I’ll be honest — when I’m picking a game to play, I almost always reach for something set in a fantasy world. It’s what I grew up with, and let’s face it, nothing beats a good sword-swinging, magic-filled adventure. Plus, it feels like there are just more fantasy games out there than sci-fi ones.
But every now and then, a sci-fi game comes along that completely pulls me in. The kind that makes me forget all about dragons and elves because I’m too busy navigating space politics or fighting off rogue AIs. And if you’re anything like me — a fantasy fan at heart but curious about what sci-fi has to offer — you’re probably wondering which games are actually worth your time.
So, here’s a list of the very best sci-fi games out there.
Prey (2017)
Prey is probably one of the most immersive sci-fi games ever made. The space station, Talos I, feels like a real place and the atmosphere is so eerie, so tense that you never feel truly safe.
You play as Morgan Yu, and right from the start, things go sideways. Talos is overrun with alien creatures with some seriously creepy abilities. As you explore, you start unraveling the truth behind the experiments that brought you here and the role you might have played in all of it.
On the flip side, I have to say that the enemies can be a bit bland, and the combat isn’t supremely interesting. And by the end, it all feels a little repetitive, but the experience is really memorable and more about the mystery than fighting. If you love SciFi (or are just dipping your toes into it) this is a great pick.
Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a little older now, but it’s still one of the best sci-fi series ever made — and the Legendary Edition brings all three games together, which is a nice bonus (plus, the visuals are updated).
This trilogy follows Shepard, a human soldier who ends up in a galaxy-threatening conflict with an ancient race of synthetic life forms known as the Reapers. The plot is great, the relationships you can build are truly fantastic, and you can make a bunch of decisions that change the story.
Plus, you can transfer your decisions from one game to another, so you get one deep, complete journey.
The gameplay does feel a bit dated at some spots, especially if you’re more used to modern RPGs, but it’s still well-worth playing.
SOMA
Okay, sure, SOMA is a bit more horror than it is sci-fi, but it still fits the genre and it’s genuinely one of those games that will stick with you long after you finish it.
SOMA is set in an underwater facility in the Atlantic. You’ll play as Simon Jarrett, a character with no memory of how he got to the bottom of the ocean. The worst part is that you’re not completely alone.
If you have even an inkling of thalassophobia (or just a reasonable fear of oceans, because who knows what’s out there), prepare yourself mentally. The environments are beautiful but also so frightening and unsettling.
The pace of this is a bit slower and the game is somewhat philosophical in nature, so keep that in mind in case you’re looking for something more fast-paced.
Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is a good choice if you prefer games without fighting. It allows you to explore space without the constant threat of dying. Instead, you get a bit of mystery, a bit of good storytelling and a lot of existential questions.
Outer Wilds puts you in a 22 minute time loop which resets every time the sun goes supernova. Within each loop, you’re meant to find out why the Nomai civilization went extinct and why there’s even a time loop.
With each turn, you get to understand the world better. So, if you want to complete it, you’ll need to be observant and adjust the way you explore. And if you end up liking the base game, I recommend getting the Echoes of the Eye DLC which will give you more story and mystery.
Subnautica
Subnautica is a sci-fi game of the survival variety. Just like in SOMA, it all happens underwater. And the ocean is beautiful, the swimming relaxing — that is, until you run into a gigantic beast that gets to eat you for breakfast.
Unlike in SOMA, you’re not in the Atlantic, but on an alien planet that’s all ocean. You’ll get to explore, craft equipment, gather resources, build bases and all that, all while uncovering mysteries of what happened to the previous explorers and the planet as a whole.
It’s truly one of the most beautiful and relaxing games to play, monsters aside.
No Man’s Sky
If you’re into sandbox games that let you explore, No Man’s Sky is the perfect sci-fi game for you. And boy, do you have a lot to explore — this game has over 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets, each with its own ecosystems, weather, and alien life. Impressive, right?
And on top of that, you get to do what you want to do — trade stuff, build bases, become a pirate, or just travel around the universe. It’s a beautiful, open world, and your experience might be entirely different than someone else’s, with how many places there are to visit.
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is a co-op FPS with space dwarves — sounds awesome already, right? But you also get procedurally generated caves, a bunch of monsters, and fully destructible environments.
There are four classes to pick from (Scout, Gunner, Driller, Engineer) and each gets its own abilities and weapons. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best games to play with friends, and definitely a good one to check out if you love space games, but the less philosophical kind.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
This game is a decent blend of role-playing and first-person shooter, if you want more action but also a great story.
You begin Deus Ex as Adam Jensen, who is a human augmented with cybernetics, and works as a security officer. The world is full of conspiracies and moral dilemmas, and you have to make choices that will ultimately influence what you get of (and out of) the story.
Besides the RPG staple slike combat and stealth, you’ll also get to hack and do many other things that make this game feel fresh. The boss battles are nothing new, but the world is atmospheric, the story compelling, so I highly recommend playing it.
Cyberpunk 2077
If you like large, well-built worlds, then you’ll definitely like Cyberpunk. This isn’t what you imagine sci-fi would be — there’s no space, aliens, or anything you’d expect, but it’s still a universe that offers high-tech and cybernetics. So, close enough.
There’s rich storytelling, fun characters, and a bunch of action that will take you all over the Cyberpunk world.
The Planet Crafter
The Planet Crafter is a survival game that lets you turn a barren world into a sprawling, lush ecosystem. You can play it alone or with friends and your main job is to terraform a planet. The tools at the beginning are basic, but as you progress, you can gather more resources, create bases and make machines for all sorts of things.
All of your effort will be visible on the planet itself — what starts out as icy wilderness might turn into lush forests. Other than that, you can also explore and uncover different mysteries, learn about previous expeditions, etc.
Half-Life: Alyx
All of the Half-Life titles are great, but this one is even better because it’s built to be played in VR. And if you want the ultimate sci-fi experience, this is it.
It’s set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. You play as Alyx Vance as she fights against the aliens to save her father. The environment is tactile and very responsive and it allows you to interact with objects in new and fresh ways.
So, if you have a VR set (or if it’s in the budget), this game is a good choice. Unfortunately, if this is not the case, you won’t be able to play it.
Horizon: Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the continuation of Aloy’s journey through the post-apocalyptic world. All of this happens six months after the events in the first game, in the Forbidden West (as the title says), which is actually parts of California, Nevada and Utah. Aloy will need to stop a new blight from destroying the Earth.
Much like Cyberpunk (but in a different way), this isn’t quite sci-fi as you expect it but it does show you all sci-fi can be.
You’ll get to trek across a beautiful open world, and enjoy some new gameplay elements (for Horizon), like underwater exploration, shieldwing glider, and a grappling hook.
Alien: Isolation
If you like horror games (and especially the Alien movie) but want to try a bit of sci-fi, Alien: Isolation is the perfect choice.
You’ll play as Ellen Ripley, Amanda Ripley’s daughter as she searches for answers aboard the decaying space station Sevastopol. The station is overrun with hostile humans, malfunctioning androids, and, most terrifyingly, a relentless Xenomorph that hunts you with terrifying intelligence.
The best part, though, is the atmosphere — the sound design and the lighting both play a role to keep you terrified. And the AI of the Xenomorph is truly impressive, because it learns from what you’re doing and adjusts its next move based on that.
Stellaris
And here’s a bit of sci-fi for strategy lovers — Stellaris is so deep and complex. It allows you to build empires, be an interstellar diplomat, create a backstory for your species, create a species, and so much more. Each decision you make affects your gameplay and interactions.
All of this is set in a procedurally generated galaxy, to which you can dispatch science ships (which will find new planets for you to colonize). If you ever played Knights of Honor, it’s a bit like that, but set in space (and a lot deeper).
Control: Ultimate Edition
Control: Ultimate Edition is a game full of physics (until they break), reality twists, and the supernatural — which is supremely weird in sci-fi, but a nice addition anyway.
The main character is Jesse Faden, a woman looking for her missing brother in the Federal Bureau of Control. There are secrets that defy logic, shifting architecture and a bunch of enemies along the way. And of course, there’s an organization with a dark past.
Heliopolis Six
This is an indie game and still in early access which in this case means that it’s often buggy, has some spelling and grammar mistakes in-text and clunky systems overall. But (and this is a big but) it has potential.
So, you play Heliopolis Six as a station director in charge of creating a habitat by finding parts in space. You have a bunch of residents, each of which has a personality and needs. The key here is resource management and keeping people happy. A bit like Frostpunk in space, right?
And the premise is interesting, but keep in mind that it’s in a rougher shape than most of the other games on this list.
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