As a die-hard sci-fi enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the seamless marriage between my beloved genre and video games. Unlike the constraints of physical sets and visual effects in TV and movie production, video games offer an unprecedented freedom to create breathtakingly immersive universes, brimming with possibilities that would typically require a colossal budget in other mediums.
As a passionate gamer and sci-fi enthusiast, I’ve handpicked the 11 most remarkable science fiction video game franchises that truly stand out. However, there’s an essential distinction worth noting: this list only features series that originated within the gaming realm. While Star Wars and Star Trek games are undeniably fantastic, they don’t make it onto my curated selection. I aim to spotlight franchises that were born and nurtured in the world of video games. Here they are, presented alphabetically for an unbiased view: Deus Ex, Mass Effect, Metroid, Portal, System Shock, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dawnguard DLC (Sci-Fi elements), XCOM, Borderlands, Halo, and Warframe. Enjoy exploring these unique universes!
1) Dead Space
Although I’d be thrilled to add Alien: Isolation to this selection due to its outstanding quality, it breaks my one rule for this list. Instead, Dead Space is an excellent option for enthusiasts of terrifying sci-fi. While Dead Space 3 might not be as potent as the initial two installments, the mainline games are still worth experiencing from start to finish. You may want to avert your eyes during the eye scene in Dead Space 2.
2) Destiny
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but admire Bungie’s knack for crafting exceptional shooter games, and Destiny is no exception. Despite having just two main games in the series, the wealth of content available ensures there’s always something new to explore. If you’re seeking an outstanding multiplayer shooter experience with friends, it’s hard to beat Destiny.
3) Doom
As a devoted fan, I must confess that for me, Doom reaches its most captivatingly sci-fi heights in Doom 3. However, it’s often considered the least favorite game among many fans, yet it undeniably belongs to the genre. Compared to other games on this list, it presents a slightly more subtle approach, but trust me, you’re venturing to Mars, battling foes on a futuristic Earth, and wielding technology that’s beyond our current day reality.
4) Fallout
New Vegas is the obvious choice for you!
5) Half-Life
Half-Life has built its reputation by incorporating groundbreaking technology into exceptional games. The physics in Half-Life 2 truly revolutionized gaming for many. Although Half-Life: Alyx may not be the most affordable game due to requiring a VR headset, it offers an unparalleled experience showcasing the potential of virtual reality. With Valve leading the way, there’s always a possibility that another Half-Life game might emerge, and if it does, it will undoubtedly be remarkable.
6) Halo
It’s worth noting that Bungie is highly skilled when it comes to first-person shooter games, and their original Halo trilogy stands out as some of their most exceptional work. In 2012, 343 Industries took over the series, but fans have shown less enthusiasm for their games compared to Bungie’s. Nevertheless, Halo remains one of the most prominent series on Xbox consoles.
7) Mass Effect
The Mass Effect trilogy, developed by BioWare, is an exceptionally ambitious series known for making your choices significant across all three games. Whether you found the ending satisfying or not, it’s hard to argue against the fact that BioWare created a vast universe filled with memorable characters.
8) Metal Gear Solid
imagine if we swapped it with massive robots instead. Take a look at Sahelanthropus in the picture and consider whether Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus isn’t science fiction. _MGS4_ stands out as the most sci-fi among the main series, but _Revengenance_ takes it to an even higher level.
9) StarCraft
StarCraft by Blizzard Entertainment has achieved worldwide fame and continues to thrive in 2025 thanks to its immense popularity in South Korea, where it essentially functions as a national pastime. This enduring relevance is remarkable given that the latest game, StarCraft 2, was released with an expansion pack in 2015 by Blizzard. Here’s hoping they develop another installment soon, as there’s still much potential in the series, even if it doesn’t involve a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) sequel.
10) Wing Commander
Glance at the cover of Wing Commander 3 up there, and I’ll tell you it’s hard to deny that this isn’t one of the top-notch sci-fi gaming series. Although a new Wing Commander game hasn’t been released since 2007, the space combat games were incredibly popular, leading to a film, TV show, trading card game, and even book series. It’s clear that it deserves to be on this list.
11) XCOM
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say that diving into XCOM is like stepping into a 2025 revival of the classic Wing Commander, reimagined with modern flair. The original XCOM games were undeniably impressive for their era, but it was Firaxis’ reboot in 2012 that truly rejuvenated the series. Admittedly, spin-offs like The Bureau: XCOM Declassified and XCOM: Chimera Squad have fallen short of expectations, but the mainline series has consistently delivered without fail.
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2025-05-24 22:10