Top Sci-Fi Franchises Originating from Video Games

This iconic series follows Master Chief's fight against the alien Covenant and Forerunner forces, exploring themes of artificial intelligence and ancient mysteries. The franchise expanded into novels and animated series, deepening the lore of the Spartan super-soldiers and the Halos themselves.

Set in the Koprulu Sector, this epic RTS universe features a three-way war between humans, Protoss, and Zerg alien races. The extensive lore explores genetic engineering, psychic powers, and interstellar politics, influencing numerous subsequent space opera narratives in gaming and comics.

Players navigate a galaxy threatened by the cyclical extinction of synthetic life, engaging in political intrigue and deep character relationships. The franchise is renowned for its consequential choices, diverse alien species, and the moral complexities of artificial intelligence and synthetic rights.

Following bounty hunter Samus Aran, this series pioneered the action-adventure genre with exploration-heavy gameplay and atmospheric sci-fi settings. The narrative delves into biological experimentation, ancient civilizations, and the moral ambiguity of using alien technology for combat.

This cyberpunk thriller examines the intersection of conspiracy, transhumanism, and government control in a near-future world. It explores the societal impacts of bio-enhancements, AI autonomy, and global economic disparity through complex branching narratives and immersive simulation mechanics.

Set in a dying solar system, players take on the role of Guardians wielding Light to defend Earth from various alien threats. The franchise blends MMO elements with shooter mechanics, featuring a rich mythos involving ancient races like the Vex and the cosmic struggle between Light and Darkness.

Engineer Isaac Clarke battles necromorphs on a mining ship using innovative dismemberment mechanics and claustrophobic horror elements. The series explores the dangers of uncontrolled alien biology and corporate negligence, set against a backdrop of industrial sci-fi decay.

While often classified as horror-action, the lore involves interdimensional travel, demonic entities, and UAC scientific experiments gone wrong. The recent reboot expanded the narrative to include time-travel elements and the origins of Hell, grounding the fast-paced gameplay in a cohesive sci-fi context.

This post-apocalyptic series explores the aftermath of nuclear war and the rise of advanced technology like power armor and Pip-Boys. The franchise blends black comedy with deep societal reconstruction themes, examining the consequences of scientific hubris and the reliance on pre-war technology.

Set in Night City, this RPG delves into transhumanism, corporate warfare, and digital consciousness in a dystopian future. It features a rich narrative about identity and survival, integrating elements of hacking, cybernetics, and street-level rebellion against mega-corporations.

This survival horror series is set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where anomalies and mutated creatures arise from mysterious scientific accidents. It explores the psychological toll of isolation, the allure of black market artifacts, and the intersection of reality and supernatural phenomena.

Featuring agile infantry combat synchronized with massive piloted mechs, this series introduced the concept of Titans as sentient partners. The lore explores the political tensions between the Frontier and Earth, highlighting the role of technology in asymmetric warfare and colonization.

Set on a space station overrun by alien mimics, the game explores themes of identity, memory, and scientific ethics. Players must use psychological horror and tactical innovation to survive, questioning the nature of reality and the consequences of unregulated xenobiological research.

A seminal title in the cyberpunk genre, it features a rogue AI on a space station and first-person action-RPG elements. The narrative deals with corporate espionage, mind control, and the dangers of unchecked artificial intelligence, influencing countless successors in the genre.

This survival horror experience places players in the shoes of a technician on a station overrun by a single Xenomorph. It emphasizes stealth and atmosphere, exploring the terrifying capabilities of the perfect organism and the fragility of human technology against primal fear.

This looter-shooter series is set on the lawless planet Pandora, featuring cartoonish art styles and deep RPG mechanics. It explores the consequences of resource extraction, alien ecosystems, and chaotic violence, with a narrative that balances dark humor with sci-fi adventure.

Expanding on the main series, this content pack explores the city of Neomuna and the political intrigue of the City State. It introduces new subclasses and deepens the story of the Traveler's influence, focusing on resistance against oppressive forces and the evolution of Guardian abilities.

As a 4X grand strategy game, it allows players to guide a space civilization from early exploration to galactic dominance. The sandbox nature enables diverse sci-fi narratives, from pacifist federations to fanatical purifiers, exploring the long-term societal impacts of interstellar expansion.

This procedural generation masterpiece allows players to explore an infinite universe of planets, creatures, and ancient technology. It focuses on solitary exploration, base building, and trading, presenting a serene yet mysterious sci-fi landscape that encourages curiosity and discovery.

Set in a near-future connected world, this series explores the dangers of pervasive surveillance and hacking culture. It highlights the social impact of technology on privacy and autonomy, featuring protagonists who use digital tools to disrupt corporate and governmental control.