Cute Sci-Fi Games

[Razaele]

Hello fellow Playgrounders!

I've been trying to get a lady friend of mine to get into Sci-fi themed video games, and I want to ease her into the genre. Would anyone have any recommendations for Sci-fi games that have cute graphics? Bonus points if its got an isometric view and its easy to learn.:smallsmile:

[Grif]

Um, any particular genre you want in particular? Also, how futuristic you want it to be? Future modern or flat-out Sci-Fi ala Mass Effect?

[Razaele]

Hmm. Genre isn't really that big of an issue, I find that she tends to flock towards things that strike her as adorable. I'd stay away from really complicated games with tons of menus though. Also, I'm sorry, I don't think I was specific enough. Let me try again.

I'm looking for games that are flat-out Sci-Fi. The type that has aliens, space travel, etc. Something aimed towards the female market would be nice, although I'm sure she'll still appreciate anything aimed towards dudes as long as its not too complicated. Aesthetics is what's really important to her, with her being an art major and all. I've seen her put down perfectly good games simply because she did not like the way they looked.

[psilontech]

Ur-Quan Masters

Some of the races and their attitudes could be considered cutesy, I suppose.


OR you could sit her down in front of Alpha Centauri and tell her to play until she repeals the UN Charter with the sole purpose being bringing her Planet-Buster strategic stockpile to bare against Miriam or you won't love her anymore.:smalltongue:

(... That last one was a joke. Don't take it seriously. Most women are insane and will not react well to the latter scenario.)

Edit:

art major

I've seen her put down perfectly good games simply because she did not like the way they looked.
She's clearly a serial-killer in the making. You should distance yourself as soon as possible to limit the possibility of losing one or both of your testicles in a rather violent fashion.

[factotum]

I was going to suggest Bastion, but it's more fantasy than SF, really

even though the titular Bastion is a time machine-stroke-spacecraft.

Cutesy pure SF is harder to find because people who play that stuff tend to prefer more realistic graphics, in my experience. You might be able to find some Japanese anime-style stuff, though...

[Grif]

Hmm. Genre isn't really that big of an issue, I find that she tends to flock towards things that strike her as adorable. I'd stay away from really complicated games with tons of menus though. Also, I'm sorry, I don't think I was specific enough. Let me try again.

I'm looking for games that are flat-out Sci-Fi. The type that has aliens, space travel, etc. Something aimed towards the female market would be nice, although I'm sure she'll still appreciate anything aimed towards dudes as long as its not too complicated. Aesthetics is what's really important to her, with her being an art major and all. I've seen her put down perfectly good games simply because she did not like the way they looked.


Ah, she might be interested in Greed Corp (http://www.mistbound.com/index.php?id=2). Not much in space travels, but it does feature cutesy robots. I hear gameplay is pretty good as well, but well, that look like a secondary concern for you.

[JadedDM]

Maybe Science Girls (http://www.hanakogames.com/science.shtml)? There's a free demo, if you want to try it out. It's cute, it's made by and designed for girls, and it's science fiction. Also, isometric (well, the battles are).

[Razaele]

Nice, I'm checking out the suggestions now. Art style is important, although I'd say that gameplay should also be a primary concern. I just need the art to look good enough that she'll get to the good bits so that she'll get enganged and keep playing.

[Kane]

Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters (http://sc2.sourceforge.net/downloads.php)

Go to that page. Download the appropriate installer. Do not install voices. Do (optional) install the extra music. Play.

Though I do realize someone psilontech beat me to it. Incidentally, I agree with him on all accounts.

[KingofMadCows]

Bob Came in Pieces
Braid
Capsized
Clones
Flock!
Lego Star Wars
Pikmin
Spore

[maratek]

the Latest star oceon for the 360 i thought was pretty cute usual anime style charecters id guess and space ships lasers and i actually enjoyed the combat system simple but if you get it right it looks really good with combos and stuff.

[Yhynens]

Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters (http://sc2.sourceforge.net/downloads.php)

Go to that page. Download the appropriate installer. Do not install voices. Do (optional) install the extra music. Play.

Though I do realize someone psilontech beat me to it. Incidentally, I agree with him on all accounts.

Actually, I rather like the voices. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYyXRkzSys) As I understand it they're a pretty divisive element of the game, I just wanted to say that some people like them.

Anyway, the only things I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned are Star Fox, which has pretty cute characters I guess, and Metroid, but maybe I'm the only one who has a soft spot for metroids and zoomers.

[Zanfib]

Mr Robot perhaps?.

[Grif]

I can't believe I forgot Ratchet & Clank, if you don't mind consoles.

Seriously, Clank is cutesy enough to qualify. :smallbiggrin:

[Comet]

Spiral Knights, maybe?

[Kane]

Actually, I rather like the voices. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYyXRkzSys) As I understand it they're a pretty divisive element of the game, I just wanted to say that some people like them.

Anyway, the only things I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned are Star Fox, which has pretty cute characters I guess, and Metroid, but maybe I'm the only one who has a soft spot for metroids and zoomers.

I admit some people like them (and I like some of them,) but I tend to advise not using them the first time, at least.

[Kane]

Actually, I rather like the voices. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYyXRkzSys) As I understand it they're a pretty divisive element of the game, I just wanted to say that some people like them.

Anyway, the only things I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned are Star Fox, which has pretty cute characters I guess, and Metroid, but maybe I'm the only one who has a soft spot for metroids and zoomers.

I admit some people like them (and I like some of them,) but I tend to advise not using them the first time, at least.

[Gecks]

Not sure if the pictures are nice enough, but Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is certainly cutesy, and fairly quick, easy, and accessible to boot (be sure to check out the demo before buying):

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Digital_Eel/WW/WW_page.html

[Pterocards]

Pikmin
Spore




Definitly these two! They are my two favorite games ever! :D

[nooblade]

A side bonus is that my suggestion is on the humble indie bundle at the moment.

http://www.humblebundle.com/

So you can get it for almost whatever price you're willing to pay. Some of the other bundled games (especially for the 5$ish donation) look like they might be 2D and/or Sci-fi. Cheapness wasn't requested, but why not?

It might not count as cute, but I'd add it for the sake of completeness.

http://spacechemthegame.com/

I love love love this game.

[Grif]

A side bonus is that my suggestion is on the humble indie bundle at the moment.

http://www.humblebundle.com/

So you can get it for almost whatever price you're willing to pay. Some of the other bundled games (especially for the 5$ish donation) look like they might be 2D and/or Sci-fi. Cheapness wasn't requested, but why not?

It might not count as cute, but I'd add it for the sake of completeness.

http://spacechemthegame.com/

I love love love this game.

Ah, yes. SpaceChem. The only game which you will be tempted to punch the wall trying to make Phosphoric Acid. :smallbiggrin:

[late for dinner]

Halo....She might like the grunts...ya kinda wanna hug them until they go all suicidal on you:smallbiggrin:

Beyond Good And Evil....Strong Female lead and fun animal/alien side kicks

Pikman...about as cute sci fi as you can get...before you realize you are forcing smaller creatures to give thei lives murdering other creatures and using slave labor to fix your rocket...how many pikman have you drowned/fed to monsters/burned today??

Kingdom Hearts...not ailiens or anything...but girls like disney

[GungHo]

You can grab Septerra Core off of Good Old Games, though it may look like crap on a modern computer next to a modern game.

[Thane of Fife]

Chibi-Robo and Magical Starsign could both be possibilities, though the first is near future, and the second is probably better considered fantasy with sci-fi elements. But they're definitely both cute.

Toymallet 40 Cents (http://jenniverse.com/toymallet%20main.html) is sort of the miniatures version of what you're looking for. It could be worth at least looking at.


Actually, thinking about it, Advance Wars could maybe qualify, too.