There are lots ofgames set in the 2040s, probably because it’s easier to visualize compared to the later decades or century. That time period also offers a good balance of contemporary technology and futuristic hardware, enough to make certain stories look hauntingly plausible. That’s what some games set in the 2040s usually aim for in terms of atmosphere.
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Some, however, aren’t content with being a prophetic view into the near future; these sci-fi games simply want to tell a good story based on an alternate timeline, unconstrained by the limits of what’s possible. Regardless of the case, these video games set in the 2040s might just begood enough to be remembereduntil that actual decade befalls us.
8Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4
Well, aCall of Dutygameis bound to be here. There are so many of them that they likely have games set on time periods for every decade of the modern era from the 1940s, and even spanning all the way to the future. InBlack Ops 4’s case, it’s set around the 2040s, and unsurprisingly, the game is centered around a group of elite specialists.
Story-wise, it’s what one could expect from aCall of Dutygame. A six-hour movie that features some impressive and plausible military tech along with a story with its pick of favorite protagonists. The difference here is that it’s told through bits and chunks of narrative in a collision between multipleCall of Dutymythos, which makes it more confusing compared to others.
7Battlefield 2042
Despite the controversy surrounding its unfavorable state during release,Battlefield 2042still gets plus points for the attempt. It’s one of the fewBattlefieldgames that delved head-first into the future to put a new spin on itstimeless multiplayer formula.
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The game is familiar enough for those craving contemporary action while still offering some futuristic arcade mil-shooter toys that some armies are likely attempting to employ right now. To add to the chaos,Battlefield 2042also makes its fictional timeline relevant by including natural disasters such as tornadoes and other calamities.
6BRINK
Speaking ofmultiplayer shooters,BRINKis one of the tried and tested ones dating back to 2011. It’s still active today, though the mechanics are notably outdated, and so are the graphics. In any case,BRINKis set during the middle of the 21st century when the world was more or less ruined.
In an effort to save humanity, floating man-made cities called Arks became the norm and standard for safe living. But corralling different groups of people in such a small space has proven to be tumultuous, and that’s where the strife inBRINKcomes from as players pick their faction and lead their character to an all-out civil war.
5Nier Gestalt
Nieris a JRPG that prides itself on telling some convoluted but thought-provoking stories about mankind and existentialism. In the originalNier Gestalt, the game starts in 2049 in a rather odd alternate and fictional timeline when monsters and modernly dressed humanoids exist.
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Players take on the role of a middle-aged man whose name is up to the players as they explore and find the meaning of existence in a ruined world. The game will eventually fast-forward to around 1,300 years late but still puts relevance in the events of its 2049 prologue as not much has seemed to change.
4Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
All these action games might be taxing on the fingers, so here’s a little something that offers a more relaxed view of all the chaos.Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Warswas one of the last RTS from theCommand & Conquerbrand and it served as a proper retelling of the Tiberium saga.
It continues the story of an alternate Earth that became infested with a space element called Tiberium. Turns out this glowing rock is also a powerful resource and in turn, has become the object of constant war between the GDI and the religious fanatics of Nod. ButTiberium Warsshakes things up by adding a third faction into the fray called the Scrin, an alien race in this already bloody global war.
3Crysis 3
Crysis 3goes back to New York like its predecessor, but this time around, it explores a world in shambles after aliens invaded Earth. New York thus became a sunken area full of high-tech militant groups vying for control. Players step into the shoes of Prophet, which is more of a title given to an exoskeleton wearer than a single character.
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As Prophet, players will zip and zoom around the jungle of New York killing aliens and human soldiers with their bow. The story is more or less similar to the ones inCall of Dutygames both in length and presentation; the real star here is the aforementioned exoskeleton, the Nanosuit, since it turns its wearer into superheroes.
2Defiance
LikeBattlefield,Defianceis an online multiplayer shooter but the scale is bigger here since it takes place in an MMO-sized persistent world set during the year 2046. That was 33 years after some aliens invaded Earth. A long period of truce did ensue, but as always, humans don’t like to share resources and space with odd-looking beings.
The aliens, called Votans, unleashed a powerful terraforming device that altered Earth and plunged the planet into a semi-apocalypse. Players will enter the game with the current state of the world in an uneasy peace as they prepare to mount offensives as human beings once again.
1Wipeout 2048
Wipeoutgames have always been about futuristic racing andWipeout 2048being set in an earlier timeline compared to its predecessors didn’t affect the adrenaline rush too much. Players still get to pilot anti-gravity race cars in a high-octane and dizzying race.
the technology and the sights here are a lot less high-tech compared to the more futuristic titles, but the gist of these races is still there. Sadly, this game is only available on the PS Vita which is a relic these days, though an emulator couldfix that exclusivity issue.
