Summary
Originally used to describe the sensationalist stories published in the cheaply-produced magazines of the 1950s, pulp fiction as a term has somewhat lost its critical edge, or at the very least had it dulled, as many works of pulp/exploitative fiction have gone on to stand the test of time;films likeIndiana Jones & The Raiders Of The Lost Arkmay not be described as pulpy pictures, considering their high quality, but they’ve certainly been heavily inspired by pulp fiction nonetheless.
These works are typically associated with exaggerated narratives, formulaic structures, and stereotypical characters with a strong and clear presence. They’re heavy on action and typically light on nuance, resulting in fast-paced adventures that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Video games make a perfect match for the tone of pulp fiction, and there are plenty of sci-fi games that harness the power of a good, fun-first adventure.
Taking clearinspiration fromCowboy Bebopand perhaps the 1996 so-bad-it’s-good film,Space Trucker, the aptly namedStar Truckeris a cargo-hauling simulation game akin to games such asEuro Truck Simulator. The pure escapism brought along by the fantasy ofStar Truckeris facilitated by its pulpy sci-fi world, brought to life through imaginative 3D visuals.
Star Truckersucceeds with its sense of mood, pulpy visuals, and warm atmosphere, offering an experience that’s brimming with Americana charm and retro-futuristic ideas. Fans of simulation-style games and science-fiction alike are sure to have a blast. However, although the game features a pulpy tone and aesthetic,Star Truckerdoes lack the fast-paced action typically associated with pulp fiction.
7Bears In Space
A First-Person Bullet-Hell Adventure Through A Retro-Futuristic World
Steeped in retro-futurism,Bears In Spaceis an inherently pulpy sci-fi adventure with old-school bullet hell FPS gameplay. This high-energy, frenetic action is punctuated by a tongue-in-cheek tone, cartoonish, colorful visuals, and a diverse range of ridiculous weaponry.
Bears In Spacedrags players across all manner of environments, battling against armies of violent robot enemies along the way. The visuals, character designs, and bonkers world make for a strange, humorous, and often unhinged experience that’s drenched in old-school sci-fi pulp.
Destroy All Humansis an action sandbox game that puts players in the role of an alien invading 1950s America. The game features a third-person perspective, a distinct (but welcome) lack of complex narrative threads, a tongue-in-cheek tone, and a colorful, pulpy style.
The 1950s settingand classic alien invasion plot hearkens back to old-school pulp sci-fi films, channeling the parody of flicks such asMars Attacksin equal measure. The expected plot, stereotypical character designs, cartoon visuals, and action-packed gameplay make for a pulpy experience, butDestroy All Humansis elevated by its sandbox nature.
1987’sRoboCop, directed by the distinguished and frequently-celebrated Paul Verhoeven, is a shining example of pulp science-fiction; over-the-top action, a brisk, fast-paced story, and the overwhelming need for the suspension of disbelief.RoboCop: Rogue City, released in 2023, is an immensely faithful adaptation of the world depicted in the original film, putting players into the stomping shoes ofRoboCophimself and unleashing them on Detroit’s criminal underworld.
Fans of the violent, pulpy action of the film will certainly enjoy clattering through the rundown environments, blasting away enemies with the iconic Auto-9. Players looking for the expressive movement and twitchyaction of old-school shooters likeQuake, however, will be sorely disappointed, asRoboCop: Rogue Cityis more concerned with making players feel likeRoboCopthan anything else.
Star Warsis a rich well to draw from when it comes to pulpy science-fiction, with its science-fantasy visuals and fairytale plot.Many games have adapted itto varying success, attempting to tackle the source material from a variety of angles. Games such asStar Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, for example, provide a traditional pulpy adventure in theStar Warsuniverse, while the first-person shooter,Star Wars: Republic Commando,offers a darker take on the franchise.
2005’sStar Wars: Battlefront 2, however, is one of the pulpiestStar Warsgames, with its chaotic action and thematic battlegrounds, offering fans of the iconic films an immersive playground. Furthermore, the classic version of the game still holds a certain nostalgic value for old-school fans.
A dramatic, formulaic sci-fi plot, larger-than-life characters, simple motivations, and plenty of tropes maketheHaloseriesan often predictable experience that truly channels the hallmarks of pulp science-fiction, for better or worse. However,Halois also replete with memorable moments; though stereotypical, many of its characters are both colorful and, in some cases, simply unforgettable, thanks in large part to a talented cast of voice actors.
It’s hard to talk aboutHalowithout mentioning its original soundtrack, andHalo 3’smusic is packed with memorable motifs and emotional stings that elevate the pulpy action. Closing out the original trilogy on a satisfying and appropriately dramatic note,Halo 3is arguably among the bestHalogames, and one of the pulpiest, though many fans may also advocate forHalo 2.
Packed with satire and brimming with pulpy sci-fi goodness,The Outer Worldsis a first-person RPG kept afloat by its absolute sense of whimsy. It’s clear that co-creators Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky directedThe Outer Worldswith love and care, and fans of sci-fi westerns such asFireflyare sure to enjoy adventuring through its variety of imaginative locations.
Fans of first-person RPGs such asFallout: New Vegasare more than likely to appreciate the gameplay structure ofThe Outer Worlds, with its immersive environments, diverse ensemble of NPCs and companions, and meaningful character progression. All in all, the atmosphere, tongue-in-cheek tone, and colorful art direction makeThe Outer Worldsa unique and often memorable experience that’s perfect for pulp science-fiction fans.
Fans of the old-school, 3D platforming adventures of the PlayStation 2 are more than likely to enjoy the space-faring return ofRatchet And ClankwithRatchet And Clank: Rift Apart. This latest entry in the iconic sci-fi franchise is as pulpy as ever with its interdimensional high jinks, formulaic narrative, and action-packed gameplay.
As is common with theRatchet And Clankseries,Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart’sgreatest strength is arguably its diverse arsenal of quirky weapons, offering an immense wealth of choice when it comes to combat. The hammy performances of its cliched villains, the exaggerated tone, light comedy, and plot-driven sci-fi action makes for a tremendously pulpy experience that’s entirely undemanding and replete with memorable moments.
