Any game that manages to do justice to the sci-fi genre is worth checking out, with this genre absolutely flourishing in the realm of video games. Developers that do a great job of representing this genre end up with some great gems on their hands, regardless of whether these titles are full-blown AAA experiences or indie offerings that have so much more to show than what meets the eye.
Of course, it would be impossible to talk about sci-fi without mentioning the brilliance of artificial intelligence and everything it has to offer. In the real world itself, AI is taking massive strides and is poised to play a major role in the lives of humans further down the line. Meanwhile, AI also has played a major role in many popular video games, with the most notable examples in this regard being mentioned below.
8 Cyberpunk 2077
The world of Cyberpunk 2077 is a bleak one, with corporations running the world and people augmenting themselves with as much tech as possible until they lose their very sense of self. The game pulls no punches in showing just how much life can be affected when technological developments go out of hand.
This applies to the development of artificial and virtual intelligence as well, something that Cyberpunk 2077 discusses in immense detail. AI gaining sentience is something that is discussed almost all the time, with Alt herself serving as a rogue AI that could possibly help V and Silverhand resolve their issues if the player decided to go down that route.
7 Soma
The idea of AI going rogue and taking over humanity is something that is quite dire indeed, and part of this notion is explored in Soma. The developers of Amnesia had clearly improved their chops after working on this legendary horror series, and this showed in the brilliant and haunting story told in Soma.
Soma takes place in an isolated underwater research facility called PATHOS-II, where an AI called the Warden Unit was maintaining the facility through complex controls before going rogue and taking over the entire facility. Uncovering the story of Soma is riveting and one of the biggest reasons why so many people love this title.
6 Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn features one of the most unique worlds in gaming, dealing with a post-apocalyptic society where an unknown tragedy has forced humans back into the lifestyle of tribes in a world where mechanical monsters run rampant. Suffice it to say, uncovering the backstory of humans before the collapse makes for a great time.
The very fact that the game's most prominent antagonist is a rogue AI shows just how far technology can go if left unchecked. Taking down HADES in Horizon Zero Dawn makes for a great time, with the sequel fleshing out this amazing world to a greater degree.
5 Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human deals with the critical question of AI going sentient and what this entails for the world. After androids are indentured into slavery and face the atrocities of humans for the longest time, these creations stage an uprising with several personal stories taking place in the background too.
There's no denying that Detroit: Become Human has its fair share of flaws, but the questions it poses in regard to AI are pretty riveting indeed. Fans of sci-fi narratives that are written with great panache should give this title a shot, with its gorgeous graphics making the title even more of a treat to play through!
4 I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream
Out of all the games on this list, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is easily one of the most terrifying of the lot. The game takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth where all of humanity has been culled aside from five unlucky souls that have been tortured by a supercomputer called AM for more than a century.
The journeys that these five humans go through are quite traumatic in their own right, but a sliver of hope is revealed that can be turned into a reality if the player wishes. Of course, going against the wishes of AM is easier said than done, with this AI never failing to torture the player at every opportunity.
3 System Shock
System Shock is one of the best immersive sims ever made, and fans can't wait to check out this title's promising remake. It introduced one of the most notable villainous AIs in gaming, SHODAN.
SHODAN is a truly horrifying entity that looks down on humans and never fails to make their lives hell at every opportunity. This rogue AI plays a central role in both games, even if The Many might take some of her spotlight in the second title.
2 Portal 2
The Portal games are some of the most clever puzzle titles ever made, with the story taking on a life of its own in the second title. Portal 2 expands upon everything in the first game, introducing another new AI to play a major role in the narrative along with Glados.
Working out the many puzzles in the game and taking down Wheatley by sending him to space makes for a great time. Portal 2 is pretty much the definition of a perfect sequel, and fans are still sad to this day that the series hasn't been graced by a third title yet.
1 The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is another great puzzle game in the same vein as Portal, even if it might lack a lot of the humor present in the latter. Regardless, the game's unique and interesting world is bolstered by a set of well-thought-out puzzles that can take a while to solve.
The overarching narrative of The Talos Principle is a slow burn, but an engaging one regardless. Slowly uncovering the mystery surrounding this game and understanding the role AI plays in it makes for a great time indeed.