While sci-fi isn't often recognized in gaming as its own separate entity as it is in literature or film, the genre has still spawned various groundbreaking titles that helped shape the medium. System Shock 2, BioShock, Deus Ex, and Mass Effect are hailed as works of art that blend intriguing sci-fi themes, immersive worlds, and enjoyable gameplay.
Despite spawning the occasional mainstream title, sci-fi games typically target a niche market, and an underwhelming score on Metacritic could be a death sentence. With more and more games coming out every week, a Metacritic score under 80 is often enough to turn away potential customers who are on the fence. Here are 10 sci-fi games that are better than their Metacritic scores suggest.
Disclaimer: This article is not about highlighting instances when critics got it wrong, but rather to pinpoint certain games with average Metacritic scores that still have plenty to offer to sci-fi enthusiasts.
10 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (76)
In isolation, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine's 76 aggregate score is hardly bad. However, such a score is likely to put off anyone not intimately familiar with the license, although that did not stop the game from performing above expectations when it comes to sales.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is a polished third-person shooter that takes full advantage of Warhammer's expansive universe. Focusing slightly more on melee combat than some of its contemporaries, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine should not be dismissed as a title solely intended for diehard fans of the license.
9 TRON: Evolution (59)
Movie tie-in games frequently fail to live up to even the lowest of expectations, often coming across as rushed projects that are more likely to damage the film's reputation than enhance it. TRON: Evolution scored average scores across the board, suggesting that it is no better than Sega's litany of mediocre Marvel games.
While far from groundbreaking, TRON: Evolution is a more than competent action game that benefits from being set in a universe seemingly designed for gaming. Blending vehicular combat, fun platforming, decent albeit repetitive combat, and effective visuals, TRON: Evolution is better than a 59 Metacritic score suggests.
8 Anarchy Reigns (73)
Anarchy Reigns was PlatinumGames' worst game until the studio began to produce licensed products around 2014. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where every street seems to be on the verge of an all-0ut brawl, Anarchy Reigns is a multiplayer-focused beat 'em up with 18 (including one DLC fighter) playable characters, all of which utilize different weapons and styles.
While the single-player campaign is robust but repetitive, Anarchy Reigns' online component captures the sheer madness of the combat system's free-for-all nature. Even if not as immediately gratifying as a Bayonetta or a Vanquish, Anarchy Reigns still produces moments of brilliance. Nowadays, there isn't much point in picking this one up, although the single-player should provide enough entertainment to justify a $5 investment.
7 Binary Domain (74)
A common inclusion on "underrated" games lists, Binary Domain went by largely unknown until it began to make waves after being released as a PS Plus title. Set in a future where robots have replaced most of the human labor force, Sega's third-person shooter features a complex squad system that sees the secondary characters reacting to the protagonist's choices.
In terms of gameplay, Binary Domain compliments solid shooting mechanics with a competent upgrade system, a great sense of scale, and serviceable enemy AI.
6 Transformers: War for Cybertron (77)
Somewhat overshadowed by its slightly superior sequel, Transformers: War for Cybertron is nevertheless a fantastic game and one of the best to be based on the Transformers license. As the title suggests, War for Cybertron sees the Decepticons and Autobots in a destructive battle for Cybertron's future.
War for Cybertron's single-player mode is split into two campaigns, one from the perspective of the Decepticons and the other following the Autobots. The story is engaging and befitting of a game centering around a deadly civil war, while the third-person gameplay is simplistic but entertaining. When it comes to mech games, few are better than War for Cybertron.
5 Syndicate (75)
2012's Syndicate was a departure from the franchise's isometric tactical roots, with the reboot opting to go down a more action-oriented direction. Set in 2069, players control Miles Kilo, a corporate dog tasked with taking out targets who work for his master's competitors. Along the way, Kilo stumbles upon a conspiracy.
Syndicate is simply fun to play, primarily due to an expansive selection of guns and various "breach" abilities that allow Kino to essentially hack his enemies. While the story and characters could have been better, Starbreeze Studios crafted a highly entertaining sci-fi shooter that deserved more than a 75 on Metacritic.
4 Breakdown (71)
In the grand scheme of things, how important is innovation? Should a game be forgiven for its shortcomings if it is attempting to push the envelope? In the case of Breakdown, the answer is not that apparent. Released in 2004 for the Xbox, Namco's first-person action game sought to take immersion to the next level.
Players are left in control of sequences that would usually be depicted in cut-scenes, while actions like loading guns are depicted as realistically as possible. Breakdown's ambition deserves to be lauded, even if other parts of the game are not too great. The predictable story centers around an amnesiac who wakes up in a lab and must fight off a seemingly military corporation while trying to learn his identity, while the combat and exploration lack depth. That said, Breakdown is still better than its Metacritic score suggests.
3 Remember Me (72)
Developed by the same studio responsible for Life is Strange and Vampyr, Remember Me never fully comes together in a completely satisfying way, primarily due to the frustrating combat that tries but falls just short of aping Batman: Arkham Asylum's free-flowing system.
That said, the story - which revolves around entering people's memories to manipulate them - is well-paced and continually engaging, while the Neo-Paris setting is a sight to behold. It is not a surprise that Dontnod Entertainment's subsequent releases would prioritize narrative over gameplay. On a normal scale where 50% is regarded as "average," Remember Me's Metacritic score would be an accurate reflection of its quality. Basically, it is above average.
2 Lost Planet 2 (68)
All three of the Lost Planet games are flawed in one way or another, and it is hard to argue that any of them were unfairly treated by critics. Lost Planet tells an interesting story, boasts stunning visuals for the time, and some impressively large maps, while Lost Planet 3 is a game that exists and mostly works.
Lost Planet 2 is not quite as impressive as its predecessor, but also considerably better than its successor. Shifting to warmer terrains placed more of an emphasis on combat rather than resource management, a change that helps the gameplay flow better than the first game in the series. The multiplayer was also a ton of fun. Lost Planet 2 falls short of greatness, but only by a small margin.
1 Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space (72)
Known as Global Defence Force outside of Japan, Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space is gaming's equivalent to a B-movie. The campaign revolves around shooting giants bugs, and missions can be boiled down to blow up everything in an area until the credits roll. The game offers mindless fun and nothing more.
Some later entries in the series are superior to Invaders From Planet Space, however, all of them tend to be more enjoyable in small doses. Consequently, the fact that Invaders From Planet Space is available on the PS Vita works greatly in its favor, as the gameplay is perfect for a handheld device.