Modern science fiction games are reaching incredible new heights, rivaling classic sci-fi films and TV shows. Advancements in technology allow developers to create stunningly realistic depictions of distant galaxies, even though they’re entirely fictional. Great examples of this include games like The Outer Worlds, Returnal, and Stellar Blade.
Today’s awesome sci-fi games build on the foundations laid by classics from the 90s and early 2000s. The gaming landscape would look very different without those earlier titles. It was tough choosing just a few to highlight – this is only a small selection of many fantastic games out there.
Super Metroid
Limited Horror
While many Metroid games are excellent, Super Metroid’s design feels especially clean and effective. The thrilling escape sequence at the beginning immediately grabs your attention, then the game smartly shifts to a slower pace, letting you explore new planets at your own speed.
Throughout the game, Samus operates completely on her own, with no help from allies or anyone to communicate with. She overcomes the alien threat using her own abilities, and accepts the challenge without hesitation. While the story is straightforward due to the limitations of the technology at the time, it actually enhances the experience in Super Metroid.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Shooters Are Home
Even today, Halo: Combat Evolved remains a fantastic first-person shooter. Master Chief is a memorable sci-fi hero – despite being a man of few words. He’s enjoyable to play as because of his strong sense of duty and powerful armor, which lets him survive more damage than many other characters in the genre.
The original Xbox had some surprisingly open game worlds, and it’s still enjoyable to experiment and find ways to glitch vehicles into unexpected areas.
Half-Life 2
Atmospheric Storytelling At Its Best
No other first-person shooter tells a story through its environment as effectively as Half-Life 2. The game subtly reveals how the world functions, shifting from a bleak city to rural areas, all without relying on lengthy cutscenes.
While the shooting isn’t quite as polished as a typical Halo game, the game’s physics add a lot to the puzzles, making them more fun. Half-Life 2 is a smart shooter that really pulls you into its world—and you won’t want to leave.
BioShock
Trapped In Glass
BioShock stands out from typical horror games thanks to its distinctive underwater world, Rapture. The city fell into chaos years ago, and now its inhabitants are constantly fighting for survival – and often trying to kill or consume newcomers like the game’s hero, Jack.
In this game, players will fight off enemies in the city of Rapture using a variety of weapons, including machine guns, and powerful abilities like shooting lightning. Similar to Half-Life 2, BioShock aims to create a deeply immersive and captivating world for players to explore.
Mass Effect 2
Getting The Band Back Together
Mass Effect 2 is the second game in a three-part series, and it’s known for being a bit darker in tone. Even though it’s not the first game, it’s often considered the best entry point into the Mass Effect universe and a great way to get invested in the story. It improves on the original with a smoother flow, better missions, a clearer story, and more engaging gameplay.
Controlling your team is easier and more fluid, and shooting now feels more intuitive. The game’s dialogue choices let you role-play as your ideal Star Trek captain while reuniting your crew in Mass Effect 2.
Final Fantasy 7
Going Full Cyberpunk
Among all the Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 7 stands out for its science fiction elements. It’s set in a world that was once purely fantasy, but has been drastically changed by a powerful corporation draining the planet’s energy. This has led to significant technological advancements, like television, skyscrapers, spaceships, and automobiles – things you wouldn’t normally see in a typical Final Fantasy game.
This cyberpunk story follows a group of eco-terrorists who initially target corporations, but soon discover a much larger danger facing everyone. With its expansive world, compelling characters, and enjoyable turn-based battles, it’s no surprise that Final Fantasy 7 is so popular.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
RPG Meets Platformer
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is the second game in the Ratchet & Clank series and introduced role-playing game features. Players could improve Ratchet’s abilities and upgrade their weapons by defeating enemies, making the guns more powerful over time.
As a long-time fan, I always loved how tight the platforming felt in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, and it was great having those ship sections to break things up. Sure, later Ratchet & Clank games look even better and really lean into that classic sci-fi vibe, but Going Commando is definitely one of the most important games in the series for me. It really helped shape what I love about the franchise!
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Tastes Like Chicken
One of the best things about the Metal Gear series is how Hideo Kojima can seamlessly blend strange technology and characters into realistic settings. A good example is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which is set during the Cold War in the 1960s. The game follows Naked Snake as he attempts to infiltrate a Russian base and prevent a nuclear conflict.
Okay, so when you’re sneaking around, you’ll see some weird stuff. Like, an astronaut with a jetpack that shoots fire, a guy who literally launches bees as attacks, and soldiers zooming around on these shield-like things that let them fly. But honestly, everyone just rolls with it! The game doesn’t try to explain any of it, and that’s the best part. You can just embrace the craziness and enjoy it for what it is: a stealth game with a surprisingly good story, but also…totally silly.
Beyond Good And Evil
The Truth Is Out There
In Beyond Good and Evil, the world feels real and fully developed, populated by humans alongside talking pigs and various alien beings. They all inhabit a dark, futuristic society where they are constantly under surveillance.
In the game As a Reporter, you play as Jade, an investigator uncovering a dangerous government conspiracy with the goal of liberating the people. Gameplay involves stealth, photography, boat travel, and some action elements. The story is exceptionally well-told, the game world is captivating, and the overall action-adventure experience is comparable to the quality of classic Zelda titles.
Deus Ex
A Hacker’s RPG
The original Deus Ex is a landmark cyberpunk game, and remains one of the most influential ever made. While later games, including Cyberpunk 2077, might have more modern graphics, Deus Ex‘s gameplay still feels innovative today thanks to its incredible freedom and open-ended design.
In the game, as JC Denton, you can customize your playstyle to focus on fighting, hacking, or a mix of both. You can choose to outsmart enemies, bypass security systems with hacking, or simply use force. Any approach is effective, and with a little patience, you’ll feel incredibly powerful.
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2025-12-18 06:10