Games

Best Pulp Sci-Fi Games

Published

4 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Christoph Rediske

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Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Pulp fiction works are known for exaggerated narratives, formulaic plots, and fast-paced adventures lacking nuance.
Video games are a perfect match for a pulp fiction tone, with sci-fi games offering fun-first adventures.
Games like Star Trucker, Bears in Space, and Destroy All Humans embody the pulpy aesthetic and offer engaging experiences.

Originally used to describe the sensationalist stories published in the cheaply-produced magazines of the 1950s, pulp fiction as a term has somewhat lost its critical edge, or at the very least had it dulled, as many works of pulp/exploitative fiction have gone on to stand the test of time; films like Indiana Jones & The Raiders Of The Lost Ark may not be described as pulpy pictures, considering their high quality, but they’ve certainly been heavily inspired by pulp fiction nonetheless.

The 10 Best Pulp Visual Novels

With so many visual novels to choose from, finding good ones can sometimes be hard. Here are some of the best pulp games from the niche genre.

These works are typically associated with exaggerated narratives, formulaic structures, and stereotypical characters with a strong and clear presence. They’re heavy on action and typically light on nuance, resulting in fast-paced adventures that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Video games make a perfect match for the tone of pulp fiction, and there are plenty of sci-fi games that harness the power of a good, fun-first adventure.

8 Star Trucker

A Futuristic Truck-Sim Brimming With Americana Charm

Systems

Released: September 3, 2024
Developer(s): Monster and Monster

Taking clear inspiration from Cowboy Bebop and perhaps the 1996 so-bad-it’s-good film, Space Trucker, the aptly named Star Trucker is a cargo-hauling simulation game akin to games such as Euro Truck Simulator. The pure escapism brought along by the fantasy of Star Trucker is facilitated by its pulpy sci-fi world, brought to life through imaginative 3D visuals.

8 Open-World Games With The Best Driving Mechanics

Cruising around an open world can be a lot of fun if the mechanics are pulled off properly.

Star Trucker succeeds with its sense of mood, pulpy visuals, and warm atmosphere, offering an experience that’s brimming with Americana charm and retro-futuristic ideas. Fans of simulation-style games and science-fiction alike are sure to have a blast. However, although the game features a pulpy tone and aesthetic, Star Trucker does lack the fast-paced action typically associated with pulp fiction.

7 Bears In Space

A First-Person Bullet-Hell Adventure Through A Retro-Futuristic World

Platform(s): PC
Released: March 22, 2024
Developer(s): Broadside Games
Genre: FPS

Steeped in retro-futurism, Bears In Space is an inherently pulpy sci-fi adventure with old-school bullet hell FPS gameplay. This high-energy, frenetic action is punctuated by a tongue-in-cheek tone, cartoonish, colorful visuals, and a diverse range of ridiculous weaponry.

Bears In Space drags players across all manner of environments, battling against armies of violent robot enemies along the way. The visuals, character designs, and bonkers world make for a strange, humorous, and often unhinged experience that’s drenched in old-school sci-fi pulp.

6 Destroy All Humans

An Action Adventure That Riffs On 1950s Alien Invasion

Destroy All Humans is an action sandbox game that puts players in the role of an alien invading 1950s America. The game features a third-person perspective, a distinct (but welcome) lack of complex narrative threads, a tongue-in-cheek tone, and a colorful, pulpy style.

The 1950s setting and classic alien invasion plot hearkens back to old-school pulp sci-fi films, channeling the parody of flicks such as Mars Attacks in equal measure. The expected plot, stereotypical character designs, cartoon visuals, and action-packed gameplay make for a pulpy experience, but Destroy All Humans is elevated by its sandbox nature.

5 RoboCop: Rogue City

A Punchy FPS That Stays Faithful To The Pulpy 80s Classic

Released: November 2, 2023

1987’s RoboCop, directed by the distinguished and frequently-celebrated Paul Verhoeven, is a shining example of pulp science-fiction; over-the-top action, a brisk, fast-paced story, and the overwhelming need for the suspension of disbelief. RoboCop: Rogue City, released in 2023, is an immensely faithful adaptation of the world depicted in the original film, putting players into the stomping shoes of RoboCop himself and unleashing them on Detroit’s criminal underworld.

7 Best RoboCop Games, Ranked

The RoboCop franchise has spawned several video game adaptations, with varying degrees of success. Fans should check out these entries.

Fans of the violent, pulpy action of the film will certainly enjoy clattering through the rundown environments, blasting away enemies with the iconic Auto-9. Players looking for the expressive movement and twitchy action of old-school shooters like Quake, however, will be sorely disappointed, as RoboCop: Rogue City is more concerned with making players feel like RoboCop than anything else.

4 Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)

Pulpy Action In The Iconic Science-Fantasy World Of Star Wars

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)

Released: November 1, 2005
Developer(s): Pandemic Studios

Star Wars is a rich well to draw from when it comes to pulpy science-fiction, with its science-fantasy visuals and fairytale plot. Many games have adapted it to varying success, attempting to tackle the source material from a variety of angles. Games such as Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, for example, provide a traditional pulpy adventure in the Star Wars universe, while the first-person shooter, Star Wars: Republic Commando, offers a darker take on the franchise.

2005’s Star Wars: Battlefront 2, however, is one of the pulpiest Star Wars games, with its chaotic action and thematic battlegrounds, offering fans of the iconic films an immersive playground. Furthermore, the classic version of the game still holds a certain nostalgic value for old-school fans.

3 Halo 3

A Cliched But Tremendously Dramatic Military Sci-Fi Adventure

Systems

Released: September 25, 2007

A dramatic, formulaic sci-fi plot, larger-than-life characters, simple motivations, and plenty of tropes make the Halo series an often predictable experience that truly channels the hallmarks of pulp science-fiction, for better or worse. However, Halo is also replete with memorable moments; though stereotypical, many of its characters are both colorful and, in some cases, simply unforgettable, thanks in large part to a talented cast of voice actors.

It’s hard to talk about Halo without mentioning its original soundtrack, and Halo 3‘s music is packed with memorable motifs and emotional stings that elevate the pulpy action. Closing out the original trilogy on a satisfying and appropriately dramatic note, Halo 3 is arguably among the best Halo games, and one of the pulpiest, though many fans may also advocate for Halo 2.

2 The Outer Worlds

Retro-Futurism, Dramatic Action, And Swashbuckling Adventures

Released: October 25, 2019
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Packed with satire and brimming with pulpy sci-fi goodness, The Outer Worlds is a first-person RPG kept afloat by its absolute sense of whimsy. It’s clear that co-creators Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky directed The Outer Worlds with love and care, and fans of sci-fi westerns such as Firefly are sure to enjoy adventuring through its variety of imaginative locations.

Fans of first-person RPGs such as Fallout: New Vegas are more than likely to appreciate the gameplay structure of The Outer Worlds, with its immersive environments, diverse ensemble of NPCs and companions, and meaningful character progression. All in all, the atmosphere, tongue-in-cheek tone, and colorful art direction make The Outer Worlds a unique and often memorable experience that’s perfect for pulp science-fiction fans.

1 Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart

A Pulpy Inter-Dimensional Adventure That’s Full Of Heart

Platformer

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Released: June 11, 2021
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Fans of the old-school, 3D platforming adventures of the PlayStation 2 are more than likely to enjoy the space-faring return of Ratchet And Clank with Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart. This latest entry in the iconic sci-fi franchise is as pulpy as ever with its interdimensional high jinks, formulaic narrative, and action-packed gameplay.

As is common with the Ratchet And Clank series, Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart’s greatest strength is arguably its diverse arsenal of quirky weapons, offering an immense wealth of choice when it comes to combat. The hammy performances of its cliched villains, the exaggerated tone, light comedy, and plot-driven sci-fi action makes for a tremendously pulpy experience that’s entirely undemanding and replete with memorable moments.

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