Science fiction-focused video games have left gamers spoiled for choice in how they want to dive into the genre. From exploring the melding of man and machine in a dystopian cityscape in Cyberpunk 2077, to the bombastic battles and camaraderie players have forged in Helldivers II, there is no shortage of ways for players wish to explore these familiar tropes and archetypes.
With this, the sci-fi genre has often left gamers with plenty of opportunities to become heavily invested in the creative worlds and the lives of those who occupy them, to the point that they may shed a tear in relief for the characters' triumphs, or in sympathy with their heartbreaks.
Here are five games that showcase just how sci-fi video games can create memorable experiences by tugging on the heartstrings of gamers.
Halo 4
The Halo franchise has had no shortage of heart-wrenching moments, from the sacrifice of Sergeant Johnson in Halo 3's final level, to the haunting atmosphere of Halo Reach as you face an impossible enemy during the titular planet's final days. However, even 13 years after its release, Halo 4 still stands as the emotional peak of the series, as the Master Chief and Cortana are left to grapple with a tragic inevitability.
Kicking off the then-titled Reclaimer Saga, Halo 4 sets John 117 on a mission to bring Cortana back to humanity after spending years stranded in space, as the beloved AI companion is succumbing to Rampancy, and will eventually die. While the Master Chief tries to press forward and find a solution, Cortana grapples with the grief of knowing her end is coming, lamenting what she could never experience and will miss, seeing her fate as inevitable. Even as ancient foes rise to challenge humanity, the duo's tragic farewell is the core of Halo 4's story, placing the characters at the forefront and giving them greater focus than ever before.
While the release of Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Infinite may have brought back Cortana in a new form, Halo 4's heartbreaking story still stands as the high point of her narrative, as her coming demise forces her and John to grapple with not only their existence, but whether they are truly whole, in turn highlighting just why they are perfect for one another. With Jen Taylor and Steve Downes delivering career-high performances, Halo 4 remains an emotional powerhouse even in the face of later retcons.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Released in 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order marked the franchise's return to single-player story-driven gaming for the first time since EA acquired the license to produce Star Wars video games. Despite any apprehension fans and the wider gaming community had due to the mishandling of the Battlefront series under EA, Jedi: Fallen Order was not only a successful game within its own right, but emerged as one of the best stories within 2019 for the wider franchise, even with it releasing close to The Mandalorian season 1 and The Rise of Skywalker.
Taking place during the Dark Times era between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, players were introduced to Cal Kestis, a Padawan desperately avoiding the Empire's attention after he was left stranded alone on Bracca during Order 66. However, after narrowly escaping the clutches of the Empire's Inquisitors, Cal is thrust into a quest that could mark the return of the Jedi Order. Even though a new hope may be within his grasp, Cal's journey forces him to reckon with his darkest moments.
A key element of Jedi: Fallen Order's narrative is survival, as not only must Cal face his greatest shames and what he gave to survive in a terrifying, changing universe, but his quest brings him face to face with others who have had to give something of themselves to stay alive. These parallels show the many ways loss and desperation can shape someone, providing Cal with a glimpse of what he can become, and in some cases helping him grow beyond his pain. This exploration has allowed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to not only stand as one of the finest gaming entries in the franchise but as one of its emotional peaks to this day.
Mass Effect 2
Bioware's greatest strengths have often been its imaginative, fully fleshed-out worlds and rich, complicated characters, with Mass Effect still standing as one of its greatest tales. After the original 2007 RPG launched the franchise, 2010's Mass Effect 2 added several new layers to the space-faring epic that tested returning players. The video game's opening mission features a shocking ambush that leaves the main character Commander Shepard dead in the cold vacuum of space, as the sequel quickly establishes that things are going to be very different.
Revived by the shady organization Cerberus, Shepard must assemble a new team to uncover the truth behind mass abductions on several human colonies. Each party member, both new and old, brings their own emotional arc that players must help them see through. While each character may bring their own rich narrative that will charm gamers, their very fates also depend on how well Shepard interacts with them in the game's final act, leading to plenty of potential heartbreak.
However, an understated element of Mass Effect 2's storytelling is how it throws Shepard into a far more complex role in the universe. While player choice played a role within the first game's narrative, Shepard was undoubtedly framed as a hero for the most part. In comparison, Shepard's mission is far more complicated, as he is forced to work with more morally dubious allies, making certain reunions with former allies more bittersweet. As such, Mass Effect 2 successfully turns the first game's universe on its head, testing players' resolve when placed in this new position.
Nier: Automata
In 2017, Yoko Taro brought gamers back into the world of Nier with Nier: Automata. Thrust into the midst of a war between human-made androids and alien-built Machines, initially taking on the role of YoRHa combat android 2B in her missions to end the Machine threat. However, as new characters are introduced, it is soon uncovered that she and her companions may be fighting for a lie.
Nier: Automata is an incredibly layered title, with several twists that forever change how you may see its world and characters. The conflict between androids and Machines is a smokescreen for a truth far bleaker than initially depicted, as both sides are trapped in an endless cycle of loss. As such, players are forced to watch beloved characters struggle time and time again.
However, Nier: Automata at its core is a tale of self-determination, choice, and breaking cycles. Not only do the game's artificial protagonists break free of their programming and decide their own future throughout its narrative, but its carefully-crafted game design pushes the question onto gamers themselves through several surprising moments. As such, Nier: Automata stands as a uniquely emotionally engaging experience worth diving into.
Mouthwashing
Releasing in 2024, Mouthwashing recalled the tragedy of the intergalactic freighter Tulpar, exploring the final days of its crew. With the vessel's captain, Curley, left horrifically disfigured and immobile, the rest of the crew are left to survive on the incapacitated, badly-damaged vessel with dwindling supplies. However, as players witness their ordeal, it soon becomes clear that the true horrors began long before the incident.
As the crew grows more desperate, tensions escalate among each character, leading to several brutal and harrowing scenarios until only two remain. While this bleak downward spiral alone is sure to provide players with a chilling experience, later revelations about the lead-up to the incident forever alter how you see the crew members. This all culminates in a surreal sequence of events that will leave most gamers shaken.
Mouthwashing is relentless, unnerving, and bleak, with the darker and more mature themes it tackles certainly not being for the faint of heart. However, if gamers wish to dive into the recent horror video game, they will be rewarded with a gripping narrative whose key characters are equally compelling, making their tragic ends and inevitable truths behind their circumstances all the more world-shattering.