with cameras watching their every move.
As a reporter, Jade, players are entrusted with investigating the government in hopes of freeing the people from tyranny by breaking a wild conspiracy. Players can sneak around, take pictures, drive a boat, and do some light action. The storytelling is superb, the world is mesmerizing, and the action-adventure gameplay could rival some of Nintendo’s best Zelda adventures.
Deus Ex
A Hacker’s RPG
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
Deus Ex is one of the best cyberpunk games of all time and also one of the most important. It may not be as flashy as its sequels or Cyberpunk 2077, but the gameplay still feels fresh decades later because of how open it is.
As JC Denton, players can build their character in several ways to prefer combat over hacking skills or vice versa. For example, can play mind games, hack through locks, or shoot enemies. All paths are viable, and players will feel like a god as long as they have the patience.
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