Sci-Fi is one of my favorite genre’s of literature, movies, anime series, and of course role playing games. As a child, I was a huge stargate fan and always wanted to live in that Sci-Fi universe. Well, I guess gaming is the only way to fulfill that wish. Oh boy, Sci fi RPG games are addictive.
There are many Sci Fi games out there. However, only a handful of them are RPGs. Still, I have managed to list the best 21 sci fi role playing games for you guys. Many good games are in this list such as Cyberpunk, Mass Effect, Terminator, etc. Once Bethesda’s Starfield gets released, I will probably add it to top 3 of this list. But until then, let us review the currently available sci-fi RPG games.
1. Cyberpunk 2077
Let’s start with the best Sci-Fi RPG of recent times, the notorious Cyberpunk 2077. I know, first release was super buggy, almost unplayable. However, Cyberpunk 2077 had many updates since then. Now it is bug free and amazing!
CD Projekt’s latest masterpiece is set in year 2077. You can expect flying cars, mechanical body modifications, cybernetic implants, and more!
Lastly, who wouldn’t want to meet Keanu in a role-playing-game? Cyberpunk 2077 offers this opportunity to his fans!
2. Outer Worlds
From the creators of cult classic Fallout: New Vegas, this masterpiece emerged. The Outer Worlds is an award winning sci-fi RPG set in a space colony. It is also open-world, fps, and have action elements in it.
Explore the Halcyon colony which is located at the edge of galaxy. This colony is owned by a corporate and they control everything. Except the alien life inside the planet.
Start your journey, meet companions, and make hard choices. You can be a good, bad, or a flawed character. It is all up to you. After all this is a role playing game!
3. Mass Effect
Without a doubt Mass Effect is the best sci-fi video game series. Franchise was really successful until the Mass Effect: Andromeda fiasco. Still, the series must be played, especially the first three games. Besides, recently Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition released which includes 4k remakes of the first three games. Including +40 DLC.
Franchise depicts a future where humanity and alien civilizations have colonized universe. You will encounter many alien species, both friendly and hostile. Use special dialogue tree, make choices, romance companions, and save the universe!
4. Stellaris
Explore the space, expand your civilization, use diplomacy, and expand your galactic empire! At the essence, Stellaris is a sci-fi grand strategy game set in space. With RPG elements of course.
In my opinion, Stellaris is the best space RPG game.
You will encounter many events, interesting decisions, and hard choices, in the galaxy. It is like a sandbox where you can choose your own path and story. So, create your unique civilization and start your galactic journey!
5. Fallout 4
Many considers Fallout franchise to be one of the best post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG. But I have only included the last single-player Fallout game to this list because other ones are really old.
Fallout 4 is released in 2015 by the award winning Bethesda Game Studios. Its genres are sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, open world, exploration, and of course RPG. You will love the exploration factor of Fallout 4, believe me.
Choose from hundreds of perks, join factions of your choice, build your base, and wander off anywhere! Also, don’t forget the amazing mods, as always, Bethesda released a mod creation kit. That is why Bethesda is my favorite gaming company.
6. Kenshi
Kenshi is a free roaming, squad based RPG set in a sci-fi universe. Best thing about it is the freedom. Kenshi is a true sandbox game. Therefore there are no limits. You can explore anywhere, do anything, and be anyone you want.
You might end up as a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. I have played Kenshi for hundreds of hours, still I encounter completely different things and end up in unique situations.
It is also has the record of being the largest RPG, stretching over 870 square kilometers. Are you kidding me? What year is this?
You are not the chosen one either. Take the role of a regular person in this vast universe and write your own story.
7. Warframe
Warframe is an action RPG with looter shooter elements. You can play it both single-player and co-op with your friends. It is completely free too. However, there are couple of DLCs you might consider buying in the future.
Fight with different foes throughout the interplanetary system and become stronger. An epic story awaits you.
Want a quick rundown? Warframe is a game about space ninjas with guns and magic!
8. Chernobylite
Chernobylite incorporates many genres such as RPG, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, survival, horror, and open world. There is also base-building and squad system in it.
Main character in this game is Igor, former employee of Chernobyl power plant. He returns to Pripyat in order to investigate mysterious disappearance of his fiancee. Be ready to encounter monsters, ghosts, hostile military presence, and more.
Chernobylite doesn’t follow a linear story either! Each playthrough offers a different experience because choices matters in this game a lot.
All in all, Chernobylite is a revolutionary game and must be played at least once.
9. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided takes you to year 2029 where mechanically augmented humans are a thing. As a covert operative, you must unravel a worldwide conspiracy.
It won’t be easy though. You will have to use your investigation skills, smarts, state of art augmentations, weapons, and arsenal.
You don’t have to play former Deus Ex games beforehand either. Even though it is a 2016 game, Deus Ex is still amazing in both graphic and gameplay wise.
10. Terminator: Resistance
Arnold’s cult classic sci-fi Terminator movies are now turned into a role playin game. Terminator: Resistance is a sci-fi FPS RPG based on the iconic films.
Are you ready to lead the resistance against the machines? In this game, you will experience the events leading up to the final battle against machines. There will be many hard choices to make. So remember, choices matter in Terminator: Resistance.
11. Encased
My favorite genre isometric RPG meets Sci-Fi in Encased. It is set in a alternative 1970 timeline.
Story goes like this, enormous and inexplicable artifact found in the desert. Now, various factions are struggling to take their hands on it.
This is where the role-playing takes the role. You can join one of the factions, make friends, explore, and fight in a dystopian universe.
12. Citizen Sleeper
Here is a unique story. Citizen Sleeper allows you to role play in a interplanetary capitalism order. Take over the life of an escaped worker, escape your past, and create a bright future for yourself.
Citizen Sleeper is an exploration sci-fi RPG. Choices matters a lot too. However, it is a text-based role playing game. So, better be ready to delve into high intense experience.
13. Starcom: Nexus
Let’s continue with an indie game. Starcom: Nexus mixes the action, space exploration, and RPG elements in a very good way. It is also open-world or should I say, open-galaxy?
In Starcom: Nexus, you take control of a small ship thrown into an unknown galaxy. You must explore, make friends, and transform your small ship into a huge vessel.
14. The Surge 2
Souls-like sci-fi RPG is back. Get ready to delve into the continuation story of The Surge.
On the way to Jericho City, your plane is shot down and crashed in outskirts. Robots are on rampage, armor-clad soldiers enforce martial law, what is happening?
You must survive, explore, and fight hardcore brutal combats.
15. Red Solstice 2: Survivors
Here is another sequel. Best seller Red Solstice is back.
Red Solstice 2 combines real time strategy with RPG in a sci-fi universe. It is fun, have a deep lore, unique classes, researches, upgrades, basically everything you are looking for.
Though the best thing about Red Solstice 2: Survivors is co-op option. You can play with up to 8 players co-op. Isn’t that something?
16. OUTRIDERS
OUTRIDERS is a 1-3 player co-op RPG shooter set in a sci-fi universe. You can play it solo too but it is much more fun in co-op.
In 21st Century, climate disasters made the earth un-inhabitable. Two massive colony ships built in order to preserve human species. After an 83-year journey, in 2159 first ship landed on planet Enoch. However, there is one thing humanity hadn’t counted, the mysterious anomaly in Enoch.
The game reached over 3.5 million players by May 2021, current statistics are unknown. I guess it is worth a try.
17. CHRONO TRIGGER
Chrono Trigger is the best time travel RPG of all times. This classic game takes you to a journey, in both past and the future. Jump on this sci-fi adventure to save the planet!
Chrono Trigger first released 1995 for Nintendo, then 1999 for PlayStation. Now it is back on steam with a re-make.
Rich story, beautiful narrative, and interesting choices awaits.
18. Shadowrun Series
Shadowrun franchise is a combination of short but detailed story rich role playin games. Latest game Shadowrun: Hong Kong offers 15 hours of fun campaign.
It uses turn-based tactical combat mechanics. Control your squad in a cyberpunk universe and uncover a deadly conspiracy.
19. Starpoint Gemini Warlords
Starpoint Gemini Warlords is a 4x strategy game with RPG elements, just like Stellaris. But in a much different way.
Control your ship in a sandbox space to lead, build, fight, and conquer gemini system.
If you like space sci-fi games, you should give it a try.
20. Rebel Galaxy
Become a rogue ship, trader, asteroid miner, privateer, or a space police. Choose your path in huge open-world galaxy. But be careful, edge of universe is full of dangers.
Rebel Galaxy is a space adventure, RPG, exploration, trade, and diplomacy game. It has vast content and is possible to buy for a small price.
21. Stellar Tactics
Stellar Tactics is a squad-based sci-fi RPG set in future. It gives a little bit of Guardians of Galaxy vibe.
Sci-fi RPG Stellar Tactics features:
- Squad management.
- Turn-based combat.
- Space exploration.
- Deep character customization.
- 160,000 star systems to explore.
- Ship management and upgrades.
- Basically, interesting life of mercenary band in a futuristic universe.
Thank you, I hope you liked my list. Do tell me the sci-fi games you decided to try! See you on another RPG topic, till later.