Elves Are Out, Aliens In

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The New York Times has a general article up analyzing the recent shift toward sci-fi video games instead of fantasy. In my opinion, it's just some over-exposure causing a temporary shift. And they kind of miss the fact that there are a lot (at least half a dozen major titles) of post-apocalyptic games coming too.

Instead 2007 has been dominated by perhaps the deepest lineup of science fiction games ever.

It started in August with the sleeper hit BioShock, which can best be described as intelligent sci-fi noir (genetic engineering in 1940s big-band style). Then last month came the pop culture juggernaut Halo 3, the epitome of mainstream action sci-fi (men with huge guns saving the galaxy from an interstellar menace). Between now and Thanksgiving gamers will see gothic sci-fi in Hellgate: London (demons invade post-apocalyptic London); the first major science-fiction online game in years in Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa; and the magnum opus-cum-space opera Mass Effect.

Not floating in space yet? In a mash-up of gaming trends, the most anticipated PC shooter this fall, Crysis, lets players take aim at both aliens and North Koreans. Even many of the fall's top child-friendly console games, like the latest Metroid, the new Ratchet & Clank and the coming Super Mario Galaxy, are set in a fanciful future.

Spotted on RPGWatch.

Elves Are Out, Aliens In

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