Ranking sci-fi games

Playing Warframe is as close to being a ninja as many of us will get. Set in a sci-fi universe full of insane alien enemies, you'll have to count on your powerful exo-skeleton to survive.

The gameplay is an interesting mix of classic third person shooter and action, with some undoubtedly enjoyable RPG-like features. You can play co-op with friends or take on one of the many available missions solo.

Graphics are beautiful and due to the game’s proprietary engine, you won’t need a beefy rig to run it. Updates are released regularly so even more fun is to come.

Warframe is a great free-to-play title with a hectic pace and rewarding weapons. It has a plethora of progression options to keep you engaged. Most of all, though, it's a blast to play. Moment to moment gameplay is intense, face paced, and visceral.

➔ Main points:

• 2013 Cooperative third person shooter (MMOTPS).
• Incredible, adrenalinic combat both in solo and co-op PvE.
• Inspired art direction and triple-A quality graphics, with affordable minimum requirements.
• RPG elements and original (at least for a shooter) progression options.

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

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a recently released free to play MMORPG developed by Bioware and published by EA and LucasArts.

On one hand, its RPG aspects are excellent but on the other, its MMO qualities aren't so good. The game's creators definitely opted for the pay-to-win model with this one. The cash shop is graciously supplied and gives too large of an advantage compared to the in game stores.

Off the bat, the game had tons of potential for enjoyment. Its Star Wars licensed storyline and the opportunity to make your own customizable Jedi doppelganger had Star Wars fans hooked since their announcement.

Taking all that into account as well as its excellent graphical presentation this game is a worthy detour for any Star Wars fan looking to immerse themselves in an online community of Star Wars fandom.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play MMORPG based on the universe of Star Wars.
• Great storyline and convincing atmosphere - the fans of the saga won't be disappointed.
• Create and customize your own lightsaber!
• Questionable free to play model and pretty strong limitations for non-paying players.

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.

Andromeda5 is a fully 3D MMO browser game recently released by XS software. The game allows you to travel through the depths of the universe and explore different galaxies. The storyline progresses through main quests which even if not very exciting still make it possible to maintain a good gameplay flow and prevent one from getting overly bored.

In short, the game is a standard free MMO that has dozens of missions (although not very different from each other) which usually involve collecting such and such item or resources.

Graphically, the game is rather pleasant , thanks to the integration of the Unity graphics engine. The ambiance and feel of space in the game is done well, completely in the 3 dimensions. All in a single browser window. Andromeda5 is a good game, but due to some of its defects, it doesn't reach its full potential .

Beyond The Void is a free to play 1v1 MOBA that infuses RTS mechanics for a solid, fun and addictive gameplay. Matches are all about destroying the enemy's Mothership, while ensuring yours survives to upgrade, build and gather resources on an excellent evolving map that orbits around the sun.

The graphics are very attractive and the game run smoothly, but could use a better new player tutorial as the learning curve is high. The game also uses Ethereum blockchain to manage the in-game economy, allowing players to obtain cash shop cosmetics to be freely sold or traded with other players using the blockchain which creates a non pay to win environment.

➔ Main points:

• 1v1 free to play MOBA with RTS elements
• High replay value due to map placements constantly moving
• No pay to win cash store due to blockchain technology
• Excellent graphics and aesthetics

Atlas Reactor by Trion Worlds is a refreshing turn-based tactical team PVP game that pits two teams of four players against each other. The game's unique gameplay is its selling point, proving that MOBA isn't the only option when it comes to competitive group play.

The game boasts well designed and balanced heroes called Freelancers, and their ability to influence games is largely down to the skill of the player, the strategy of the team and how well they communicate as a group, rather than the strength of the Freelancer.

Overall, Atlas Reactor is a very fun game to play and offers hours of strategic fun for both hardcore and casuals. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, and considering that it's free to play, it will keep gamers coming back for a long time to come.

➔ Main points:

• Refreshing turn-based tactical team PVP that challenges traditional MOBAs
• 16 Freelancers to choose from that are unique and balanced
• Requires team strategy and communication over individual skill
• Great graphics that doesn't require high-spec computers to play
• Small download size

Desert Operations is a highly realistic military themed strategy game that is free to play and has a modern day setting. The gameplay revolves around familiar strategy mechanics such as building, researching, resource management and real time-based PvP warfare. The game worlds are populated and advancing your nation is a fun challenge as players navigate through mechanics like a dynamic weather system that could change the outcome of battles. In addition to that, joining social Alliances will be crucial for the late game, but there are there things to do like hunting Achievements which is rare for games of this genre.

Other aspects of Desert Operations aren't the best such as graphics and aesthetics, but that won't matter too much if you're used to browser-based strategy games. While Desert Operations is easy to jump into, it does have a high learning curve for non-military enthusiasts and there is a very slow rate of progression which encourages you to spend real money on Diamonds to progress things like building or recruiting faster.

➔ Main points:

• Modern day setting with familiar strategy mechanics
• Realistic depiction of military units, buildings and tech to reflect today's era
• Active player-base thanks to more than 6 worlds to play on
• Short and succinct tutorial to get new players up to speed and playing in less than 5 minutes

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