Recommend me some Sci-fi RPGs

[Matseb2611]

As a fan of the sci-fi genre, I am interested to see if there are any good futuristic/sci-fi RPGs I've missed. There seem to be much less sci-fi RPGs out there than medieval fantasy ones. This goes for all game types: triple A, indie, RM, paid or free, etc.

Just a few things to take into consideration when recommending:

- They have to be reasonably good quality.

- RPG elements are the focus, not a side dish.

- Sci-fi is the focus. So stuff akin to Chrono Trigger doesn't count, since only about 1/4 of it was sci-fi (albeit it was awesome, but still)

- They have to be on PC. If you wish to recommend console-only ones for other people, feel free, but please point that fact out.

- Single-player experiences please. I am not into MMOs.

I'll mention the sci-fi RPGs I've played so that you don't end up recommending them. Also they might give you a good indication of which ones I liked and which not so much.

- Deus Ex (enjoyed it for years and completed it dozens of times)

- DX: Invisible War (played it recently, but couldn't get far due to too many loading screens and constant crashes)

- DX: Human Revolution (enjoyed it a lot)

- Mass Effect (enjoyed it a lot)

- Mass Effect 2 (enjoyed it a lot)

- Mars: War Logs (enjoyed it a lot)

- Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines (enjoyed it a lot)

- FFVII (if you consider it sci-fi; enjoyed it a lot, but not a fan of some of the mini-games)

- Dishonoured (if you consider it sci-fi; enjoyed it a lot, though prefer more futuristic sci-fi than steampunk)

- Fallout 3 (same as the above; had a bit of fun with this, but not too hot on steampunk/retro-sci-fi)

- Shadowrun Returns (liked it a fair bit, but lost interest closer to the end)

- KOTOR 1 (played for several hours, but couldn't get into it)

- System Shock 2 (played for several hours, but couldn't get into it)

 

[cabfe]

KOTOR 2 is often said to be better than the first (although the beginning is really bad and drags...). It's been too long since I played both, but I liked them.

Omikron, the nomad soul. I don't know if it's good, I just couldn't get into it, but some people say it's a good game.

There aren't that many sci-fi RPGs, now that I think of it...

 

[_Shadow_]

TRANSISTOR!




Perfect stoytelling.

Great story.

Nice battle system.

Fluent character build options.

Outstanding graphics and music.

Perfect atmosphere.

Sci-Fi 100%

You didn't mentioned it.

It is a game by Supergiant Games!

For me the last one was enough.

If you missed this one, just don't waste any more time.

 

[Matseb2611]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

Transistor looks pretty good. I notice its gameplay sections look kind of like Shadowrun. What's the story-telling like? One thing that got me bored with Shadowrun is that it had too much telling and not enough showing and I got tired of reading descriptions of character appearances and what they're doing whilst talking to you.

I have KOTOR 2 in my Steam library, but very reluctant to play it. Funny, I often hear people say the first one is better. But if the 2nd one is a lot like the 1st, chances are I won't enjoy it.

I've heard of Omikron. In fact, had someone else recommend it to me and it looks reasonably good. The only thing that makes me a bit skeptical about getting it is that it's quite old, and so I wonder, what's the difficulty like? Is it easy enough or is it brutally hard? Also, is it clear where to go and what to do (this is usually a big problem many older games seem to have)?

 

[_Shadow_]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

Transistor looks pretty good. I notice its gameplay sections look kind of like Shadowrun. What's the story-telling like? One thing that got me bored with Shadowrun is that it had too much telling and not enough showing and I got tired of reading descriptions of character appearances and what they're doing whilst talking to you.

Perfect balance. As I said they did a fantatic job on storytelling and most of the time, you get pieces of the story wile action is going on. A lot of telling, about the past and present is what you see. In the middle you use your imagination. I won't tell more since I don't wanna spoil you this experience.

 

[Matseb2611]

Thanks for clarifying on that, Dread. I've added it to my Steam wishlist now. Might wait till it goes on sale (hopefully soon).

 

[cabfe]

(...)
I've heard of Omikron. In fact, had someone else recommend it to me and it looks reasonably good. The only thing that makes me a bit skeptical about getting it is that it's quite old, and so I wonder, what's the difficulty like? Is it easy enough or is it brutally hard? Also, is it clear where to go and what to do (this is usually a big problem many older games seem to have)?

From my experience, several years ago, it was quite hard and there weren't crystal clear objectives. It's part of the game, you're supposed to explore as I understood it. But I gave up on a part (don't remember if it was hard or time limited) either way I tried several times but couldn't beat it.

Transistor was made by the people who did Bastion, right?

If the gameplay is the same, I wouldn't call it a RPG but rather a hack&slash. In Bastion there were fights and more fights, a couple lines of dialogues and fights again.

But the music was outstanding.

 

[Matseb2611]

Lol, I see. So Omikron would be hard and unclear without a walkthrough?

As for Transistor, apparently yeah, though I've never played Bastion, so can't comment on the gameplay.

 

[magnaangemon01]

I have KOTOR 2 in my Steam library, but very reluctant to play it. Funny, I often hear people say the first one is better. But if the 2nd one is a lot like the 1st, chances are I won't enjoy it.

The story of 2 wasn't as good as the first one, but the characters were better and the gameplay was definitely a lot better.

And I have to mention one of my favorite console games, Rogue Galaxy for the PS2. I loved it.

But, if you don't mind Visual Novels, Sunrider on Steam is decent. Mask of Arcadius. It's free. It's sister, Sunrider Academy, however is not.

Which reminds me. I need to try the 3 Star Wolves games I have.

 

[_Shadow_]

Bastion is not a hack n slash really.

I can call it an action RPG but not a hack n slash.

Diablo franchise or Neverwinter Nights, well yes these two are hack n slash. 

Despite the hack n slash type of their gameplay Diablo and NWN are also considered RPGs too, but with hack n slash gameplay. I can't agree more with you if you consider RPGs different genre from hack n slash by the way, but that's another story.

The difference between Bastion and Diablo though, I take Diablo franchise for example, is that in Diablo, you learn nothing new, while killing mobs of enemies for no reason, just to level up.

Classifying Bastion as a hack n slash game just undermines it.

As for Transistor, the gameplay is and feels very different from what Bastion was. It is turn based strategic (it can turn into action but I REALLY prefer the turn based one, since it is more tactical and you can use your skills better).

 

[cabfe]

Lol, I see. So Omikron would be hard and unclear without a walkthrough?

As for Transistor, apparently yeah, though I've never played Bastion, so can't comment on the gameplay.

Considering I was stuck at a player's skill related obstacle, even a walkthrough wouldn't help...

Bastion is not a hack n slash really.

I can call it an action RPG but not a hack n slash.

Diablo franchise or Neverwinter Nights, well yes these two are hack n slash. 

Despite the hack n slash type of their gameplay Diablo and NWN are also considered RPGs too, but with hack n slash gameplay.

The difference between Bastion and Diablo though, I take Diablo franchise for example, is that in Diablo, you learn nothing new, while killing mobs of enemies for no reason, just to level up.

Classifying Bastion as a hack n slash game just undermines it.

As for Transistor, the gameplay is and feels very different from what Bastion was. It is turn based strategic (it can turn into action but I REALLY prefer the turn based one, since it is more tactical and you can use your skills better).

I'm confused. You first say that Diablo and Neverwinter Nights are Hack&Slash, then define Diablo as being one because it lacks character progression (only a level up).

But that not the case of Neverwinter Nights which uses the D&D ver.3 rules.

I'd call Neverwinter Nights an Action-RPG though, but not a H&S.

Anyway, that's not helping our friend here

Glad to read that the gameplay of Transistor is different than of Bastion's. That what made me skip this game since I didn't like the demo of Bastion just because of that gameplay.

 

[_Shadow_]

Considering I was stuck at a player's skill related obstacle, even a walkthrough wouldn't help...

I'm confused. You first say that Diablo and Neverwinter Nights are Hack&Slash, then define Diablo as being one because it lacks character progression (only a level up).

But that not the case of Neverwinter Nights which uses the D&D ver.3 rules.

I'd call Neverwinter Nights an Action-RPG though, but not a H&S.

Anyway, that's not helping our friend here

Glad to read that the gameplay of Transistor is different than of Bastion's. That what made me skip this game since I didn't like the demo of Bastion just because of that gameplay.

My sincere apologies. I didn't meant what you understood and what I wrote might confused you.

English is not my native language so it is my bad probably.

As for Transistor, it can look like Bastion's gameplay (but I don't recommend that really).

Its tactical features are REALLY brilliant. They even add atmosphere and put you deeper in the mood of the game than putting you out of it.

I recommend you to take a look at Transistor by all means.

It seems you know a lot about RPG games and if you are picky, you might love it.

 

[Hahn Deathspark]

Hyperdimension Neptunia on Steam? Not sure if that's Sci Fi though @@

I thoroughly enjoyed that game, it's RPG. A lot of strategy and it'll keep you occupied, a lot

I just finished Bastion like, an hour ago...? So I think Transistor would be awesome.

 

[Clord]

Star Wars - The old Republic is a good one. You can treat is as a single player game with MMORPG elements tackled onto it. Essentially you can just do the storyline and not bother with guilds etc. Unless you really want to do stuff that requires a party.

 

[Matseb2611]

Oh wow, the discussion took off. This is good.

In regard to Diablo-esque games, though I do see them as RPGs in a sense, they're more dungeon crawler type RPGs and do not put much focus on story.

The main reasons KOTOR 1 didn't appeal to me:

 - Very slow paced in the early parts and the story and characters didn't hook me.

 - Way too much text and descriptions. There are skills, talents, abilities, and all sorts of categories and sub-categories within, and for each and every skill and talent there is tonnes of text. It wasn't introduced gradually, it was all just thrown in at once, and I found playing this game more of a chore than fun.

 - I tried to make my character a tank, but the enemies still kept owning me. Essentially the game was forcing me to hack computers and stuff, even though that's not the direction I wanted to build my character in, so that greatly annoyed me.

So yeah, that's why I am not too enthused on checking out KOTOR 2 or TOR.

Just had a look at Steam pages of Sunrider and Neptunia. They're both a bit too anime for my taste, though since Sunrider is free, I might try it out and see if it hooks me.

 

[Clord]

I backed project that was related on Sunrider game. It isn't exactly a typical visual novel as there is actual tactical combat system (albeit simplified.)


I didn't expect it was going to be a freeware game but that is lack of paying attention on their Kickstarter page.

 

[Hahn Deathspark]

Oh wow, the discussion took off. This is good.

In regard to Diablo-esque games, though I do see them as RPGs in a sense, they're more dungeon crawler type RPGs and do not put much focus on story.

The main reasons KOTOR 1 didn't appeal to me:

 - Very slow paced in the early parts and the story and characters didn't hook me.

 - Way too much text and descriptions. There are skills, talents, abilities, and all sorts of categories and sub-categories within, and for each and every skill and talent there is tonnes of text. It wasn't introduced gradually, it was all just thrown in at once, and I found playing this game more of a chore than fun.

 - I tried to make my character a tank, but the enemies still kept owning me. Essentially the game was forcing me to hack computers and stuff, even though that's not the direction I wanted to build my character in, so that greatly annoyed me.

So yeah, that's why I am not too enthused on checking out KOTOR 2 or TOR.

Just had a look at Steam pages of Sunrider and Neptunia. They're both a bit too anime for my taste, though since Sunrider is free, I might try it out and see if it hooks me.

Too Anime, haha. That's sad Well, if I'm going to reccomend further, they gonna be more Anime XDXD

I kinda not play for long whenever a game isn't Anime, I don't know why... When the graphics aren't Anime and it's RPG, I tend to quit halfway for some reason ><;

Well, maybe XCOM Enemy Unknown on Steam as well? You kill aliens, so it's Sci Fi. I suck hard at that game. In fact, I quit it because I lost interest in it halfway through @@ Maybe this will interest you.

 

[magnaangemon01]

KotoR 1 and 2 take a few hours to really get going. Everything doesn't tie together during the second half, but it has a lot of plot twists, so the second half is worth the whole game. Same with KotoR 2. The ending was disappointing. But I heard there's a download somewhere that can help make 2 a bit better.

 

[Matseb2611]

@ Deathspark: Ah yeah. My brother kept recommending Xcom to me. I really should try that (I think it's more tactics than RPG, right?).

@ Magnaangemon: Thought so. I used to be more tolerant in the past of games picking up only some hours in, but nowadays I have less tolerance for that and if a game doesn't get going in the first couple of hours, I stop playing it. I think it's just times have changed, and there is a much larger choice of games than there used to be, so we players can afford to be more picky with what we play. (With KOTOR 1, I played it for about 7-8 hours and it was still too slow for me)

 

[StrawberryFlower]

I *was* going to suggest Star Ocean, but I might be too "anime" for you.