Best Xenofiction Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Controlling an unruly octopus pretending to be human in Octodad presents a unique xenofiction experience in gaming.
Ecco the Dolphin showcases the challenges of protecting the ocean as an intelligent cetacean facing extraterrestrial threats.
Stray offers players an immersive adventure as a cat exploring a desolate cyberpunk city, highlighting the essence of xenofiction.

As a seasoned gamer and a cat enthusiast, I must say that these three titles truly stand out in the realm of xenofiction games. Each one offers a unique perspective and immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of human understanding.

Xenofiction, a term lesser known, might trigger thoughts of H.R. Geiger and the film ‘Alien’, yet it’s quite different. This term refers to stories told from an animal’s point of view, where their animal nature significantly impacts the narrative. While numerous games include animals, they often display human-like behavior, making it easy to substitute humans without much fuss.

In these games, they strive to perfectly portray the spirit of xenofiction by changing both the narrative and game mechanics. The aim is to let players feel as if they are commanding an animal rather than a human. Such games offer distinctive experiences that avid gamers who enjoy unusual gaming will find engaging.

5 Octodad: Dadliest Catch

The Crux Of This Game Focuses On Controlling An Unwieldy Octopus Pretending To Be A Human

“Octodad: Dadliest Catch” is a unique game that sparked intrigue since its beta debut. In it, players take command of an octopus disguised as a human, all while evading a sushi chef who’s hot on the trail, as you enjoy time with family. Managing a boneless creature to mimic human movements is quite a challenge, and this complex movement gameplay is the main highlight of Octodad.”

1) Players should strive to keep their actions from arousing suspicion at any cost, especially when they are asked to perform routine tasks that even ordinary people can do swiftly. The absurdity of Octodad: Dadliest Catch gives it a distinctive spin on xenofiction, as the protagonist’s secret identity as an octopus forms the basis for the obstacles he encounters while attempting to fool everyone around him.

4 Ecco The Dolphin

The Only Defense Against Extraterrestrial Threats Is An Intelligent Dolphin

Platforms: Sega Genesis, Sega CD, PC, Game Gear, Master System, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: December 23, 1992
Developer: Novotrade International
Genre: Action-adventure
Metacritic Score: 53 (Xbox Arcade)

A Genesis game that is hard as nails, it’s a shame that more people don’t talk about Ecco the Dolphin. This unique action adventure title lets players control a highly intelligent dolphin who rams into enemies to take them out and must conserve its health at all times. Given how dolphins have to resurface to get some air from time to time, this is emulated in the title as a gameplay mechanic where players must periodically resurface to ensure that their health doesn’t fall from time to time. Topping off this challenge is the threat of aliens which can lead to players fighting some genuinely scary enemies.

Fundamentally, this game revolves around Ecco’s role as a dolphin, showcasing the essence of what xenofiction games embody. Much like a real dolphin, Ecco possesses the ability to sing and utilize echolocation for exploration. This charming character contributes significantly to what makes Ecco the Dolphin a unique and undervalued game.

3 Shelter

Shows The Truth Of Parenthood For Animals Well Below The Food Chain

Platform: PC
Release Date: August 28, 2013
Developer: Might and Delight
Genre: Survival
Metacritic Score: 69

The challenges of parenthood are something many humans are familiar with, but a civilized society ensures that infants are born as ripe and healthy as possible to be welcomed into the world. Animals don’t enjoy the same luxury, especially when it comes to animals like beavers who must struggle to forage food, make homes, and avoid the many dangers that come their way. Shelter channels this energy in a harrowing survival game that is way more emotional than people would expect.

Leading a band of young badgers to a fresh habitat is a tougher task than one might think for gamers, as numerous predators see them as an easy meal. Players must not only ensure the survival and occasional feeding of their cubs, but also navigate around human-caused wildfires that could potentially consume the badger family. This situation showcases the emotional depth a Xenofiction game can offer, with players feeling anxious whenever one of their cubs falls victim to either natural or man-made perils.

2 Untitled Goose Game

The Goofy Nature Of Controlling An Annoying Goose Is Hilarious

Since its debut, people couldn’t help but be captivated by the concept of managing a goose to annoy humans and solve puzzles. The straightforward gameplay turned Untitled Goose Game into an internet sensation, garnering massive interest as players guided this bird and advanced by employing their goose-like tactics to manipulate humans and gather the objects required for progression.

1. In this game, if the character that was originally a goose is changed to a human, it loses its logic, demonstrating it as an excellent illustration of a game based on alien creatures (xenofiction). Recently, they’ve introduced a feature allowing multiplayer, where players can experience the game together. This leads to more laughter as two geese collaborate to create twice the havoc for unsuspecting humans who are puzzled by these unusually aggressive birds causing them so much difficulty.

1 Stray

A Cat Explores A Ruined Cyberpunk City

Among the most beloved xeno-fiction video games ever created, “Stray” offers gamers the chance to navigate the world using a charming cat character who finds itself isolated from its companions. In an abandoned metropolis bereft of human inhabitants, players encounter a drone named B-12, which assists them in ascending towards the city’s surface. “Stray” is an exceptional choice for those seeking more tranquil and absorbing gaming experiences, as exploration plays a significant role in helping players uncover the mystery behind this deserted city.

1. In the role of a cat, players can leap and navigate through spaces which are inaccessible to ordinary humans, though there are none present in this world. The robots dwelling within this city are charming yet portray a bleak depiction of a pandemic that wiped out humanity, leaving behind their robot Companions who evolved self-awareness and constructed a civilization within this subterranean refuge, initially designed to protect humans from the catastrophic event.

2024-08-23 09:04