Summary
Normally, when the idea of an RPG comes to mind, gamers think of fantasy games such asThe Elder ScrollsorBaldur’s Gate. However, many RPGs with a sci-fi setting have also excelled and one of the most anticipated isThe Outer Worlds 2, which is currently set to release later in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Fortunately, there are other sci-fi RPGs out there that can help gamers pass the time beforeThe Outer Worlds 2is released. They range from other space-faring adventures set on alien planets to Earth-based stories set in the distant future, either post-apocalyptic or dystopian. Each one takes on RPG aspects in their own memorable ways.
Rather than going for something likeMass EffectorGuardians Of The Galaxywith outlandish sci-fi elements,Starfieldtakes a more practical approach to a space-faring adventure. Everything is designed to be more rugged and industrial, akin to films like the originalAlienorInterstellar, while giving gamers the chance to explore over one thousand planets across different star systems.
Starfieldis Bethesda’s newest original RPG and despite initial drama about it being an Xbox and PC-only release, it still provided much of what fans loved inThe Elder ScrollsandFalloutgames.Building and upgrading starships, fighting space pirates and aliens, and completing quests across different planets has resulted in one of Bethesda’s more underrated titles.
Earthboundwas the victim of poor marketing when it was released in 1995, but over the years, word of mouth spread and gradually turned the flop into an all-time classic. It features kids on an adventure in a suburban town fending off an alien invasion utilizing simple weapons and a little telepathic ability.
The story ofEarthboundis a mind-bender, especially since it was originally a sequel to a Japanese game calledMother, but that became part of its charm. The bizarre enemies, characters, and story beats combined with well-made turn-based RPG gameplay all became vital pieces of what would become an iconic game.
The planet of Pandora has become iconic due to theBorderlandsseries. While the first game is enjoyable, many fans considerBorderlands 2to be the best installment.The playable characters are unique, and even the new Siren class stands out from Lilith, offering greater depth in their skill trees and the RPG system.
It’s not aBorderlandsgame without guns, and Borderlands 2 is filled to the brim with thousands of guns that are to be looted, upgraded, or traded. On top of it all, Pandora is expanded upon even more with different biomes that provide more diversity in visuals as well as the different kinds of foes, especially with the series’ now-iconic villain: Handsome Jack.
Thanks to a rushed release,Cyberpunk 2077was met with a controversial launch in 2020 filled with missing content and a plethora of glitches. Fortunately, CD Projekt Red took the time to release numerous patches and an expansion that turned it into the immersive RPG that it is now. It is a real-life redemption story for a video game that comes so rarely, but gamers were happy it happened.
As the character known only as V, the player dives deep intothe dystopian underbelly of Night Cityto pursue their criminal life as they choose. They can be as heroic or as villainous as they wish, both in terms of character development and in the way they level up their cybernetic upgrades to suit their needs. With Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, and hundreds of hours of content, the final product emerges as a modern classic.
Nearly everyStar Warsgame takes inspiration from other games and theStar Wars Jediseries by Respawn Entertainment borrows heavily from Souls-like action RPG games such asBloodborneandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The sequel,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorgoes even further into RPG territory with even more skill trees to level up, more weapon variationwith the five lightsaber stances, abilities, and perks that turn Cal Kestis into a powerful Jedi.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivornot only adds to the RPG aspects, but improves on what many felt lacked inStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The planets are even bigger with more activities to do, including side quests. Cal Kestis and his loyal companion droid BD-1 are also far more customizable from head to toe, and the same can be said for lightsabers, which were already a highlight inFallen Order.
In the 2010s, the originalMass Effecttrilogy was considered the gold standard when it came to space RPGs, rivaling the likes ofStar TrekandStar Warsin terms of world-building, storytelling, and character development. That’s why fans were happy to see all three games remastered in one package withMass Effect: Legendary Edition.
Like most BioWare RPGs,Mass Effectgames mix top-tier storytelling and characters with strong gameplay, mixing third-person shooter elements with psionic powers depending on the class. The Legendary Edition keeps all that made the three games so cherished, especially the story and dialogue options thatcan drastically change entire plotlines. At the same time, it updates a few outdated aspects, especially in the firstMass Effect.
Bethesda had a tough act to follow after their explosive hits withFallout 3andThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, butFallout 4proved to be a worthy addition to their library. It gave fans a fresh perspective of someone who has survived the nuclear apocalypse since the day the bombs dropped and is now searching the wastelands of Boston to find their lost child.
Longtime fans often debate betweenFallout 4andFallout: New Vegasas which is the best in the series.Fallout 4boasts even better visuals, even withoutthe many mods available for it, and more simplified but effective controls that make wandering the wasteland a blast. It also introduces base-building mechanics that give the player more to do outside the already expansive list of quests.
Deus Ex: Human Revolutionreboots the series by putting the player in the shoes of Adam Jensen, who feels like alove letter to classic cyborg characterslike RoboCop. He is a Detroit SWAT operative-turned private security officer who is rebuilt with cybernetic augments after his body is mostly destroyed, turning him into a superhero agent for a cyberpunk future.
Alongside a gripping and thought-provoking story of corporate espionage, Deus Ex: Human Revolution maintains what made the originalDeus Exso revolutionary in terms of gameplay. Nearly any situation can be handled via stealth or guns-blazing action as the player wishes and just like Mass Effect, the player can make choices that alter the story.
Adam Jensen continues with the direct sequel, which took an already strong template of the first game and pushed it even further with polished visuals and gameplay. The result isDeus Ex: Mankind Divided, which pushes its hero even more with a story being the aftermath of the first game’s ending.
Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedalso takes its cyborg concept even further with even more upgrades for Adam Jensen unlocked throughout the game that make him even more powerful. However, that doesn’t meanhe is a perfect super-soldier, as enemies are not only stronger but are even more difficult, resulting in a sequel that is considered on par with the first, if not superior.
While fans wait for the sequel,The Outer Worldsis still worth playing, even if it’s for a third or fourth time. Obsidian Entertainment delivered when it came to giving fans an intergalactic RPG that mixes retro-futurism and fun first-person shooter gameplay to create a memorable adventure that can appeal to fans of their previous endeavors and sci-fi fans in general.
Not only is ita delight to explore planets freely, battling other space explorers, bandits, and alien monsters,but The Outer Worldsalso features player choices that truly matter. From character creation to mission outcomes, Obsidian ensures that even the smallest details have significance. The addition of social satire targeting capitalism and corporate control serves as a humorous icing on a delicious cake.
