Just like Tolkienesque fantasy is perfect for creating game worlds in all kinds of genres so is science fiction. In fact, science fiction can be more flexible in terms of creativity than fantasy because of expansive it and the different sub-genres it can cover. There are space operas like the Mass Effect series, cyberpunk like Deus Ex, action science fiction like Gears of War, or science fantasy like many of the recent Final Fantasy titles.
Unfortunately, due to the massive successes of the biggest franchises in the industry, there are many sci-fi games that get overlooked. Let’s take a look at some of the most overlooked, underrated and forgotten sci-fi games that need to be played.
10 Transformers War For Cybertron
Released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, Transformers: War for Cybertron was the first game in a long line terrible movie tie-ins that fully understood what the franchise was about. The game offers player two meaty campaigns from both the Autobots and the Decepticons point of view, and they could be played cooperatively. The voice work is fantastic with Peter Cullen returning to voice Optimus Prime.
War for Cybertron’s cover shooter gameplay blend seamlessly with the transformation mechanics giving the player an excellent sense of control. Its sequel Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is also worth hunting down for fans of the series.
9 Second Sight
Second Sight was released on the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and the Xbox in 2004. It was developed by Free Radical Design, a team that worked on Goldeneye 007 and the Timesplitters series. Despite being overlooked at the time of its release, Second Sight is considered by many fans to be their best single-player title.
It provides gamers with already sold third-person shooter mechanics with some of the most creative and clever use of psychic powers. Due to its low sales, any plans for a sequel were scrapped. Its closest rival in terms of powers and creativity is 2019’s Control. Fans have been given some hope for a sequel, however, with the announcement that THQ Nordic acquiring the rights for Second Sight in 2018.
8 Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Enslaved: Odyssey the West was released for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 in 2010, with the PC port following in 2013. It was a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game developed by Ninja Theory who also created Heavenly Sword, DmC, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.
Taking inspiration from the Journey the West novels, Enslaved’s story is one of the best in its generation. Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, the game was beautiful and colorful, the voice work and motion capture provided by Andy Serkis and Lindsey Shaw was flawless. For those that enjoyed action titles like the Uncharted series should definitely give Enslaved a try.
7 Vanquish
Originally released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Vanquish is a high-octane science fiction shooter from PlatinumGames the developers of Nier: Automata and Astral Chain. It’s a stylish third-person shooter with unique slide and bullet-time mechanics.
PlatinumGames’ action games are always brilliant at empowering the player and making them feel like action heroes, and Vanquish is no different. Yet, despite that feeling of empowerment, it’s a very challenging game, especially compared to its rivals. This could have lead to low sales figures for Vanquish, but it has a second chance with the upcoming 10-year anniversary edition bundled together with Bayonetta for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
6 Binary Domain
Binary Domain was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2012. It was developed by the Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio, which also created the action RPG franchise Yakuza. Binary Domain is a third-person action-shooter set in a cyberpunk-style Tokyo future where androids have turned against humans.
Coming from the makers of the Yakuza series, the story is gripping from start to finish and has an excellent cast of characters. In addition, it featured a unique consequence system based on quick decisions right in the middle of the action. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a big seller at the time of its release, which could have been down Sega's terrible marketing or the generic 90s style box art. Either way, it’s a game that should be played by fans of the sci-fi genre.
5 Satellite Reign
Released in 2015 for the PC, Satellite Reign a real-time strategy game developed by 5 Lives Studios. It’s a spiritual successor to the original Syndicate/Syndicate Wars series, with development being lead by original Syndicate designer Mike Diskett.
Like its predecessors, Satellite Reign is a very tough game that requires a lot of time and patience. At the same time, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience with a beautiful cyberpunk city to combat in, and it feels like the true sequel to the beloved Syndicate series.
4 Syndicate (2012)
EA’s Syndicate was released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Dropping the real-time tactical gameplay of its predecessors and opting for first-person shooter mechanics, the reboot understandably upset fans of the franchise that wanted a return to the strategic gameplay mechanics.
However, for those that look past the series’ expectations will find a very slick shooter developed by Starbreeze Studios. The cyberpunk setting of the original games worked well with its DART chip hacking mechanics stylishly integrated into the game’s fast-paced shooting.
3 Prey (2017)
Released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PC in 2017, Arkane Studio’s Prey was developed as a spiritual successor to System Shock as opposed to having any relation to the 2006 original. Unfortunately, just like the original game, Prey was criminally overlooked by gamers, and its sales suffered as a result.
Prey is a first-person horror shooter where the player will find themselves hunted by an alien force known as the Typhon. It’s set on an open-world space station with atmosphere and tension ramped up by the fact that there could be an enemy disguised as seemingly harmless objects around every corner.
2 Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine
Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. Taking place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Space Marine is a third-person action game with melee combat and shooting mechanics.
It was developed by a team that had experience in developing God of War and Gears of War, and, despite the linear mission style, it has some of the most solid mechanics in the genre. The visuals are still excellent, with great character designs, and are accompanied by an excellent soundtrack.
1 The Surge Series
The Surge and The Surge 2 released in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Developed by Deck 13 Interactive, the games are sci-fi action RPGs that are inspired by the Dark Souls series. Just like the Souls games, it features interconnected environments that open up as the game progresses, as well as a focus on epic boss battles.
In addition to the science fiction setting, The Surge series sets itself apart from the Souls games with its brutal targeted combat system. The system allows players to attack their enemy's limbs and end fights with a satisfying finishing move. Furthermore, The Surge 2 added improvements to the blocking and parrying system which works like Ubisoft’s For Honor series.