Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest and unforgettable games through the years. For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to sci-fi games. From chilling third-person shooters to action RPGs, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Dead Space (Series)
Dead Space is a highly regarded sci-fi horror game. Its world will shower players with a world full of thrills and mystery. It has an endearing plot with fun plot twists and a horrifying atmosphere. In this game, players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer who boards a decrepit flagship called the USG Ishimura. While trying to escape, Isaac must solve many puzzles, fix vehicles, and combat hordes of menacing aliens called Necromorphs. Its mysterious atmosphere will fill players with stress as they search their terrain for resources. During your expedition, you must locate air and health supply, ammunition, and nodes. The nodes will assist you in unlocking special doors and upgrading your equipment. The game’s zero-gravity mechanic makes it easier for Isaac to jump around and attach himself to iron walls. Don’t praise it too much as the enemies you’ll encounter can benefit from this. If you’re on the hunt for a chilling sci-fi horror game, check out Dead Space.
Mass Effect 2
The Mass Effect series features a remarkable cast, engaging plots, and fun futuristic environments to travel through. The game’s second entry is regarded as its best. This entry gave fans a more personalized experience. With its alternate story routes its phenomenal combat, there’s much fun to be had with Mass Effect 2. Many regard this as an incredible entry as it improved the first game’s weaker aspects. In Mass Effect 2, the characters and worlds receive more depth. Each character you meet has its own set of tasks for you to complete and personalities worth remembering. The series’s combat saw a steady increase, too. This game gave players the option to participate in traditional third-person shooter combat or opt for a more tactical RPG approach. Whether through its gameplay or storytelling, fans will walk away from the second entry with a smile on their face.
Bioshock (Series)
The Bioshock series spawns incredible replay value and storytelling. Each game centers around a different protagonist, whose stories somewhat intertwine by the third game. With its tense atmosphere, gloomy environments, and fun gameplay, Bioshock is a worthwhile gem to add to your sci-fi gaming catalog. The Bioshock series offers numerous ways to attack your foes. You can shoot at foes with SMGs, use melee weapons to bash their skulls, or utilize supernatural plasmid attacks to lay waste to enemies. The game offers enough weapons and combat potential to keep you satisfied.
Outer Wilds
This game delivers a unique spin on the adventure genre. It delves into sci-fi-oriented topics like universal resets and time manipulation. Accompanied by a well-crafted plotline and satisfying puzzles, you’re in for a challenging yet delightful time with Outer Wilds. This game revolves around an alien who enjoys solving puzzles and exploring new worlds. However, this game contains a time limit. After 22 minutes pass, your world gets engulfed by a supernova. This event leads to a universal reset and transports our character home each time. Don’t let this bother you. The effort you put into your first exploration transfers over to the next universe. This allows you to continue where you left off in the prior world. The mechanic entices players to explore their surroundings to the fullest. Each planet features distinct species, puzzles, and agendas for you to complete. Fans looking for a fun adventure game with an astounding twist should look no further than Outer Wilds.
Halo (Franchise)
Although it’s not as cherished as it was in the mid-2000s, diehard Halo fans can’t get enough of it. This game popularized first-person shooter games alongside Call of Duty and others. This franchise follows the nonstop galactic war between humanity and an alien race. At the center of it all is Master Chief, a super soldier with spunk, wit, and strength. Each Halo game offers a fun story to seek your teeth into and epic gameplay mechanics and modes to play alongside your friends. While later games contained divisive story beats, some can look past their faults and have a fun time. From Slayer to Firefight, there’s a boatload of competitive activities for you and your buddies to compete in. At the same time, some Halo games offer a fun level creator called Forge mode. This mode allows you to create maps of your wildest imaginations. If you’ve never played Halo before, I’d suggest giving the older games a shot first before diving into later games like Halo Infinite.
NieR: Automata
Platinum Games’s known for creating phenomenal action-centric titles like Astral Chain and Bayonetta. Eventually, they’d go on to create NieR: Automata, an action RPG with soothing music, beautiful scenery, and memorable characters. NieR: Automata takes place during a proxy war between alien-made machines and human-crafted androids. It follows the combat android 2B, scanner android 9S, and rogue prototype A2. This is one of those games that warrants several play sessions, as you’ll be able to unlock additional story elements. This title combines RPG elements with addictive hack-and-slash combat. While you’ll be slashing your way through multiple enemies, you can look forward to summoning rideable beasts and pilotable mechs. These instances entice players to explore the beautifully mesmerizing world Platinum Games created. In addition, players can complete NPC side quests and purchase consumables and items from shops. If any of that interests you, I’d highly recommend giving this game a chance.
Fallout New Vegas
Like Halo, the Fallout franchise dipped in quality over the years. This sudden dip persuaded players to revisit the series’s earlier entries. While it may feel and look like a relic, Fallout New Vegas holds up well. With its fun RPG mechanics, distinct creatures, and fun-filled side quests, this is a title worthy of your time. In it, players explore a wide-open desert and visit habitable and uninhabitable lands. You can purchase items from each area’s shops or locate them by exploring your terrain. The weapons vary in gimmick and effect. These gimmicks provide players with enough experimentation and fun ways to murder their foes. The game can be challenging to those that like to rush into shooter titles gun blazing. This is a game that benefits those who take the time with it. On that note, the game’s world feels lively and contains enough colorful personalities worth completing missions for.
Portal (Series)
Valve may not make exciting games like they used to, but it doesn’t hurt to revisit or tamper with the games of their past. Like previous titles, Portal offers an original and awe-inspiring world worth experiencing. With its dark plot, distinct puzzle gameplay, and well-written dialogue, you’re in for a treat with this one. In it, players follow Chell, who must create portals to solve an AI named GLaDOS’s many puzzles. Learning this title’s physics is integral to helping you forge a grand time with it. Momentum, preservation, and redirection are the three elements players must master before diving into both Portal games. Our protagonist’s vulnerability is at an all-time high. The game introduces numerous obstacles to infuriate you from bouncing energy balls to toxic substances. If you’re looking for a puzzle game with enthusiasm, originality, and mystery, Portal is the one for you.
Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 is arguably the greatest entry in the franchise. It builds upon the first game’s concepts wonderfully while wrapping players into a world full of satisfying turns. With its weapon variety, astounding cast, and well-written plot, this is the Borderlands game you’ll want to play with your friends. In it, players take on the role of new vault hunters who must defeat the menacing mastermind, Handsome Jack. Jack won’t offer his defeat on a silver platter, as you’ll be facing numerous foes before you reach Jack. These enemies vary from sadistic bandits to cybernetic robots. Borderlands 2’s gameplay loop is satisfying. You’ll defeat these foes using a wide range of weapons and special abilities tailored to your character’s class. For example, selecting the vault hunter Maya will grant you access to Esper powers while Salvador gives you the chance to wield two guns at once. In addition to its addictive skill trees, leveling system, and character customization options, you can’t go wrong with playing Borderlands 2.
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 is a spectacular follow-up to Half-Life. Some go as far as calling it the best first-person shooter game of all time. The first game introduces multiple exhilarating action sequences that’ll get your heart pumping. Half-Life’s storytelling featured some phenomenal twists and progression to keep players attention. Half-Life 2 takes what made the original a stellar time, and amps everything up tenfold. This title gives players the opportunity to interact with their environments more. Valve made sure to crank the game’s visuals up a notch with Half-Life 2. Everything looks and feels more realistic and pleasing to play in Half-Life 2. This game’s AI receives some vast upgrades too. No longer must players worry about computer allies charging in battles blindly. In Half-Life 2, you can assess the battlefield and craft integral weapons to assist you. If you enjoyed the first game’s combat, tension, and storytelling, you’ll adore what Half-Life 2 delivers. So, there we have it, our pick for the best sci-fi video games through the years! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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