Sci-fi games

In most collectible card games, the hero, or summoner (or whatever you want to call it), sits out of sight, signified by a portrait, but in Duelyst, your general starts on the battlefield and gives the game its namesake. Battles in Duelyst are just that, duels. It’s your general pitted against your enemy’s general, and all the cards you play are in service of that.

➔ Main points:

• fun implementation of generals
• lots of strategic options
• grid-based movement and positioning
• great pixel art

Entropia Universe is a free to play, open world sandbox MMORPG that is unlike most games in the genre. Entropia Universe utilizes a simulation-driven gameplay where players are encouraged to explore their new home world planets and progress their characters through activities such as hunting, mining and crafting. There are no traditional quests and a main story, but players can instead take part in a real cash economy, and invest real money within the game to make profit over time.

From a graphic's standpoint, Entropia Universe does look decent for a game made in 2003, and has had it's engine upgraded. However, players who've played modern MMORPG's may find the graphics to be below par, and may struggle with the complicated UI system. Overall, Entropia Universe offers an alternative way to have fun in an MMORPG that doesn't rely on traditional theme park mechanics.

➔ Main points:

• Deep and immersive open world sandbox MMORPG
• Players can invest real money and make profit returns
• Upgraded graphics and game engine to modernize the game
• Skills and character progression unlike any other MMORPG

Eternal Return is a free to play multiplayer MOBA and battle royale hybrid game that's on the Steam platform. With its huge character roster of 59 unique personalities, players select which anime hero they'll use in matches that pits hem against 17 other players in solo, or can opt to team up to be the last ones standing in visually pleasing maps. The gameplay will feel familiar and fun due to popular mechanics, and earning currency to unlock more anime characters will ensure that you always have goals to grind towards. Matchmaking queues are long can somewhat unbalanced in competitive modes, but that doesn't detract away from the fun moments in game, even if you're playing against AI bots.

➔ Main points:

• A rare MOBA and battle royale combination that works
• Free to play with play to earn progression
• Huge roster of characters to unlock
• Seasonal events and battle passes available

Hazard Ops is a third person shooter MMO developed by Yingpei Games and released by Infernum. A spiritual successor to the highly popular Mercenary Ops (and actually called Mercenary Ops 2 in some markets), it is a well-made title chock full of content and variety for the shooter fan.

Choose between PvP or PvE to play in teams either against other players or against waves of mercenaries, zombies and pretty much any enemy imaginable – Hazard Ops has them all. Battles themselves are fast paced and thrilling, arenas where every second and move count. The maps are truly impressive and can be combined with the range of different play modes expected from any decent shooter nowadays.

While the weapons and gear you get by playing the game will get you through the beginner stages and PvE, those looking to compete seriously in the PvP ranks will likely have to pay real money.

Heavy Metal Machines is a 4v4 vehicle PVP game that's set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players compete in team matches using one of three car classes, and the objective is for one car on either team to pick up and deliver the bomb to destroy the opponent's base, while the other cars get to work on stopping each other. Matches are fast-paced and incredibly fun to play thanks to the game's one of a kind mechanics.

There are two game modes currently which is a little low, but more will be added in time. The game also uses progression mechanics for players to earn currency to gain ranks and purchase better performing cars from the in-game store without spending real money. When it comes to presentation, Heavy Metal Machines scores very high points for graphics, setting and atmosphere. Overall, it's a fantastic free to play MMO that is likely to keep players hooked for a long time to come.

➔ Main points:

• Unique concept that's very original and fun to play
• Great visuals and audio for a free to play game
• Wide selection of vehicles
• Unobtrusive cash shop without pay to win elements

Developed by Wiple Games and published by Aeria Games, Ironsight is finally available to the public after a year and a half in beta.

Ironsight is unique in that it's not unique. It draws comparisons to Call of Duty both in aesthetics and gameplay because it does look and sound like a Call of Duty game. And believe it or not, that's a good thing.

The Call of Duty franchise has lost its' way, but once upon a time was a great series. A few years ago, CoD was great fun, and Ironsight shows why. It plays like an early 2010s CoD game.

It has plenty of weapons and drones for you to have fun with, and the action is fast-paced. You can log on a place a few quick games before school or you can play a couple dozen games over the course of a few hours.

The microtransactions in this game are very tame, and it's more than possible to play this game and never spend a dime yet still be competitive. Ironsight is easily one of the most balanced F2P MMOs that I have played in a while and sets a stellar example for F2P MMOs.

➔ Main points:

• Downloadable F2P MMOFPS with PVE but thrives on its' PVP content
• More than 100 weapons at your disposal
• Simple gunplay, fast-paced action
• The fairest microtransactions in an F2P MMO by far
• Server instability issues at times;
• Somewhat low player base
• Call of Duty fans, this game is tailor-made for you

This strategic browser game developed by XS Software, allows you to embark on a journey through the confines of space all through your internet browser. The game lets you choose between one of three races each with their own history and specifications Other than their psychical aspects, they also differ by their abilities and characteristics.

Once your race is chosen the games takes you to your home base which is divided into three important areas: the mineral zone is your recourse hub, the industrial zone is mainly your economic headquarters and the military zone is your armory. The amount of buildings and vessels to construct is rather large leading to a very personal base. The war strategies you could implement are countless.

Graphically speaking, Nemexia is nothing special. The openness of outer space is a scene with plenty of charisma and it's a shame that this game chose to cluster and cover it with the interface.

Nemexia is an imposing competitor to other browser strategy games; it's well thought out, finds a good balance between difficult and challenging and if it weren't for the occasional letdown here and there it very well could be a masterpiece of its genre.

Developed and published by Gameforge back in 2000, OGame is a web browser and text-based sci-fi war simulator and MMO that many consider to be the "lite" version of EVE Online.

With no visual animations and sounds, the game functions using only texts and graphics. At the beginning, players are thrown into the game and will own a single planet, and they will have to master the concept of resource management and empire building in order to progress and become a force in the galaxy. The game's learning curve is steep but there are plenty of tutorials and guides within and outside the game to assist players.

The main objective of OGame is to be the most dominant emperor in the galaxy with a strong space empire spanning multiple planets and a large armada of ships as an army. The game features exciting PVP with other real players and they have the option to form alliances with a group of players to strategically co-ordinate raids and defenses.

For a veteran browser game, OGame is still going strong as the community is still large and the game is regularly updated with more content expansions being released. There is a cash shop to buy premium currency but there isn't a dire need to get them.

Overall, OGame is a simple and strategic game that can offer space war fans with weeks of enjoyment, especially with friends.

➔ Main points:

• Text-based browser space MMORPG
• Addictive resource management
• Strategic empire building
• Exciting real time PVP warfare
• Form alliances to rule the galaxy together

In the shoes of a member of one of three factions on the planet Auraxis, your mission is simply to conquer as much territory as possible and bring your team one step closer to total domination. The game places a strong emphasis on teamwork, with tactics designed to encourage furious suicide charges in the middle of battle.

The game is essentially devoid of a strong narrative component and prefers to rely entirely on the gameplay, which is fine because the latter is incredibly enjoyable, challenging and well designed.

Graphically, the game is beautiful, staging its battles in the most diverse, well-realised environments. Constant updates bring more content and welcome variations to an already excellent game.

Overall, PlanetSide 2 is the game fans of the first episode have been waiting for, and more.

Quake Champions is a free to play FPS game that continues the Quake franchises' long history of excellent fast-action team matches and gameplay. The game has over a dozen Champions to play as and each comes with unique weapons and abilities that are customizable the more you play. Progression comes fairly for simply playing the game, and players can unlock more content like cosmetics and additional match modes the higher their rank.

Presentation is fantastic and so is the gameplay, as that familiar power up utilization in matches combined with the frenzied swapping of weapons and quick movement offers some addictive gameplay. The cash shop uses currency awarded from simply playing the game and allows you to purchase cosmetics and there is no pay to win.

➔ Main points:

• Buttery smooth FPS shooter featuring fast-action gameplay
• Plenty of progression systems for ranks and Champions
• Free to play with cash shop not being pay to win
• Good size Champion roster with high replay value
• Multiple data centers to pick from based on ping