Best Sci-Fi Adventure Games

The genre of science-fiction provides a veritable playground for new and exciting adventures, thanks in large part to its exploration of the unknown. As part of a broad and varied genre, sci-fi games are able to provide myriad experiences that range from spacefaring adventures to sprawling space operas.

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Be it the Firefly-inspired atmosphere of The Outer Worlds or the detailed retro-futurism of BioShock, many sci-fi adventure games excel with their unique and exciting worlds. However, others excel with immersive gameplay mechanics or a well-told narrative.

1

Half-Life

An Innovative Adventure That Holds Up

Systems

Released

November 19, 1998

Publisher(s)

Sierra Studios

Innovating with its immersive storytelling, Half-Life is a linear adventure game that’s still worth playing today thanks to its fast pace and action-packed narrative. The game’s lightweight horror elements also make for a decidedly tense experience at times, with a variety of enemy types that shake up combat in new and interesting ways.

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As an FPS, Half-Life is decidedly old-school and fairly straightforward. However, its hands-off approach to storytelling champions immersion over shoehorned drama, allowing players to feel like a part of its world, rather than an observer of its story.

2

Mass Effect

A Sprawling Journey Across Space

Released

November 20, 2007

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Mass Effect is a spacefaring RPG that excels with its distinctive sci-fi world and deftly-woven narrative. Its gameplay may not satisfy some players, but the moment-to-moment is supported by a variety of unique and interesting characters.

For players that are intrigued by Mass Effect’s sci-fi world, there’s a wealth of information available throughout the game. This is thanks to a great deal of world-building, primarily supported by the game’s myriad companions. As a result, Mass Effect is able to offer considerable depth when it comes to its narrative and setting — giving substantial context to this sci-fi adventure.

3

Outer Wilds

A Quiet, Contemplative Exploration Game

Released

May 28, 2019

Developer(s)

Mobius Digital

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Outer Wilds is an exploration game that focuses its efforts on immersing players in its melancholic atmosphere. It accomplishes this via a heartwarming soundtrack, a cast of charming characters, and a winning visual style that paints the galaxy in broad, sweeping strokes that frequently spark the imagination.

Exploring the world of Outer Wilds is also tremendously immersive thanks to fluid gameplay that allows players to traverse environments freely, both on the ground and in space. By giving players little to go on and complete freedom of exploration, Outer Wilds is able to provide a decidedly adventurous experience in a unique science-fiction world.

4

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath

A Unique Sci-Fi Western With Old-School Charm

Released

January 25, 2005

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Taking place in a unique sci-fi western landscape populated by odd critters and quirky characters, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath provides a truly distinctive sci-fi adventure. In the game, players take on the role of the Stranger, a mysterious bounty hunter attempting to cover the cost of an important operation.

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The combination of Wild West cliches and sci-fi elements makes for an unusual setting, but Stranger’s Wrath also excels with its gameplay. The Stranger is equipped with a crossbow that fires live ammunition, with each critter the player collects offering their own strengths in combat. Stranger’s Wrath combines this unique FPS gameplay with traditional 3D platforming, offering a diverse adventure supported by a genuinely memorable setting.

5

BioShock

A Wholly Immersive Underwater Adventure

The underwater city of Rapture remains an overwhelmingly immersive place to explore thanks to detailed environments, creative art direction, and an excellent atmosphere. Supporting this unique sci-fi setting is a mysterious narrative and frequent environmental storytelling that helps to provide context to exploration.

The lightweight immersive-sim elements also help to deepen BioShock’s otherwise straightforward action, simultaneously encouraging players to more deeply explore its various environments. For fans of linear action adventures and lightweight horror, BioShock is a tried-and-true classic that still holds up well today thanks to its evocative setting.

6

The Outer Worlds

Firefly-Esque Spacefaring & Colorful Satire

Released

October 25, 2019

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Fans of Malcolm Reynolds’ adventures in the cult-classic Firefly and the first-person exploration of open-world RPGs such as Fallout: New Vegas are more than likely to enjoy The Outer Worlds. This spacefaring adventure from the minds of Fallout creators Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky is a charming and at-times satirical journey bolstered by fantastic location design and memorable companions.

These companions are the bread and butter of The Outer Worlds, providing warmth and familiarity with each return to the player’s ship. Furthermore, players can get to know them better over the course of the adventure by pursuing their personal quest-lines, offering meaningful side activities that strengthen the overall experience. The game might not have the same level of depth in its narrative as other entries on this list, but it makes up for it with its adventurous spirit.

7

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

An Accessible, Vibrant Action-Adventure Game

Platformer

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Released

June 11, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an experience that is both nostalgic and modern, offering an accessible spacefaring adventure through vibrant locales packed with tremendous set pieces. Simple controls and fast-paced action result in non-stop engagement, backed by a simple but heartfelt narrative that’s perfect for both newcomers and existing fans of the series.

In keeping with previous entries in the series, Rift Apart excels with its chaotic variety of quirky weapons. Exploring its sci-fi world, however, is particularly fun thanks to diverse environments and a multitude of collectibles.

8

Halo: Combat Evolved

A Classic FPS With Awe-Inspiring Scale

Systems

Released

November 15, 2001

Halo may play like a fairly straightforward FPS by today’s standards, but its combat encounters remain riveting thanks to clever enemies and dynamic environments. The game’s diverse locations also remain awe-inspiring, evoking an impressive sense of scale that sets the stage for a bombastic narrative.

Its narrative may be simple, but the exaggerated tone and cinematic presentation offer a fast-paced adventure that’s perfect for fans of military sci-fi. Furthermore, the game received several sequels, with the second and third game rounding off the adventure in a neat and satisfying way.

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