20 Tired Science-Fiction Tropes (That Still Have Life In Them)

We’ve engers?) but also by brain-melting ideas that, like on a time loop (wink wink), return again and again even in the best examples of contemporary sci-fi.

Now, the notion of cliché yet still awesome tropes in sci-fi is not new. In fact, we’ve devoted attention to tired tropes still full of life in the context of horror, like the adorkably thorough site that we are. In this Pictofact, then, we bring a new batch of strictly sci-fi tropes that we think still have a lot going for them – if properly done, that is. No lifeless tropes in what follows. These are the ones that have still managed to wow us in recent and contemporary science fiction. They are no substitutes for a good concept, of course, but they can contribute to good concepts becoming next level sci-fi. Also, yes, we apologize for using the word “adorkably,” sure, whatever. On with the list!