Best Sci-Fi Military Games

Key recommendations

• Military sci-fi in video games includes the frantic alien battles of Quake 2, the strategy of Dune, and the defense against alien invasion of XCOM 2.
• Quake 2 offers a fast-paced arena shooter in a military alien territory with a unique theme and experience.
• Dune: Spice Wars focuses on real-time strategy macro-management, territorial control, and thematic challenges.

Science fiction spans many sub-genres from video games, film, television, and literature. Video games have taken over many of these subgenres, from The outer wilds and his contemplative nature to Ratchet & Clank with its action-packed intergalactic adventures up to Zortch and its silly, satirical first-person action.

Military science fiction, concerned with portraying military organizations and how they might apply technology in the distant future, is a relatively loosely defined genre. Many games could fit into its definition, due to a large number of titles taking on militaristic themes, largely due to the use of combat and violence as a conduit for game mechanics.

1 Earthquake 2

A fast and frantic journey through militaristic foreign territory

First Earthquakedeveloped by pioneer id Software, it was built around a proprietary blend of science fiction and fantasy, with diverse locations, enemies and weapons. After the release of the innovative debut, the game's immediate sequel, aptly named Earthquake 2took the series in an entirely different direction, pitting players against the vicious Strogg in a sci-fi military setting.

The game's opening cinematic says it all, promptly filling the player in on the threat known as the Strogg, before showing a battleship full of turrets approaching the enemy's homeworld. Fans of frenetic, fast-paced first-person shooters with an emphasis on arena combat and expressive movement should definitely consider blasting Earthquake 2especially if they haven't played it before.

2 Dune: Spice Wars

Political war between militaristic factions

This expansive and ambitious combination of real-time strategy and 4X gaming takes place on the iconic planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, and features a lot of mechanics and thematic systems in line with the universe presented by the novels. From the powerful and dangerous worms that prevent safe long-distance travel, to the wear and tear that comes with the hostile desert, Dune: Spice Wars offers themed challenges that force players to adapt their strategy from game to game. The game's source material may also refer to ecology and religion, but Dune: Spice Wars focuses mostly on war and politics.

Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game that focuses on macro-management over micro-management, much more about overall strategy than details. This is facilitated by a territory system that has players fighting over large chunks of land in an attempt to control their respective villages, gaining access to that territory's unique benefits and preventing attrition in that area. The diversity of playable factions and their unique units and research trees also make for a replayable experience.

Defending the earth with a paramilitary organization

Known for its harsh and unforgiving gameplay loop, deeply tactical combat encounters and strategic layers, XCOM 2 is an incredibly replayable and always challenging strategy game that puts players in command of a paramilitary group during an alien invasion. The game's focus on military combat and alien technology makes it a great sci-fi military game for fans of turn-based tactics and strategic management.

XCOM 2 is built around close combat encounters where players must use cover and flanking mechanics to complete objectives while keeping their team alive. Interspersed with these compact missions is the base building/management layer of the game, entrusting players to conduct research and manage their roster.

4 Star Wars: Republic Commando

A serious journey through the clone wars

One of the many games to try your hand at adapting Star Wars universe, Star Wars: Republic Commando is a surprisingly serious title that puts players in the shoes of clone commandos, fighting through a variety of missions set during the Clone Wars battle. The game's first-person action and team-based mechanics make for a shockingly engaging campaign even after all these years, but the engaging user interface, world-building, and loyalty to the source material make for an obviously faithful campaign. Star Wars game.

However, the personalities and banter between the core team of commandos is undoubtedly what makes it Star Wars: Republic Commando so special. They often turn even the most boring moments of the game into memorable moments, and that's what really elevates Command of the Republic.

5 Gears Of War 2

A grim-dark, gruesome third-person shooter

This sequel to the ground-breaking cover-based shooter, Gears Of Waris a faithfully constructed continuation of the dark-dark action-packed story presented by the first game. The strong military themes of a crack team fighting a losing war against an apocalyptic enemy, the dark world and story within, as well as the character moments dotted throughout, are some of the franchise's greatest strengths and s -could argue that Gears Of War 2 make the best use of them.

Gears Of War as a series it is, as the name suggests, entirely focused on the act of war, and its dark, oppressive tone rarely lets up. Intuitive third-person gameplay, dark story and memorable characters make Gears Of War 2 it's worth revisiting, even today.

6 Halo 3

Unapologetic military sci-fi melodrama and first-person action

Some fans may favor Halo 2 for his diverse campaign, but Halo 3 deserves props for rounding out the original trilogy in a satisfying manner, putting a cap on the Master Chief story for now. Short but Dramatic Campaign may not push the boundaries with its sci-fi military story, but it's a silly fun for fans of sci-fi B-movies and military themes.

The Halo the series as a whole is definitely worth playing in chronological order if players want to get the most out of its bombastic sci-fi story, battling alien enemies in a wide variety of exotic locations and storming the beaches with gung-ho marines. Let's not forget the killer soundtrack either.