Sci-Fi Sagas

Dead Space 3 hits stores this week so we thought we’d put together a list of the best sci-fi sagas of all time. Does your favourite make the list?

Dead Space

While the original Dead Space is by far the best, and the creepiest, not many games have had a trilogy during this console generation. The games have become more combat-heavy, but still boast superb production values.

Halo

The daddy of all sci-fi shooters, Halo not only made shooting aliens cool, but also made first-person shooters popular on consoles. Reach was Bungie’s last Halo game, but the series lived on wonderfully in the shape of 343’s Halo 4.

Starfox

This Nintendo series may have lost popularity in recent years, but the original SNES game and N64 follow-up are bona fide classics of the sci-fi genre. The 3DS revamp of the N64 game is well worth picking up.

Gears of War

With the fourth game, Judgment, due in March 2013, Gears of War has established itself as the biggest new sci-fi series of this console generation. Where it’ll go on the next Xbox remains to be seen, but it’s sure to look amazing.

Mass Effect

BioWare has created one of the most iconic series of this generation with the Mass Effect games. Sure, the third game was met with a wave of fan disgruntlement, but only games people really care about get that kind of treatment.

Metroid

This epic saga of games spans numerous Nintendo consoles and various genres, including side-scrolling, first-person and pinball.

ToeJam & Earl

A three-legged red alien and a fat orange alien aren’t exactly your typical video game heroes, but these ’90s hip-hop loving ETs became cult favourites.

Ratchet & Clank

Sony didn’t have a mascot to rival Mario or Sonic, but Ratchet and his robot buddy Clank do their best. The duo’s games have been excellent on PS2, PSP and PS3.

StarCraft

Imagine a game that nicks all the best bits from all the best sci-fi movies and combines them into one awesome game of clicking. RTS at its best.

Star Wars

Where do you start with Star Wars games? There have been so many classics, from the Dark Forces games through to Force Unleashed and Lego Star Wars.

Elite

Elite seemed unbelievable, fitting numerous galaxies into a tiny little game. Playing as a trader had never been as exciting and it set a new benchmark in video games.

Blade Runner

This point and click adventure featured a bit more action than the genre usually sees, but it also nailed the look of the film, had amazing dialogue and included lots of different endings.

Mega Man

Capcom’s creation is the poster boy for sci-fi platformers, and also happens to be the star of one of the trickiest series of video games of all time.

Free Space

Nothing did epic space battles as well as Free Space did. You’d be in a tiny little fighter, but getting into dogfights alongside the most enormous space ships.

Another World

Amazing graphics for its time and well ahead of the competition in terms of creating a cinematic feel. You also made friends with an alien and forged a relationship without any dialogue at all.

System Shock

Sci-fi scares on-board an eerie space ship. Simply mentioning the name Shodan will send shivers down the spine of anyone who’s experienced the two classic games in the series.

Deus Ex

The original is one of the best games ever, let alone in the sci-fi genre. It features an amazingly mature storyline, full of incredible ideas. The follow-up, Invisible War, was a bit disappointing, but 2011’s Human Revolution was a sequel worthy of the Deus Ex name.

Command & Conquer

Now this one really is an epic saga. Spread across numerous series, these RTS games have always been packed with cheesy acting and one of the most iconic baddies of all time. The series is getting a revamp with a free-to-play game launching on PC in 2013.

Wing Commander

These days the FMV looks a bit naff, but gamers loved this space combat series in the early ’90s. It even starred Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame. Spiritual successor Star Citizen is currently in development after being crowd funded.

Fallout

If you enjoy a wry sense of humour and games with a unique setting, this series is for you. Combining the look for the 1950s with a post-apocalyptic theme, Fallout has established itself as one of the best RPG series around. Fallout 3 and New Vegas were both great, and rumours point towards Fallout 4 being announced in 2013.