Games allow players to explore various unique settings and areas that simply wouldn't be popular in real life. As a result, it's easy to see why sci-fi franchises would be so popular, given how much players love exploring unique worlds and being taken aback by the amazing sights that they can witness across various habitable planets. As a result, some of the most popular video games around dabble in the sci-fi genre with varying degrees of success.

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Some games are so good at doing justice to this genre that these titles end up spawning full-blown franchises, although this might open the door for these IPs to be affected negatively after a bad video game comes out at some point or the other. Thankfully, the following video game franchises have done justice to the sci-fi moniker and delivered excellent video game experiences that flesh out their worlds and make them such a joy to explore.

8 Mass Effect

Star Trek Inspired Games Mass Effect

Mass Effect is one of the best sci-fi video game franchises of all time, with this game turning BioWare into a household name in the industry along with Dragon Age. The original trilogy depicted Commander Shepard's heroics in a brilliant manner, even if many fans were split down the middle when it came to the ending.

Mass Effect: Andromeda might be the weakest game in the series, but that still didn't impact the legacy of Mass Effect as much as people thought. The release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition has placated some of the ire people had against BioWare, and hopefully the next game in the series will do a much better job of representing this iconic sci-fi IP.

7 BioShock

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BioShock is Ken Levine's magnum opus, with the three games in this series being some of the best sci-fi third-person shooters ever made. Of course, the series might not have the most overt sci-fi setting around, but it dabbles in enough elements to qualify for a place in this genre.

The BioShock games are mainly remembered for their narratives, which are truly excellent in their own right. The final game in the trilogy incorporated a mind-bending plot that was pretty fascinating in its own right, capping off one of the most iconic gaming trilogies of all time.

6 Half-Life

Screenshot from Half-Life showing the inside of the test chamber just before the disaster.

Half-Life is arguably one of the greatest games released by Valve, showcasing just how adept the company really is when it actually decides to develop games. The two mainline games and their expansions are quite fun in their own right, with Half-Life: Alyx bringing the franchise over to the realm of VR in a successful fashion.

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Half-Life's intriguing world and riveting narrative make it a blast from start to end. Experiencing the latest release might require substantial investment, but most people would argue that putting in this effort is well worth it for the excellent gameplay that players can enjoy.

5 Dead Space

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The Dead Space reboot is something that fans are awaiting with bated breath, and rightfully so. The first two games are some of the scariest and most engaging horror experiences that players can subject themselves to, with the idea of roaming around a desolate spaceship being as frightening as ever.

It's unfortunate that the third game sacrificed a lot of what made the first two titles special, but it's still worth playing for fans of the series. With the reboot right around the corner, many fans are excited to see what plans EA has for this special IP's future.

4 Halo

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It would be impossible to talk about critically acclaimed sci-fi video game franchises without mentioning Halo. Ever since the first game, fans were wowed by the sheer scope of Halo and the journey of Master Chief to save humanity from the various alien species that threaten their existence.

Each game in the Halo series is excellent in its own right, despite the irritation some fans might feel with the direction this franchise took with its more recent installments. Thankfully, Halo Infinite grounded the narrative of the series once again and is a great title for both new and existing fans to jump into... even if its multiplayer components might be sorely lacking.

3 Metroid

Samus Aran encounters the X Parasite for the first time in a flashback in Metroid Dread

Metroid is one of Nintendo's classic franchises that revolutionized gaming in many ways, as is the case with most of the groundbreaking titles released by this company. The latest game in this franchise, Metroid Dread, proved once again why this title is beloved by so many fans.

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The wondrous sense of exploration and progression is unmatched in even the most impressive Metroidvania titles around. The fact that a game like Metroid: Other M didn't tank the overall ratings of this franchise is a testament to just how high the standards of Metroid really are.

2 Borderlands

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The Borderlands franchise combines facets of both the western and sci-fi genres to make for a unique and entertaining experience, especially with friends! Most people point to the third game as the black sheep of the franchise, but even this title is enjoyable for players who love this series with all their heart.

From the game's hilarious writing to its tight first-person shooting gameplay, Borderlands is a great title that both new and old players will enjoy. The art style of this franchise is undoubtedly its most iconic part and is a major reason why the series became so popular in the first place.

1 Deus Ex

The front cover of the original Deus Ex showing J.C. Denton looking up at a light beaming down.

Deus Ex is a legendary video franchise that many people adore to this day. The fact that the team behind these games is working on a new title after being acquired by Embracer Group is a piece of great news for many fans.

Each game in the Deus Ex series is quite engaging in its own right, combining facets of action-adventure and RPG systems to make for a unique experience. The recent Adam Jensen duology is a great way to get acquainted with this series, even if some of its mechanics are dumbed down compared to the first game that is lauded by many as one of the greatest video games of all time.

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