Jupiter has long been a setting for sci-fi adventures. From Isaac Asimov’s early story “The Callistan Menace” to Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the gas giant and its moons have always been mysterious and intriguing to storytellers. While it typically doesn’t feature so often now that more facts have been uncovered about itsuninhabitable environment, the inclusion of the planet as a setting in many of the early pulp sci-fi novels and short stories has somewhat immortalized it in science fiction lore as a frontier of exploration and discovery.
Video games have taken many different approaches to Jupiter, Callisto, and Europa, with some placing penal colonies on top of icy wastelands, while others imagine humanity struggling to survive in hiding beneath deep oceans. The following titles are the best video games to have ventured to our solar system’s oldest planet.
TheZone of the Endersseries isone of Hideo Kojima’s many famous projects, and it can trace its origins back to Jupiter. As the young colonist Leo Stenbuck, players will take control of an orbital frame, which is essentially a giant mech, similar to titles likeTitanfallandArmored Core.
Though perhaps a little dated nowadays, the game can still provide nostalgia and isa true gem of the PS2 era. Several follow-ups were created, includingZone of the Enders: The Fist of MarsandZone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner.
Clever Puzzle Game With A Sci-Fi Twist
The Turing Test
The Turing Test is a challenging first-person puzzle game set on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. You are Ava Turing, an engineer for the International Space Agency (ISA) sent to discover the cause behind the disappearance of the ground crew stationed there.Upon arrival a series of puzzles awaits you – tests which, according to the station’s AI, Tom, can only be solved by a human. These puzzles have apparently been set by the missing ground crew – but why have they created them and what are they hiding from?In an evolving story based on mankind’s instinctual need to explore, protect and survive, you’ll delve deeper into Europa’s ice crusted-core and discover that the lines between man and machine begin to blur. Armed with the Energy Manipulation Tool (EMT), solve puzzles to open the way forward as you learn the true cost of human morality.Harness the ability to transfer power between machines using your ‘Energy Manipulation Tool’ providing a unique twist on gameplay mechanics and puzzle logic.
Set on Jupiter’s moon, Europa,The Turing Testisa sci-fi puzzle gamewith an emphasis on exploration and mystery. As Ava Turing, players will need to solve a series of puzzles in order to trace the disappearance of an International Space Agency crew.
Taking inspiration fromgames likePortal, The Turing Testenables players to manipulate matter, and a guiding AI character is continually present. On top of this, the game features an engaging story with good characters and very high stakes.
The Callisto Protocolis a linear adventure horror game from the creators ofDead Space. Though some fans weren’t too impressed with the clunky combat and slow gameplay, the game has earned praise over time among many of its playersfor its story and terrifying atmosphere.
Having crashed on the moon of Callisto (Jupiter’s second largest moon), Jacob Lee is falsely imprisoned in a maximum security prison that he must escape. Following a zombie-like outbreak, Jacob will have to face off against grotesque enemies as he tries to find a way back to safety.
Nexus: The Jupiter Incidentis aunique sci-fi RTSwith an emphasis on tactics and ship management. Originally born from the failingImperium Galacticaseries,Nexus: The Jupiter Incidentsees players take control of Marcus Cromwell, a space fleet captain, as he investigates mysterious events and activities taking place around Jupiter.
Despite its age, the game still holds up well graphically and was even treated to an HD remaster in 2016. There are some incredible visuals and animations here that still rival some of the cutting-edge games in the genre today, such asHomeworldandStellaris.
The Expanse: A Telltale Seriesis the first real hard sci-fi adventure from the studio behindThe Walking DeadandThe Wolf Among Usgames. While technically more of anadvanced visual novelthan a deeply interactive video game, players will have to make decisions that influence the outcome of a well-written branching narrative.
Based on the Hugo Award-winning series of novels by James S. A. Corey,The Expansetakes place largely in orbit around Jupiter. The uniquely styled and cinematic experience will certainly please any lovers ofstory-rich gamesand is also sure to be of interest to fans of the sci-fi genre.
Barotraumais a survival “disaster management” sim in which players must venture out into the unfathomably hostile abysses of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons,using little more than a submarine and your crew’s wits.
The game can be played in both single-player and co-op and is especially hilarious with friends. It is still a game that can be taken seriously, though, with a lengthy and challenging series of missions forming a campaign and a genuine sense of learning and progression.Barotraumais brutal and unforgiving, especially to beginners, but sticking with it will provide an exceptionally rewarding survival experience.
