Fantasy vs Sci-Fi

[Tonberry]

Speaking of the general settings.
Which one are you drawn to the most? Why is it that?

Or do you prefer something in between, or something different entirely?

For me, I will always be more drawn to fantasy in general, and have a much easier chance to check something new out if it’s a fantasy thing compared to if it’s a sci-fi thing.

(This isn’t meant to be a thread where we fight over which one is better, because it’s subjective, I’m just curious to see what people think!)

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

I prefer fantasy, though I enjoy both. I'm a big fan of the two intersected however, magic and fantasy in a Sci-Fi world.

 

[fake-kun]

I mean, do I have to spell it out?

Obviously, robots are way cooler than wizards.

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

I prefer sci-fi, but most JRPG's are fantasy-themed ?

 

[LiberoVulpesLiberoVulpes's icon]

I prefer Sci-fi, mostly cause of the weapons and equipment (mechs), i also quite dislike magic.

 

[DunkeyKong]

Sci-fi since I like Metroid (or Samus)

 

[MasterEn]

I mean, do I have to spell it out?

Obviously, robots are way cooler than wizards.

what about a robot wizard?

 

[Glimbo]

I like both but more intrigued by sci-fi. It's interesting seeing different takes on possible future technology.

 

[fake-kun]

what about a robot wizard?

No.

 

[MasterEn]

No.

what if bass was a wizard?

 

[fake-kun]

what if bass was a wizard?

Bass is perfect just the way he is.

 

[Enian]

Depends. For games, sci-fi is really cool and underused. Like Jankusanagi said, most JRPGs and RPGs in general are fantasy, It is easier to make a progression/leveling system with melee combat than with more shooter-esque gameplay. Sci-fi worlds are also conceptually harder than some generic fantasy theme, à la Tolkin. You need to have pseudo scientific explanations for everything, instead of just "magic" and the scope is normally larger.

Which is also why I don't read a lot of sci-fi books. I tried to get into Perry Rhodan for example and it was just too much information. One sentence of story relevant stuff meant 10 sentences of technical jargon about FTL-engines, often times a lot more. Not my cup of tea.

Movies are, again, different. The field of view can be much more limited and condensed, since: "One picture says more than a thousand words.". You can explain how a space ship works with one image, but not one sentence. And movies are expected to have a lot less exposition than literary works anyways, making the lack of it less noticeable.

What I personally have really enjoyed multiple times now, is a mix of fantasy and sci-fi. ELEX for example, Brandon Sanderson's Defiant series or the Warhammer 40K universe. Such a mix allows for a more fantastical story, without sacrificing on the sci-fi look, outer space or aliens. It isn't hold back by the seriousness of classical science fiction, but still holds a lot of its charm.

 

[beefbowl]

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Arthur C. Clarke

Science fiction in itself always borders on fantasy, take a look at H.G. Wells' or other early sci-fi books. Books like Dune, Book of the New Sun, Ursula K. Le Guin's works blur the lines between the two genres. I like sci-fi more on this blurry side.
Also high fantasy settings are just plain boring.

 

[MasterEn]

Bass is perfect just the way he is.

but he could be even more perfect.

 

[fake-kun]

but he could be even more perfect.

Unless your name is Hideki Ishikawa or Kouji Izuki, he couldn't.

 

[tenkai star]

Man I’ve been sitting on this topic for like 15 minutes. It’s so hard for me to decide. I suppose I have to give the edge to fantasy since suikoden is my favorite series, but I couldn’t live without xenogears, mass effect, SRW etc.

I can’t bring myself to pick one ?

 

[MasterEn]

Unless your name is Hideki Ishikawa or Kouji Izuki, he couldn't.

i feel like you issued me a challenge.

 

[fake-kun]

i feel like you issued me a challenge.

A challenge to change your name?

 

[MasterEn]

A challenge to change your name?

no, a challenge to draw a new form for bass.

 

[fake-kun]

no, a challenge to draw a new form for bass.

I'd like to see you try : )

 

[MasterEn]

I'd like to see you try : )

i already have a bass drawing that i'm working on, i'll add this to my line up.

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

 

[AxeHammer]

Science-fantasy of course.

 

[TropicalFreeze3499]

Why not both?

 

[jiyuuboyetsvi]

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Arthur C. Clarke

Science fiction in itself always borders on fantasy, take a look at H.G. Wells' or other early sci-fi books. Books like Dune, Book of the New Sun, Ursula K. Le Guin's works blur the lines between the two genres. I like sci-fi more on this blurry side.
Also high fantasy settings are just plain boring.

I need to go back and finish God Emperor of Dune. It was so cool, but I was totally burnt out from bingeing Dune to Children of Dune in like a week.