Sci-fi video games are almost as popular and widespread as fantasy, and given how broad the term “sci-fi” is, almost everyone is a fan. Whether it’s deep space exploration in one’s own spaceship, a dark retro-futuristic neon-lit city full of evil corporations, distant colonies of the future dominated by robots and AI, post-apocalyptic Earth reclaimed by nature, time travel, or anything in between, sci-fi is endlessly rich in themes, settings, and genres.
10 Greatest Sci-Fi Open-World RPGs, Ranked
Shoot evil robots, fight dystopian corporations, and more in these open-world RPGs that stand as kings of the sci-fi genre.
Here’s the good news: this Spring looks absolutely stacked with promising, varied sci-fi games, catering to multiplayer lovers and single-player enthusiasts alike. Many long-awaited sci-fi titles are finally releasing after years of development and delays, promising their fresh, advanced-technology worlds for exploration. Below are the biggest upcoming sci-fi games, all releasing in the next three months, sorted by release date.
Marathon
Release Date: March 5
- First-person extraction shooter
- Emphasis on multiplayer
Marathon is potentially one of the biggest live-service launches of 2026, assuming that Bungie has taken all the feedback from early tests to heart, the launch goes somewhat smoothly, and the devs manage to avoid further controversy surrounding the game. Marathon is still a dark horse, as it’s hard to predict how the game’s launch will go, and whether the long-awaited extraction shooter can retain its active player base for long, which is harder than it seems these days (see: Highguard).
8 Sci-Fi Games With Worldbuilding That Puts Movies To Shame
The lore and immersiveness of these sci-fi games will make you hope and wish you could experience them on the big screen.
Despite some apparent rough edges in the past, there’s lots of promise in Marathon, given Bungie’s experience with delivering long-running FPS games like Destiny 2, and the years spent in development with Sony’s backing. At the very least, Marathon looks and sounds like no other shooter out there, ensuring an irresistible adrenaline rush with each endlessly stylish trailer. Its impeccable style alone might be tempting for many sci-fi fans to delve into, but hopefully, there’s much more to this fresh universe than fancy wrapping. Whatever the case, the wait is almost over.
Replaced
Release Date: March 12
- 2.5D action-platformer
- Single-player story-driven game
Compared to Marathon, Replaced isn’t exactly “massive,” especially given that it’s a debut project from a new team Sad Cat Studios. Yet with its distinct retro-futuristic cyberpunk setting, the game is worth checking out for any sci-fi fan, especially given that the devs have released a free demo to give a taste of what Replaced is about, and the early feedback from players has been very positive. The game delivers everything fans expect from the genre, including dark themes, stylish modern pixel art visuals, and a synth-driven soundtrack.
7 Best Retro-Futuristic Horror Games, Ranked
From the underwater horrors of BioShock to the 1970s-inspired space horror of Alien: Isolation, retro-futuristic games offer unique visuals in horror.
Replaced is a classic 2.5D platformer set in Phoenix-City, ruled by corporations experimenting with AI in an alternate 1980s America. Players will take on the role of one of the corporation’s creations: an advanced AI trapped in a human body against its will. Replaced promises to blend dark, thrilling vibes, morally complex characters, cinematic exploration, an ambitious thriller narrative, and fluid, free-flowing action, where players are free to combine various melee and ranged attacks in intense combat scenarios while fighting for their freedom.
Click or tap on the games that match the category
Pragmata
Release Date: April 24
- Third-person action-adventure
- Single-player story-driven game
Initially planned for launch back in 2022, Pragmata is finally coming in just a couple of months after several long delays, promising a fresh, mind-bending sci-fi universe from Capcom. Right off the bat, each trailer for Pragmata has been mysterious and intriguing, constantly raising more questions, so hopefully, there’s much to its promise in the full release, especially in terms of worldbuilding, exploration, and lore.
10 Sci-Fi Games That Officially Last More Than 100 Hours
These acclaimed sci-fi games offer expansive experiences lasting over 100 hours.
As for the gameplay side, while undeniably looking fresh, combining shooting and robot hacking through the android companion in one weird loop, not every player has been a fan so far. Indeed, Pragmata takes a pretty unexpected turn in its pursuit of originality, yet it remains to be seen how well its systems work together during lengthy gameplay sessions. As for the style, visuals, and sounds, no doubt here: Pragmata looks truly spectacular. What’s best, everyone can decide for themselves whether it’s their cup of tea by downloading the game’s free demo for a taste of its impressive tech and gameplay.
Saros
Release Date: April 30
- Third-person action roguelike
- Single-player story-driven game
Saros seems like a no-brainer for any Returnal fan, or fans of action roguelikes in general. It combines deep third-person action and mysterious storytelling, taking everything great about Returnal and doubling it, which could potentially be a winning formula for Housemarque. But Saros isn’t without its own personality. For starters, Saros’ main narrative is much more ambitious, featuring several characters of the Echelon IV crew, and as such, more cutscenes and interactions than in Returnal. Players will explore a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse, teeming with dangers and secrets.
10 Sci-Fi Games With Perfect Endings (#1 Is An All-Timer)
From shocking twists to cinematic spectacles, these iconic sci-fi games wrap up their stories in unforgettable and emotionally moving ways.
However, in games like this, the narrative usually takes a backseat, as its success is often determined by gameplay. From what we’ve seen so far, Saros definitely won’t disappoint, featuring blazing-fast action full of unique futuristic weapons, gadgets, and abilities, the extreme mobility of the protagonist, and, naturally, hordes of aggressive enemies relentlessly attacking from every possible angle and distance. As the devs said, the key difference between Returnal and Saros is permanent resources and saved progression, possibly bringing more players on board. Of course, even hardened action veterans had better be prepared for an ultimate test of reflexes.
Directive 8020
Release Date: May 12
- Third-person narrative horror
- Single-player story-driven game with co-op
Directive 8020’s road to launch has been truly intriguing. The game was meant to open the second season of The Dark Pictures Anthology, typically including moderately scoped titles like House of Ashes and The Devil in Me, each taking around 5 to 8 hours to complete and releasing on an annual schedule. Teased all the way back in 2022, the scope of Directive 8020 has grown substantially during development, potentially bringing it into the league of Supermassive’s more ambitious and lengthier titles like The Quarry and Until Dawn.
For Directive 8020, the devs not only emphasize their traditional branching storytelling with minute-to-minute decisions impacting the narrative and the fates of multiple playable characters, but they also state that the title is the deepest Supermassive has ever made gameplay-wise. This includes a dedicated combat system rather than QTE-only fight scenes, robust upgrading mechanics, stealth, and more free-form exploration of the colony ship Cassiopeia. With its classic trope of facing an unknown alien life form after a crash landing on the Tau Ceti f planet, Directive 8020 could be a major step for the studio, blending Dead Space’s horror tension and Until Dawn’s cinematic, multi-perspective narrative.
7 Games That Give Players God-Like Powers
If you want to feel like a god, welcome to these explosive action games that let you be one or wield spectacular god-like powers.