Big stories set in the future: science fiction games that grip you above all with characters and plot.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
Commander Shepard assembles a crew of specialists for a suicide mission, blending cover-based shooting with unforgettable companions and choices that decide who lives and dies.
As Commander Shepard, you lead your Normandy crew across the galaxy chasing a rogue Spectre in a landmark sci-fi RPG built around its dialogue wheel, companion bonds and choices that carry into the sequels. Combat is real-time cover shooting with pausable squad powers.
The emotional finale of Shepard's trilogy pairs tight cover-shooting and combinable squad powers with a galaxy-wide war effort, where choices carried across three games decide who lives, who dies, and which civilizations survive.
Commander Shepard assembles a crew of specialists for a suicide mission, blending cover-based shooting with unforgettable companions and choices that decide who lives and dies.
2010PCPlayStationXbox29.99 €75 % positive
Mostly positive, 248 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
A party of several characters
Shooting and gunplay
Commander Shepard assembles a crew of specialists for a suicide mission, blending cover-based shooting with unforgettable companions and choices that decide who lives and dies.
As Commander Shepard, you lead your Normandy crew across the galaxy chasing a rogue Spectre in a landmark sci-fi RPG built around its dialogue wheel, companion bonds and choices that carry into the sequels. Combat is real-time cover shooting with pausable squad powers.
2007PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable29.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 16,434 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
A party of several characters
Shooting and gunplay
As Commander Shepard, you lead your Normandy crew across the galaxy chasing a rogue Spectre in a landmark sci-fi RPG built around its dialogue wheel, companion bonds and choices that carry into the sequels. Combat is real-time cover shooting with pausable squad powers.
The emotional finale of Shepard's trilogy pairs tight cover-shooting and combinable squad powers with a galaxy-wide war effort, where choices carried across three games decide who lives, who dies, and which civilizations survive.
2012PCPlayStationXbox29.99 €75 % positive
Mostly positive, 2,557 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
Choices with consequences
The emotional finale of Shepard's trilogy pairs tight cover-shooting and combinable squad powers with a galaxy-wide war effort, where choices carried across three games decide who lives, who dies, and which civilizations survive.
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
BioWare's classic Star Wars RPG lets you walk the light or dark side millennia before the films, backed by a crew of memorable companions and one of gaming's most famous plot twists.
2003PCXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable9.75 €91 % positive
Very positive, 31,738 reviews on Steam
A party of several characters
Strong character progression
Choices with consequences
BioWare's classic Star Wars RPG lets you walk the light or dark side millennia before the films, backed by a crew of memorable companions and one of gaming's most famous plot twists.
A cinematic narrative adventure where you guide three androids through a near-future Detroit. The story branches dramatically with every choice, and characters can live or die depending on your decisions.
A cinematic narrative adventure where you guide three androids through a near-future Detroit. The story branches dramatically with every choice, and characters can live or die depending on your decisions.
Tacoma is a quiet narrative adventure on an abandoned space station, where you piece together the crew's fate through augmented-reality recordings. Its appeal lies in the small human details and the relationships between the characters.
2017PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−72 %19.50 € 5.46 € 6 days left86 % positive
Very positive, 4,559 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Sci-fi setting
Tacoma is a quiet narrative adventure on an abandoned space station, where you piece together the crew's fate through augmented-reality recordings. Its appeal lies in the small human details and the relationships between the characters.
The foundational immersive sim: as augmented agent JC Denton you unravel a global conspiracy and tackle every mission your way – sneaking, hacking, talking or shooting. Open-ended levels, meaningful choices and thought-provoking themes keep it a timeless classic.
The foundational immersive sim: as augmented agent JC Denton you unravel a global conspiracy and tackle every mission your way – sneaking, hacking, talking or shooting. Open-ended levels, meaningful choices and thought-provoking themes keep it a timeless classic.
A melancholic, philosophical Star Wars RPG that questions the very nature of the Force, the Jedi and the Sith. Mentor Kreia anchors it, companions can be swayed toward light or dark, and combat is tactical with pause-and-queue actions.
2004PCXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable9.75 €94 % positive
Very positive, 24,310 reviews on Steam
A party of several characters
Strong character progression
Choices with consequences
A melancholic, philosophical Star Wars RPG that questions the very nature of the Force, the Jedi and the Sith. Mentor Kreia anchors it, companions can be swayed toward light or dark, and combat is tactical with pause-and-queue actions.
An exceptional sci-fi story where you control 13 teenagers across intertwined timelines and slowly piece together a mystery of giant mechs and kaiju. The plot unfolds in gorgeous hand-painted 2D scenes, broken up by real-time strategy battles.
An exceptional sci-fi story where you control 13 teenagers across intertwined timelines and slowly piece together a mystery of giant mechs and kaiju. The plot unfolds in gorgeous hand-painted 2D scenes, broken up by real-time strategy battles.
A brilliant first-person physics puzzler where you bend space with the portal gun through the decaying test chambers of Aperture Science, driven by the razor-sharp wit of GLaDOS and Wheatley. A separate co-op campaign adds clever two-player puzzles.
A brilliant first-person physics puzzler where you bend space with the portal gun through the decaying test chambers of Aperture Science, driven by the razor-sharp wit of GLaDOS and Wheatley. A separate co-op campaign adds clever two-player puzzles.
An atmospheric sci-fi adventure based on Stanisław Lem, where you play scientist Yasna exploring an alien planet in a retro atompunk style while searching for a missing crew. It focuses on dialogue, mood and philosophical questions rather than combat.
2023PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−70 %29.99 € 8.99 € 7 days left88 % positive
Very positive, 7,127 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lavish presentation
Lots to discover
An atmospheric sci-fi adventure based on Stanisław Lem, where you play scientist Yasna exploring an alien planet in a retro atompunk style while searching for a missing crew. It focuses on dialogue, mood and philosophical questions rather than combat.
A cinematic sci-fi horror adventure from Supermassive's Dark Pictures line, where a crashed colony crew is stalked by a shapeshifting alien threat on a distant world. Your decisions determine who survives.
A cinematic sci-fi horror adventure from Supermassive's Dark Pictures line, where a crashed colony crew is stalked by a shapeshifting alien threat on a distant world. Your decisions determine who survives.
Telltale's episodic narrative adventure where Rhys and Fiona trade unreliable accounts of a chaotic Vault hunt on Pandora. It shines through sharp comedy, lovable characters, quick-time action and choices that shape relationships.
2014PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable−50 %19.99 € 9.99 € 9 days left95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 18,606 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Distinctive, stylised art style
Telltale's episodic narrative adventure where Rhys and Fiona trade unreliable accounts of a chaotic Vault hunt on Pandora. It shines through sharp comedy, lovable characters, quick-time action and choices that shape relationships.
As Star-Lord you lead the bickering Guardians through a linear, cinematic space adventure packed with banter and an '80s soundtrack. In combat you direct your team's special moves. Its real strength is a heartfelt, funny story about a found family.
2021PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable59.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 39,158 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Lavish presentation
Action-packed real-time combat
As Star-Lord you lead the bickering Guardians through a linear, cinematic space adventure packed with banter and an '80s soundtrack. In combat you direct your team's special moves. Its real strength is a heartfelt, funny story about a found family.
A celebrated visual novel about a self-styled mad scientist in Akihabara who accidentally sends messages into the past and gets tangled in shifting timelines. Its playful, nerdy humor gradually turns into a gripping, emotional sci-fi thriller.
A celebrated visual novel about a self-styled mad scientist in Akihabara who accidentally sends messages into the past and gets tangled in shifting timelines. Its playful, nerdy humor gradually turns into a gripping, emotional sci-fi thriller.
A short, gorgeous noir detective adventure set in a retro-futuristic New York where consciousness can be transferred into new bodies. You rewind time at crime scenes to piece together clues, and your dialogue choices steer the ending.
2024PCPlayStationXbox24.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 3,752 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Dark, serious atmosphere
Distinctive, stylised art style
A short, gorgeous noir detective adventure set in a retro-futuristic New York where consciousness can be transferred into new bodies. You rewind time at crime scenes to piece together clues, and your dialogue choices steer the ending.
A story-heavy sci-fi JRPG with turn-based battles, visible enemies and a layered, philosophical space saga. Lengthy cutscenes and an orchestral soundtrack define the experience.
A story-heavy sci-fi JRPG with turn-based battles, visible enemies and a layered, philosophical space saga. Lengthy cutscenes and an orchestral soundtrack define the experience.
This sequel continues the dark, philosophical space opera with lengthy cutscenes and turn-based battles. Alongside party fights, giant mechs and a boost system add tactical depth.
This sequel continues the dark, philosophical space opera with lengthy cutscenes and turn-based battles. Alongside party fights, giant mechs and a boost system add tactical depth.
The finale of the Xenosaga trilogy delivers a sprawling, philosophical sci-fi epic following Shion and the fight against the Gnosis, told through hours of cinematics. The reworked turn-based battle system mixes characters and mechs with an emphasis on positioning and customization.
The finale of the Xenosaga trilogy delivers a sprawling, philosophical sci-fi epic following Shion and the fight against the Gnosis, told through hours of cinematics. The reworked turn-based battle system mixes characters and mechs with an emphasis on positioning and customization.
You play a neural detective who hacks into the memories and minds of others while prowling a decaying, dystopian future Poland. Disturbing hallucinations, thick atmosphere and a paranoid crime story make it a bleak cyberpunk nightmare.
You play a neural detective who hacks into the memories and minds of others while prowling a decaying, dystopian future Poland. Disturbing hallucinations, thick atmosphere and a paranoid crime story make it a bleak cyberpunk nightmare.
A cyberpunk immersive sim with a striking black-and-gold Renaissance aesthetic, where augmented agent Adam Jensen can tackle every mission through stealth, hacking, persuasion or brute force. Layered levels and a conspiracy plot about transhumanism reward curiosity and experimentation.
2011PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable19.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 28,125 reviews on Steam
Sneaking and hiding
Lots to discover
Distinctive, stylised art style
A cyberpunk immersive sim with a striking black-and-gold Renaissance aesthetic, where augmented agent Adam Jensen can tackle every mission through stealth, hacking, persuasion or brute force. Layered levels and a conspiracy plot about transhumanism reward curiosity and experimentation.
A visual novel with escape-room puzzles where you play a deadly game of trust and betrayal, unlocking many endings through a branching flowchart. Its intricate sci-fi story full of major twists is the clear centerpiece.
A visual novel with escape-room puzzles where you play a deadly game of trust and betrayal, unlocking many endings through a branching flowchart. Its intricate sci-fi story full of major twists is the clear centerpiece.
A sprawling sci-fi visual novel in which Takeru is thrown into a parallel world where humanity is losing a desperate war against alien BETA. It delivers a powerful emotional tale of courage, loss and love, with almost no gameplay but huge narrative depth.
A sprawling sci-fi visual novel in which Takeru is thrown into a parallel world where humanity is losing a desperate war against alien BETA. It delivers a powerful emotional tale of courage, loss and love, with almost no gameplay but huge narrative depth.
A visual novel and escape-room puzzler where nine captives are forced into deadly decision games. Its branching, non-linear timeline with many endings drives the suspense and delivers big twists.
2016PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified16.79 €83 % positive
Very positive, 4,347 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Dark, serious atmosphere
Choices with consequences
A visual novel and escape-room puzzler where nine captives are forced into deadly decision games. Its branching, non-linear timeline with many endings drives the suspense and delivers big twists.
An ambitious PlayStation JRPG with a sprawling, philosophically and religiously charged science-fiction story. Giant mech battles and a button-input combo system add variety, but the narrative is clearly the centerpiece.
An ambitious PlayStation JRPG with a sprawling, philosophically and religiously charged science-fiction story. Giant mech battles and a button-input combo system add variety, but the narrative is clearly the centerpiece.
A classic LucasArts point-and-click adventure in which a team of astronauts uncovers the secrets of a vanished alien civilization on a distant world. Moody science fiction with clever puzzles and a memorable score.
1995PCSteam Deck playable5.89 €92 % positive
Very positive, 1,193 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
A classic LucasArts point-and-click adventure in which a team of astronauts uncovers the secrets of a vanished alien civilization on a distant world. Moody science fiction with clever puzzles and a memorable score.
Solid Snake's lavishly staged farewell blends flexible stealth and gunplay on near-future battlefields with marathon cutscenes that wrap up the convoluted Metal Gear saga. It is melancholic, frequently absurdly funny, and packed with fan-service moments.
Solid Snake's lavishly staged farewell blends flexible stealth and gunplay on near-future battlefields with marathon cutscenes that wrap up the convoluted Metal Gear saga. It is melancholic, frequently absurdly funny, and packed with fan-service moments.
Obsidian's satirical first-person sci-fi RPG drops you into a new colony system rife with corporate absurdity, where dialogue choices, skills and even character flaws meaningfully shape your path. Opinionated companions and dark humor make every decision entertaining.
Obsidian's satirical first-person sci-fi RPG drops you into a new colony system rife with corporate absurdity, where dialogue choices, skills and even character flaws meaningfully shape your path. Opinionated companions and dark humor make every decision entertaining.
Obsidian's satirical space RPG drops you into a corporate-run colony where your dialogue choices and allegiances decide the fate of its factions. Biting humor, likeable companions and first-person gunplay define the experience.
2019PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable83 % positive
Very positive, 26,052 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Lots of humour
Action-packed real-time combat
Obsidian's satirical space RPG drops you into a corporate-run colony where your dialogue choices and allegiances decide the fate of its factions. Biting humor, likeable companions and first-person gunplay define the experience.
You play S.A.M., the AI of a damaged space station, using cameras, systems and puzzles to uncover what happened to the crew. A slow-burning, eerie sci-fi thriller with strong atmosphere and an unusual perspective.
2019PCPlayStationXbox24.50 €78 % positive
Mostly positive, 4,773 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Puzzles and brain teasers
Dark, serious atmosphere
You play S.A.M., the AI of a damaged space station, using cameras, systems and puzzles to uncover what happened to the crew. A slow-burning, eerie sci-fi thriller with strong atmosphere and an unusual perspective.
A story-driven sci-fi adventure where you play a lone astronaut exploring abandoned lunar bases, solving environmental puzzles and uncovering what happened to humanity's last hope. Atmospheric and linear, focused on mystery and narrative rather than combat.
2019PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified24.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 8,377 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Lavish presentation
A story-driven sci-fi adventure where you play a lone astronaut exploring abandoned lunar bases, solving environmental puzzles and uncovering what happened to humanity's last hope. Atmospheric and linear, focused on mystery and narrative rather than combat.
As augmented agent Adam Jensen you explore a densely layered Prague hub and tackle missions through stealth, hacking, social manipulation or open combat. Its strength lies in remarkable player freedom and a bleak cyberpunk tale of segregation and conspiracy.
As augmented agent Adam Jensen you explore a densely layered Prague hub and tackle missions through stealth, hacking, social manipulation or open combat. Its strength lies in remarkable player freedom and a bleak cyberpunk tale of segregation and conspiracy.
A detective adventure set in neon-soaked 2019 Los Angeles, where you play a Blade Runner questioning suspects, collecting clues and hunting replicants. Your choices reshape the story and lead to one of six different endings.
A detective adventure set in neon-soaked 2019 Los Angeles, where you play a Blade Runner questioning suspects, collecting clues and hunting replicants. Your choices reshape the story and lead to one of six different endings.
You play delivery driver Rania over one night in a rain-soaked, voxel-built neon megacity, picking up many small and large stories along the way. The focus is on atmosphere, dialogue and narrative rather than combat.
2020PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified19.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 14,511 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lavish presentation
Lots to discover
You play delivery driver Rania over one night in a rain-soaked, voxel-built neon megacity, picking up many small and large stories along the way. The focus is on atmosphere, dialogue and narrative rather than combat.
An isometric cyberpunk detective RPG where you play a gamedec solving crimes inside virtual worlds. Your dialogue, investigations and decisions shape each case and your character, with no traditional combat.
2021PCPlayStationNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified29.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 1,581 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
An isometric cyberpunk detective RPG where you play a gamedec solving crimes inside virtual worlds. Your dialogue, investigations and decisions shape each case and your character, with no traditional combat.
2025PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−55 %34.99 € 15.74 € 7 days left
Stranded worker Jan clones alternate versions of himself, each shaped by a different life choice, and must manage them in a mobile base while racing a lethal sunrise. It's survival management fused with a thoughtful drama about identity and roads not taken.
2025PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−55 %34.99 € 15.74 € 7 days left
Economy and management
Choices with consequences
Lavish presentation
Stranded worker Jan clones alternate versions of himself, each shaped by a different life choice, and must manage them in a mobile base while racing a lethal sunrise. It's survival management fused with a thoughtful drama about identity and roads not taken.
Remedy's cinematic third-person shooter where time-bending powers like freezing, dashing and rewinding define every firefight. Live-action TV episodes between acts react to your branching story decisions.
2016PCXbox36.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 28,140 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Lavish presentation
Shooting and gunplay
Remedy's cinematic third-person shooter where time-bending powers like freezing, dashing and rewinding define every firefight. Live-action TV episodes between acts react to your branching story decisions.
A landmark immersive sim horror RPG set aboard an infested starship, where scarce resources, flexible skill builds and the unforgettable AI SHODAN create relentless dread.
A landmark immersive sim horror RPG set aboard an infested starship, where scarce resources, flexible skill builds and the unforgettable AI SHODAN create relentless dread.
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
2017PCPlayStationSteam Deck verified88 % positive
Very positive, 125,197 reviews on Steam
Open world
Post-apocalyptic setting
Lavish presentation
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A dark, emotional visual novel sequel to Steins;Gate in which Okabe struggles with trauma and guilt in a timeline without time travel, torn over whether to change the past again. Your choices lead to different endings in a dense, time-travel-driven story.
A dark, emotional visual novel sequel to Steins;Gate in which Okabe struggles with trauma and guilt in a timeline without time travel, torn over whether to change the past again. Your choices lead to different endings in a dense, time-travel-driven story.
A pixel-art cyberpunk point-and-click adventure in which you play a journalist investigating a conspiracy in Neo-San Francisco alongside Turing, the first sapient robot. Dialogue, choices and themes of identity and humanity drive the experience.
2014PCPlayStationXbox8.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 1,645 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
A pixel-art cyberpunk point-and-click adventure in which you play a journalist investigating a conspiracy in Neo-San Francisco alongside Turing, the first sapient robot. Dialogue, choices and themes of identity and humanity drive the experience.
A narrative sci-fi RPG where you play an artificial human, using a dice system to manage scarce resources and survive among the settlements of the Starward Belt. The sequel adds a customizable ship, recruitable crew and risky contracts that reward careful planning.
2025PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable24.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,316 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Choices with consequences
A narrative sci-fi RPG where you play an artificial human, using a dice system to manage scarce resources and survive among the settlements of the Starward Belt. The sequel adds a customizable ship, recruitable crew and risky contracts that reward careful planning.
A story-driven cyberpunk point-and-click adventure set in 2087, where you switch between three characters to uncover a deadly conspiracy in an AI-run city. Classic inventory puzzles and a dense mystery plot are the focus.
2015PCSteam Deck verified14.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,552 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Dark, serious atmosphere
A story-driven cyberpunk point-and-click adventure set in 2087, where you switch between three characters to uncover a deadly conspiracy in an AI-run city. Classic inventory puzzles and a dense mystery plot are the focus.
A grim sci-fi horror point-and-click adventure in an isometric view: aboard a seemingly abandoned spaceship you solve classic item and computer puzzles while piecing together a disturbing story.
2015PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable8.15 €82 % positive
Very positive, 2,218 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Dread and tension
Puzzles and brain teasers
A grim sci-fi horror point-and-click adventure in an isometric view: aboard a seemingly abandoned spaceship you solve classic item and computer puzzles while piecing together a disturbing story.
A sprawling Warhammer 40K role-playing game where you command a voidship, a crew of eccentric companions and a trade empire as a Rogue Trader. Turn-based battles, deep character builds and weighty decisions define the journey.
2023PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified49.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 30,805 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Tactical depth
Strong character progression
A sprawling Warhammer 40K role-playing game where you command a voidship, a crew of eccentric companions and a trade empire as a Rogue Trader. Turn-based battles, deep character builds and weighty decisions define the journey.
A comedic sci-fi RPG following washed-up private eye Sly Boots and his ragtag crew on a decaying alien world. It blends JRPG-style turn-based combat with quirky dialogue and a cinematic, story-driven adventure.
A comedic sci-fi RPG following washed-up private eye Sly Boots and his ragtag crew on a decaying alien world. It blends JRPG-style turn-based combat with quirky dialogue and a cinematic, story-driven adventure.
A classic point-and-click adventure in which April Ryan travels between the science-driven world of Stark and the magical world of Arcadia. Its strengths are the long, character-driven story, strong dialogue and inventory puzzles.
1999PCSteam Deck verified9.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 2,030 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Fantasy setting
A classic point-and-click adventure in which April Ryan travels between the science-driven world of Stark and the magical world of Arcadia. Its strengths are the long, character-driven story, strong dialogue and inventory puzzles.
A classic visual novel about seven people trapped in a damaged underwater theme park. Famed for its intricate mystery plot and one of the genre's best-known twists.
A classic visual novel about seven people trapped in a damaged underwater theme park. Famed for its intricate mystery plot and one of the genre's best-known twists.
A story-driven sci-fi drama where you play Watcher, sifting through memories to uncover a dark secret about the ALLMOTHER. It mixes visual novel and walking sim elements into an intense tale about identity, legacy and diaspora.
A story-driven sci-fi drama where you play Watcher, sifting through memories to uncover a dark secret about the ALLMOTHER. It mixes visual novel and walking sim elements into an intense tale about identity, legacy and diaspora.
A text-heavy RPG set in the strange far-future world of Numenera, serving as a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment and probing questions of identity and mortality. Conversations and choices matter far more than the rare turn-based combat.
A text-heavy RPG set in the strange far-future world of Numenera, serving as a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment and probing questions of identity and mortality. Conversations and choices matter far more than the rare turn-based combat.
A 1990s space combat game that pairs fast dogfights with lavish live-action cutscenes starring real actors. Its story of war and betrayal in a space-faring human empire is front and center.
A 1990s space combat game that pairs fast dogfights with lavish live-action cutscenes starring real actors. Its story of war and betrayal in a space-faring human empire is front and center.
You tend bar in a cyberpunk dystopia, mixing drinks and learning your customers' stories through conversation. Your drink choices shape how things unfold, backed by a moody synth soundtrack and retro pixel art.
You tend bar in a cyberpunk dystopia, mixing drinks and learning your customers' stories through conversation. Your drink choices shape how things unfold, backed by a moody synth soundtrack and retro pixel art.
A story-driven adventure with a handcrafted, stop-motion look: as clumsy janitor Harold you explore a stranded ark ship beneath an alien ocean and uncover its secrets. It focuses on dialogue, characters and dry humor rather than action.
2024PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified34.99 €84 % positive
Very positive, 881 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lavish presentation
Lots of humour
A story-driven adventure with a handcrafted, stop-motion look: as clumsy janitor Harold you explore a stranded ark ship beneath an alien ocean and uncover its secrets. It focuses on dialogue, characters and dry humor rather than action.
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
2019PCPlayStation93 % positive
Very positive, 81,134 reviews on Steam
Open world
Post-apocalyptic setting
Lavish presentation
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
Story-driven sci-fi works best when the future setting is used to ask questions about people: what counts as a person, who you trust, and what a choice costs. The games on this list lean on characters and plot more than on mechanics, but they deliver that in very different ways, so it helps to decide what kind of pacing and control you want before you pick.
If you like shaping a story through dialogue and a crew you get attached to, the Mass Effect trilogy is the obvious start. Mass Effect combines action RPG combat with party-based play and choices that matter, and Mass Effect 2 keeps those tags too. For an older, more tabletop-style approach, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic uses real-time-with-pause combat and a party. If you would rather have a tense, quiet experience, Soma is a psychological horror game with stealth, and Tacoma is an atmospheric exploration mystery.
Check how much you want to play versus watch. Detroit: Become Human is cinematic and built around choices, which suits players who care more about branching scenes than combat. Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world RPG, so it asks for more time and a taste for wandering. Also note platforms: Deus Ex is listed for PC only, while 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
Frequently asked questions
Which story-driven sci-fi game should I play first?
Mass Effect 2 is a strong pick if you want party-based action RPG play with choices that matter, though starting with Mass Effect gives you the trilogy from the beginning. If you prefer something shorter and quieter, try Tacoma.
Which sci-fi story games focus on player choices?
Detroit: Become Human is tagged cinematic and choices matter, and the Mass Effect games share that tag. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Deus Ex are also tagged choices matter if you like older RPG styles.
Are there story-driven sci-fi games that are not mostly combat?
Yes. Tacoma is an exploration mystery, Soma centers on atmosphere and psychological horror with stealth, and Portal 2 is a puzzle game with comedy and co-op.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.