The Best Sci-Fi Games Without Humans

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that games without humans are a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi genre. They allow for unique worlds to be created and themes to be explored that wouldn’t be possible with our familiar homosapiens.

Occasionally, creators in the science fiction genre opt for a more daring choice: excluding humans from the story. While there might be beings resembling humans, often referred to as “humanoids,” they are unique entities with their own characteristics and challenges. Eliminating humans can sometimes provide a wealth of creative opportunities.

By executing it skillfully, it can generate an entirely distinct universe apart from ours, yet one that remains relatable to human audiences through its themes. In the realm of video gaming, this approach can offer exceptional science fiction experiences that are devoid of human characters.

7 Abzu

You Are the Last of an Old Race

In this reimagined version, the timeless game titled Giant Squid centers around a mysterious diver venturing through diverse underwater ecosystems in an attempt to revitalize a once-decimated ocean. The title subtly weaves environmental messages throughout its gameplay, while also presenting intriguing aspects for the player’s persona. A notable twist occurs when she is hurt and unveiled as a robot. Yet, what truly piques interest are the subtle clues that hint at the game’s background narrative.

A portion of the game features a sequence set in ruined structures adorned with murals depicting the fate of the ocean, suggesting a narrative about beings who bear a striking resemblance to the player’s character. These figures seem to imply a past civilization that over-exploited their resources and failed to replenish them adequately, ultimately leading to catastrophe.

6 Kerbal Space Program

Like NASA, But Silly

In the game where real-life rocket physics is mimicked extensively, you might assume it features real astronauts. However, in the case of Kerbal Space Program, a different choice was made – instead of humans, comical green characters known as “Kerbals” are the ones attempting space exploration, frequently finding themselves in various predicaments during their cosmic adventures.

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In a somewhat humorous twist, the unconventional nature of Kerbal Space Program, although rooted in real-life physics, tends not to be overly serious. A major aspect of this game revolves around the humorously chaotic results when individuals outside the field of aerospace engineering attempt to construct functional rockets. The choice to represent these characters as more caricatured Kerbals, rather than realistic astronauts, greatly facilitates accepting this entertaining element of the game.

5 No Man’s Sky

An Infinite Universe Full of Aliens

Greetings! The expansive, procedurally generated universe crafted by Hello Games invites players to traverse a cosmos teeming with extraterrestrial lifeforms. From the native plant and animal species on each planet to sophisticated alien civilizations, diversity abounds in this world. It’s worth mentioning that humans seem to be absent from this realm. Instead, you’ll encounter a variety of characters—all of them aliens. Even your player character, though possessing a humanoid physique, isn’t explicitly confirmed as human.

In this intriguing world, my character, or rather, the default entity, is mysteriously referred to as an “anomaly.” They are always clad in a space suit that remains unremovable, shrouding their true form in secrecy. Moreover, the game hints that I might be the sole representation of my kind (with exceptions if you’re playing multiplayer). This adds to the enigma, as it leaves uncertain whether Earth exists within this cosmic landscape.

4 Outer Wilds

An Alien Solar System

In this peculiar title by Mobius Digital, the story unfolds within a miniature Solar System that exists only in fiction. Players journey across multiple planets, interacting with diverse alien characters and creatures they encounter along the way. The principal race, including the player character, are a species of blue four-eyed beings known as Hearthlings.

Besides the remnants of an ancient race known as the Nomai, which can still be found scattered throughout the system, and the enigmatic inhabitants of the Stranger, players will also come across colossal space anglerfish and jellyfish in the underwater realm of Giant’s Deep. Among the alien life forms, some resemble humans, but no actual human presence is detectable anywhere.

3 Ratchet and Clank

A Cast of Goofy Aliens and Robots

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been captivated by Insomniac’s iconic action-platformer series, filled with intriguing characters like aliens and robots, even the main ones, but never any humans. The closest we’ve come are the Markazians and Kerwanians, who share a striking resemblance to us, as evidenced by Captain Qwark. However, they are undeniably not human in their true form.

Actually, the franchise doesn’t explicitly confirm whether or not humans inhabit this universe. However, this ambiguity suits the game perfectly well due to its exaggerated action and absurd storylines, as it opens up opportunities for inventive character creations that embody the series’ eccentricities.

2 Spore

Create Your Own Species

In the acclaimed simulation game developed by Will Wright, players focus on crafting unique species and nurturing them from simple, single-celled organisms to complex, space-exploring civilizations. Thus, human characters are not essential within this expansive timeline that surpasses the entirety of human existence.

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In this game, the ‘Cell Stage’ represents an era similar to the Archaen Period, while the ‘Creature Stage’ mirrors the Devonian. Between these stages lies a vast expanse of about 1 billion years. This gap is actually larger than the time span between the Devonian Period and present day. There are yet three more periods before reaching the era that even remotely resembles primates. In the grand scheme of this game’s timeline, humans would be a very tiny part.

1 Stellaris

Taking Out Humans is a Valid Option

In this case, the game doesn’t feature humans as default characters; instead, it offers the flexibility to play without them. You can select from various government entities, each composed of multiple species, or even create your own faction. If you prefer playing as a human, you need to explicitly choose one of the two available human governments.

As a space enthusiast, stepping into a human-absent cosmos where I can shape my own alien government or design a new species entirely is a thrilling prospect! This galaxy teems with diverse alien governments, exotic alien fauna, and even ancient civilizations harboring hidden mysteries. While I could explore this universe as a human, the allure of traversing it as an original creation adds a layer of intrigue that’s hard to resist.

2024-11-26 18:56