Roleplaying games are some of the most popular explorations of the video game medium on the shelves today. Among them, there’s no shortage of sci-fi-focused titles that let players expand their horizons beyond the earthly and material, towards the great unknown of space. But space itself is so broad, it only makes sense there’s a slew of sub-genres to the setting, from gritty hard-sci-fi dramas to the whimsical, adventurous tales of planetary romance.
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Planetary Romance is a sub-genre of science fiction that involves tales of adventure and bravery set on other planets. The sci-fi components are present, but unlike hard-sci-fi, the emphasis here isn’t on the technology, more on the settings this technology creates. Planetary romance titles aren’t interested in the ins and outs of space-faring technology, only in that, through this technology, the potential for a grand tale in an otherworldly environment has unfolded.
7 Elex 2
An Excellent RPG Set On A Strange Planet
- Released
- March 1, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Piranha Bytes
- Engine
- Genome Engine
While not meeting all of Piranha Bytes’ expectations where sales were concerned, the storied Elex duology takes a bold and fascinating take on the science-fantasy series, with a series of science-fiction tropes, such as a surreal, alien planet for its setting, without getting bogged down in hard science minutae.
This is what makes Elex 2 such a great title. Similar to the first game, the science fiction really is just a chrome aesthetic over some classic fantasy ideas, and the overall result is one refreshingly unique and a sure hit among fans of Elder Scrolls or Fallout titles.
6 Star Trader: Frontiers
Courtly Intrigue On A Space-Faring Backdrop
Star Traders: Frontiers
- Released
- November 14, 2017
- Engine
- Cocos2d
People who enjoy the dramatics and schemes of Dune or Game of Thrones will be right at home in this expansive space-faring simulator where the player takes on the role of a freelancer trading between systems and working for nobles among various noble houses.
The technology on display with ships and weapons is secondary to the central focus in this game, which is building a reputation among the noble houses as a merchant, bounty hunter, spy, or just about any profession that suits the players’ needs for fame and fortune.
5 Technomancer
Mars Plays Host To A Grand Adventure
Another “AA” classic in the same vein as Elex, Technomancer nails the atmosphere and ambiance of a dystopic civilization on Mars, where the protagonist’s gift as a fighter skilled with unique electrical powers is essential to the plot.
The the Planetary Romance genre is defined by tales such as that in Technomancer, where a lone protagonist forms a small group of followers and takes on challenges in a landscape unlike anything found on Earth.
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4 Star Ocean: Second Story R
A Unique Synthesis Of Sci-Fi And Fantasy
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Gemdrops, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
A fantastic blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements both in terms of narrative design and the setting, Star Ocean: Second Story R is a fantastic JRPG that uses a singular, mysterious planet with many secrets as its central setting.
All of the elements that make a JRPG worthwhile are featured in this tale of grand fantasy, and there’s also a slew of different endings to achieve based on the choices made in the game, the companions recruited, and which of the two protagonists were selected at the beginning of the game.
3 KOTOR 1
A Grand Romantic Space Opera
Among some of the best Star Wars games of all time is BioWare’s smash hit space opera, Knights of the Old Republic. Debates about whether this title or the sequel are the best of the two still rage even decades after their release, but the grand adventure, taking to the stars with friends, fits the Planetary Romance genre more than the nihilistic exploration of morality in Obsidian’s title.
Star Wars as a franchise could easily fit into the Planetary Romance genre, with very little emphasis put on the machinations of how technology works. This game, keeping in line broadly with the films, represents Star Wars stories at their best.
2 Mass Effect Trilogy
A Fantastic Pulp Sci-Fi Adventure
- Released
- May 14, 2021
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
Riding on the success of Knights of the Old Republic and other RPGs that defined BioWare, Mass Effect brought a unique, vibrant sci-fi world to the gaming scene, and the Legendary Edition is a stunning revitalization of this pulpy sci-fi soap opera.
Every planet and setting has a unique theme and style, with fantastic ambiance, and the unfolding mystery across the three games, alongside Commander Shepard’s role in the story overall, is indicative of the Planetary Romance genre’s “leading role focus”.
1 The Outer Worlds
Obsidian’s Retro-Futuristic Planetary Romance
- Released
- October 25, 2019
In terms of unique, otherworldly settings that focus on the trials and tribulations of a protagonist far from Earth, it’s very hard to find a title that matches The Outer Worlds. With a much anticipated sequel in the works, now is the best time to experience this Planetary Romance in full.
The retro-futuristic style of The Outer Worlds borrows from the time period where Planetary Romances were most popular, and the wit of the narrative, alongside protagonist-specific features like the flaws system, make this one of the greats within the genre.
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