The 21st century has seen many technological advancements, literally bringing the stuff of science fiction into reality. The world is progressing at a rate so rapid that things that were once considered impossible do not seem too far out of reach anymore. Though this century is still in its early years, game developers can not help but wonder what things would be like a hundred years from now.
What other medium could portray the imagination of dreamers in a more illustrious way than gaming? Over the past few decades, game developers have already worked on numerous titles showcasing their vision of the future and have delivered some quality sci-fi games for players to enjoy. Here are some of the best games set in the 22nd century that are bound to leave players wondering about the future.
5 Wipeout Series
The racing genre has primarily been defined by big franchises like Forza, Gran Turismo, and Need for Speed, while games like Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing have been long associated with the kart racing sub-genre, but none of them truly portray what the future of racing could possibly look like. Then came the PlayStation 3 title, Wipeout HD, which blew fans away with its futuristic take on racing, and its sequels only solidified the Wipeout franchise as the definitive futuristic racers. Specifically, Wipeout 3, Wipeout Fusion, and Wipeout Pure all take place in the 22nd century.
The best way to experience the Wipeout games is through the Wipeout Omega Collection, which combines content from three Wipeout games: Wipeout HD (which contains Pure and Pulse), Wipeout HD Fury, and Wipeout 2048, all remastered for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game is a multiplayer racer that allows players to race using airships. The mechanics, the atmosphere, the tracks and even the audio all blend together in a way that portrays an exhilarating sense of immersion, which players can only dream of in real life.
4 Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1&2
The Mega Man X series is a spin-off franchise of the original Mega Man games and is centered around a robot named X who is reactivated a hundred years after its creation by an archeologist. The first Legacy Collection contains the first four games of the Mega Man X saga, while the second Legacy Collection contains the next four entries in the series, all set in the 22nd century.
The game's plot revolves around Mega Man as he joins the Maverick Hunters to eliminate rogue androids who are seeking to destroy the human race. The Legacy Collection 1 and 2 are the definitive way to revisit the Maverick Saga and are bound to be enjoyable for newcomers as well.
3 Alien Isolation
Alien Isolation is a survival horror game set 15 years (2137) after the events of the original Alien film. Developed by Creative Assembly, the game follows engineer Amanda Ripley as she tries to figure out what happened to her mother Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the original film. Though the game is set in the Alien universe, it does not require prior information about any of the source material to get into.
Alien Isolation received critical acclaim for its visuals and gameplay which still holds up decently today. The game does a tremendous job of portraying a life-threatening environment that constantly keeps players on their toes. Though there have been many space-ship-centered games since Alien Isolation's release, it is still one of the best portrayals of science fiction seen in the gaming industry.
2 Doom Eternal
Released in 2020, Doom Eternal is a first-person shooter developed by Id Software and is a sequel to 2016's Doom. The game takes place in 2163 after a catastrophic invasion leaves 60% of Earth's population dead. Players take control of the Doom Slayer as he slays the invading demons roaming the earth. Doom Eternal was praised for its campaign, level design, gunplay, and much more.
The game introduced a Battle and a Horde mode on top of the traditional multiplayer mode. Doom Eternal is chaotic, gory, fast-paced, and above all just plain fun. The weapons feel very receptive, making the gaming experience feel even more immersive.
1 Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Developed by BioWare, the Mass Effect Trilogy is one of gaming's best original sci-fi series to date, and now players can experience it all again with the remakes of the original. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition includes all three Mass Effect games remade for the current and next-generation consoles and PC. As the developers continue to work on a 4th installment in the franchise, the Legendary Edition gives players the perfect chance to revisit or catch up with the story of Mass Effect.
In these action RPGs, players assume control of an elite human soldier by the name of Commander Shepard in the waning years of the 22nd century as he/she struggles to unite the galactic forces against a race of advanced machines known as Reapers. The gameplay and graphics have all seen an upgrade and the decisions in the game still have lasting impacts, making the weight of every move feel like a heavy burden.