The sci-fi subgenre, much likes fantasy, lends itself especially well to the RPG gaming genre, with the likes of Bethesda's Starfield set to continue that sentiment next year. It invites a similar level of imagination to its fantastical counterpart, and even if it's not quite the first thing some players might think of when they hear the term "RPG," games like this make up some of the best in the genre.

Blending it with other subgenres helps its creative versatility, whether it's cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic. BioWare's Mass Effect trilogy is perhaps the shining example, but Bethesda's own Fallout series has also proven to be a triple-A juggernaut in RPG gaming.

10 Final Fantasy VIII (PlayStation - 90)

Final Fantasy VIII simultaneously became known as one of the series' most divisive entries and one of the most critically acclaimed Final Fantasy games. Once again using a more modern sci-fi setting, FFVIII follows the brooding mercenary protagonist Squall Leonhart as he and his friends are eventually roped into a conflict concerning a nearly all-powerful sorceress who's become the authoritarian leader of a military state.

The divisiveness stemmed from its convoluted-to-a-fault gameplay mechanics surrounding summons and leveling up, but was more appreciated as compelling when mastering those systems. Likewise, its story has been regarded as one of the franchise's most emotionally rewarding.

9 NieR:Automata (PlayStation 4 - 91)

For game designer Yoko Taro, NieR:Automata was an acclaimed turning point in the creator's unique JRPGs. Taking place in a dystopian sci-fi future, Automata follows a proxy war between alien-crafted machines and human-crafted androids on a desolate Earth. It begins with androids 2B and her partner 9S, with the story switching protagonists along the way.

The game retains developer PlatinumGames' vintage brand of exhilarating action-focused combat, as well as some minigames that switch up genres. NieR:Automata was well-received for its engrossing and heart-wrenching story exploring philosophical themes, such as the root of the desire to kill and the cycle of war.

8 Mass Effect (Xbox 360 - 91)

Before EA and BioWare's fall from grace in the eyes of many fans, Mass Effect was a part of the publisher and developer's gaming heyday. Taking a page from influential sci-fi series like Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, the Mass Effect series become a modern pillar of the RPG genre as well as some of the best sci-fi in gaming.

Playing the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, the story sees him and his team take on the mission of stopping a widespread galactic invasion by the Reapers. An unforgettable game of its time (thankfully facelifted with the recent remastered collection), Mass Effect was lauded for its player-choice-driven storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and blend of third-person shooting with role-playing gameplay.

7 Final Fantasy VI (Nintendo Game Boy - 92)

Asking the Final Fantasy fanbase the best mainline game is quite a loaded question, but aside from hearing the likes of VII or IX, Final Fantasy VI is another popular answer. The game was hailed as one of the greatest RPGs in general of its generation, from its gameplay to its riveting story. Steering away from traditional high fantasy, VI inventively meshed the former with sci-fi steampunk elements for its setting.

Taking inspiration from the Second Industrial Revolution, the plot follows a revolving cast of heroes as they band together to overthrow a tyrannical military government profiting off the horrors of war. On top of its gripping and layered turn-based combat and customization, Final Fantasy VI was also acclaimed for its thematically innovative and challenging storytelling.

6 Chrono Trigger (Nintendo DS - 92)

Often cited as one of the best games from the Super Nintendo console generation, Chrono Trigger was an emphatic milestone game in the RPG genre. It was also part of Square Enix's golden age of games, with the game blending a variety of genres for its premise and the iconic art direction of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama.

Chrono Trigger sweeps the player through eras of prehistory, middle-age fantasy, and dystopian sci-fi in a memorable time-traveling tale of heroes trying to prevent the end of the world. The game was widely praised for its simple, yet effective turn-based combat to make it easily approachable to newcomers and genre veterans alike, as well as its sprawling story.

5 Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation - 92)

While the new remake by Square Enix is one of the best modern JRPGs to play, the PlayStation original still stands as a legendary classic of both the subgenre and gaming. At the time, this was the second consecutive Final Fantasy title to embrace sci-fi as its primary setting over more traditional high fantasy.

Final Fantasy VII takes place in a grimy cyberpunk-themed world as the player follows the amnesiac mercenary Cloud and his eventual group of friends as they take on the grander quest of stopping Sephiroth from inciting a world-ending calamity. Its gameplay and visuals are admittedly dated, but the turn-based ATB combat system remains engaging.

4 Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360 - 93)

Though the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3 soured many fans, the game -- and trilogy -- overall has been received as a crowning achievement of the genre. The story of Mass Effect 3 concludes Shepard's character arc, as well as the overarching story of the Reaper Invasion spreading across the Milky Way.

It was nonetheless critically acclaimed on the whole, with reception citing its improved visuals, consistently interesting characters, and the plot's lasting emotional impact. Combat gameplay was also warmly received as building off its predecessors, as well as its impressive multiplayer player-versus-environment mode (PvE).

3 Fallout 3 (Xbox 360 - 93)

The Fallout series is a modern classic in the sci-fi RPG space, taking a post-apocalyptic spin on its setting. Fallout 3 was a massive change on a structural level from its predecessors, expanding onto an open-world action RPG canvas. It was revolutionary for its time, as it was praised for its open-ended gameplay loop, sense of freedom, and depth in character customization.

Fallout 3 also cemented the iconic "V.A.T.S." combat system, allowing players to pause time and target specific body parts to hit on enemies for efficient damage. The game is set in a ruined Washington D.C., as the world has descended into lawless ruin as a result of world governments spiraling out of control into nuclear warfare.

2 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (Xbox - 94)

Regarded as one of the most beloved Star Wars games since LucasArts ventured into the video game medium, Knights of the Old Republic became a gold standard in role-playing during the early 2000s. It was also one of the games published by EA and developed by BioWare at the height of their respective powers.

Taking place thousands of years before the Skywalker Saga, the player takes on the role of a customizable amnesiac Jedi questing with a group of allies to defeat Darth Malak's Sith Empire in the latest intergalactic war. Essentially a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired CRPG with a Star Wars theme, Knights of the Old Republic's plaudits applauded it for being some of the greatest storytelling in the franchise overall, its substantive content, customization mechanics, and player-drive narrative.

1 Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360 - 96)

To many fans, Mass Effect 2 was seen as the peak of the original trilogy. The story, this time, centered around Commander Shepard, tasked with gaining a new team to go on a suicide mission to protect the galaxy from an insectoid alien race known as the Collectors.

Once again, the game's highest marks went toward its thoroughly engaging storytelling and the unique, diverse cast of characters that made it so investing. The Mass Effect series, in general, thrived on its cinematic presentation. And though the game leaned a bit harder into its third-person shooting gameplay than its progenitor's role-playing, it was still well-received for its solid balance of both.

NEXT: Starfield & 8 Other Upcoming Western RPGs, Ranked