10 Best High Sci-Fi Universes In Fiction

10. Firefly

You'll hear many sci-fi properties described as a "space western", meaning that they make good use of western movies tropes but place them in the stars as opposed to the harsh land of dysentery and cowboys. But, Firefly goes one step beyond appropriating tropes by creating a world that can truly be defined as the wild west in space.

This cult-classic cancelled-too-soon TV series from Joss Whedon is a fantastic experience thanks to the characters, clever writing and humour, but a major part of the appeal comes from the 'verse itself. The politics of this world are simple, as they act as an extension of our own. You've got the Alliance, who are the big force intending to govern the universe and the ragtag planets that prefer freedom.

There's a dirty grittiness to the show that gives you a completely different vibe to the shiny and high-tech sci-fi that most viewers are used to, and this is particularly highlighted in the lack of aliens. This decision seems absurd in a sci-fi property, but it gives you a great examination of how humanity would invest in the cosmos and how it might be more familiar than you'd think.