The best sci-fi games that even diehards haven't played

Sci-fi is one of the most popular genres in gaming. There are countless exceptional titles within it, ranging from FPS titans such as Halo to iconic single-player masterpieces such as BioShock. But while the big names in the space often get the most attention, there are quite a few lesser known sci-fi games which even the biggest fans of the genre will never have heard of.

There are spacefaring adventures that take players across planets and galaxies, grounded narrative experiences that run parallel to reality, and even complex FPS thrill rides that rival big-budget shooters. The genre has a lot to offer, and it doesn't matter how many games players may have played before: there will always be something else out there, whether they're looking for a slow-burn story or an action-packed journey to the far reaches of space.

Space pirates and zombies

Arcade-style combat with immense depth

• Fast shooting with two sticks combined with greater strategy.

• Meaningful long-term development.

Space pirates and zombies hides a deeply strategic sci-fi experience beneath its colorful arcade style. Players command a single customizable ship, manage an entire fleet, and fend off any enemies who dare fly too close. Every battle feels chaotic yet deeply satisfying, as players aren't just spamming bullets in all directions; instead, they must think about positioning and enemy behavior to have a chance of making it out alive.

What really elevates the game is how its progression system feeds directly into combat. New ships, weapons, faction abilities, and fleet synergies constantly reshape how battles unfold, giving players an incentive to push forward that never strays too far from the actual gameplay. This, combined with the evolving map full of faction wars, and the game manages to offer a surprisingly complex sci-fi sandbox in what is otherwise a fairly simplistic gameplay loop.

Astrometics

To survive in a hostile void

• Realistic space survival systems.

• Emphasis on slower, more methodical exploration.

Astrometics delivers a quiet, grounded take on science-fiction survival, placing players alone in a fragile spacecraft surrounded by an unforgiving vacuum. Every system, from oxygen to temperature, must be carefully maintained while scavenging abandoned stations and running the wreckage for resources. The game derives much of its tension from stillness rather than action, all wrapped up in an oppressive atmosphere that makes things feel dangerous at all times.

Players will find themselves constantly driven forward by environmental narratives rather than clearer paths of progression. It makes every foray into the unknown feel purposeful, even if it's just to scout out a new area to explore. Ship upgrades and crafting systems expand what's possible in the void, unlocking new traversal possibilities and ways to survive against the increasingly harsh environments players find themselves trapped in.

Chipped steel

Cyberpunk mayhem with moves

• Advanced parkour and slow-motion gunplay.

• Creativity through movement rather than just loads.

Chipped steel takes the FPS genre down to raw movement and momentum, throwing players into an incredibly fast-paced shooter where acrobatics matter as much as aim. Movement defines every encounter, as players can slide, run on walls and dive into action, all while unleashing a barrage of bullets on any enemy that steps into the line of fire.

The action feels relentless, as players constantly switch between different weapons on the go, ensuring the pace never slows down. Add in destructible environments, and the level of depth soars, allowing players to blast through walls and even floors to unlock different attack paths while constantly chaining together different jumps and slides to take on an unstoppable cyberpunk warrior.

Space Run

High pressure logistics in space

• Strategic cargo management mixed with real-time defense.

• Turns space trading into a tense and challenging experience.

Space Run turns the familiar concept of interstellar trade into a high-stakes strategy experience. Instead of simply flying between the stars, players must actively defend their cargo ships from pirate ambushes by carefully placing turrets that target specific enemy weaknesses and ship types. Each rune becomes a balance between speed and safety. While making it to each destination alive is one thing, arriving in an intact ship is an entirely different story.

As new ship layouts, weapons and enemy types are introduced, the challenges become harder to predict. The pressure comes from how the player's own preparation is directly linked to the success of their mission. It doesn't matter how skilled they may be; if they don't have the right shields or a good set of weapons, a rogue missile is all it takes to ruin their day.

Technobabylon

Unraveling a futuristic conspiracy

• Rich world-building backed by a fantastic story.

• Mature point-and-click adventure.

Technobabylon is an immersive cyberpunk narrative centered around surveillance and the rise of artificial intelligence. Told through multiple intersecting character perspectives, the story explores the social and emotional ramifications of technology in a setting that has long been explored in other media, but still manages to feel distinct in its own way.

The world feels alive, with corrupt corporations dominating the city and moral questions being raised every step of the way. Its atmospheric soundtrack and pixel-art style further enhance the mood, transporting players to an environment that covers all sides of society, from those higher up atop skyscrapers to the everyday working people trying to make ends meet.