5 Sci-Fi Games Not Enough People Remember

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Science fiction has been a core part of video games since the very beginning, with early hits like Tempest and Asteroids focusing on spaceships and action. Because of this long history, there’s a huge number of sci-fi games available. While many are based on popular franchises like Star Wars, a lot of them are original creations, offering a wide range of experiences. Over the years, numerous classic sci-fi games have faded from memory, but these five titles are excellent examples of games that were influential despite being largely forgotten.

1) Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

Frank Herbert’s Dune is a hugely influential science fiction novel that has inspired many adaptations, including the video game Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty released in 1992. Though not the very first of its kind, Dune II essentially created the blueprint for almost every real-time strategy (RTS) game we play today. Without it, popular franchises like Command & Conquer, Warcraft, and Age of Empires likely wouldn’t exist. Dune II is a foundational RTS title, but it’s surprisingly been overlooked. Many modern gamers are probably unfamiliar with it, even though they experience the conventions it pioneered. Despite being an older game, it’s still a clever and faithful adaptation of Herbert’s complex Dune universe.

2) Prey

Released in 2006 for Xbox 360 and computers, Prey is a first-person shooter where you play as Tommy Tawodi, a Cherokee man who is kidnapped with his girlfriend and grandfather. The game follows Tommy’s journey to escape an alien world and find his way back home. His Cherokee beliefs give him the unique ability to come back to life after death. Prey featured innovative gameplay with variable gravity and the use of portals to navigate levels. Though successful enough to be acquired by Bethesda Softworks, a follow-up game was never made, causing this exceptional and inventive title to be largely forgotten by many gamers.

3) The Dig

Point-and-click adventure games were incredibly popular in the early 1990s, and LucasArts led the way with the best titles. The Dig, released in 1995, was a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Orson Scott Card, originally based on an idea for Spielberg’s Amazing Stories television show. Even though the graphics and gameplay now seem a little old-fashioned, the game still feels very much like a movie. The story follows a team of five astronauts sent to plant explosives on an asteroid to save Earth. Instead, they’re transported to a strange alien world and have to figure out how to use alien technology and solve a mystery to find their way back home. The Dig is known for its difficult puzzles, which some players found frustrating, but for those who enjoyed a challenge, it provided a really exciting adventure.

4) System Shock

Released in 1994, System Shock is a cyberpunk action-adventure game set in the year 2072. Players take on the role of a hacker trying to stop a dangerous artificial intelligence named SHODAN. The game is considered a foundational example of the ‘immersive sim’ genre, establishing many of the elements that would become common in similar games. In fact, popular titles like Prey, BioShock, and Deus Ex were all heavily inspired by System Shock. A sequel came out in 1999, and the original game was remade in 2023, though it remains largely unknown to many gamers – which is unfortunate, considering how enjoyable it is.

5) Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

Among the many older Star Wars games, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds stands out as one worth revisiting. Released in 2001, with an expansion pack following in 2002, this real-time strategy game was built on the same engine as the original Age of Empires titles, offering similar gameplay. However, Galactic Battlegrounds is uniquely set in the Star Wars universe, letting players command forces like AT-ATs and Rebel troops. It was a popular and engaging way for fans to experience the franchise’s rich story by building and controlling their own bases and armies. Though it’s largely been overlooked recently, the game still offers plenty of replay value and remains a fun part of the Star Wars legacy.

What sci-fi game from the past do you really love? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-02 18:12