Whilst the world of science fiction is usually referenced and seen in the world of film, it’s certainly made its fair share of dents in the video gaming sector as well. A scene that is worth more than the music and film sectors put together, it’s no wonder the genre has been targeting more and more releases over the past few years.
Titles such as No Man’s Sky and the incoming CyberPunk 2077 have generated more hype in the gaming community than most other high-profile releases, showcasing just how hand-in-hand these two worlds are going to become as further releases are launched.
Here is our definitive list on the absolute best science fiction video games of all time.
Half-Life 2
So good that is has spawned an ironically beloved internet meme for much of the 2010s, Half Life 2 is one of the few games in Valve’s extensive Steam library to boast a full 10/10 rating. With a $40 million, five year long development plan, Half-Life 2 follows the story of physicist Gordon Freeman as he desperately fights hordes of the alien species known as the Combine to try and salvage humanity.
Half-Life 2 is the ultimate gamer’s game. Bringing together the worlds of science fiction and first person shooting, Half-Life introduces all manner of features and additions that no one in the gaming world had ever seen before. From the infamous gravity gun, to its beautiful attention the game’s world, it’s a title that still invokes a warm reception from any self-respecting gaming fan to this day.
Fallout 3
Whilst we might be leaning with our nostalgia head on this one, we still think Fallout 3 is the best addition to the Fallout series. The game that really kicked off Fallout’s famous post-apocalyptic, retro 1950s look, the rest of the Fallout series owes more than people realise to this release. Overtaking The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion as Bethesda’s best selling title, Fallout 3’s sales were matched only by the critical acclaim generated from its reviewers and fans alike.
Once again taking place after a nuclear war, the game is legendary for its extensive character creation, variety in levelling upgrades and that Bethesda-guaranteed gorgeous world design.
StarCraft
If Blizzard’s ‘World of Warcraft’ series is the king of the fantasy genre, then ‘StarCraft’ is the titan of science fiction. Set during the 25th century in the (fictional) part of the Milky Way known as the Koprulu Sector, StarCraft is the ultimate real-time strategy title. With its scaling AI difficulty, resource management and extensive ways of utilising the game’s three distinct races, StarCraft revolutionised the way strategy games were set up forever.
StarCraft’s multiplayer mode has continued to draw players in from around the world, and its extensive amounts of strategy and planning make it hugely popular in the world of Esports. StarCraft is a perfect example of a near-flawless title exceeding all expectations, but also as a title that has enjoyed years of longevity purely from the quality of its gameplay. You can’t help but feel a lot of titles released today would do well to learn from the likes of StarCraft.
Space Invaders
Not only would it not be factually correct to not include Space Invaders in a list of the world’s greatest science fiction games, but it would just feel wrong. After all, very few pieces of entertainment can say they have had the cultural impact that Space Invaders has since its release in 1978. Instantly recognisable to millions of people around the world, Space Invaders is the game that kicked everything off.
With its vintage retro look and arcade-levels of addictive gameplay, it’s unsurprising to see that Space Invaders is still pulling in millions of players from across the world even now.
