Military sci-fi - what infantry design do you like best?

[Alienman]

Not doing a poll, just curious what people prefer when it comes to futuristic infantry aesthetically (in their games, I should add).

The bulky kind. The full body armor with helmet and hostile atmospheric protection. Probably the most common in modern media. Can look cool, when they are not too bulky!

The “retro futuristic” soldier. Usually minimal armor, mostly cloth and linen. Very WW1 & 2 in style.

The gritty, realistic “vietnam style” armor. Usually just normal day armor (at the time of creation), with small sci-fi touches. Often a bit jagged/scrappy with an unspecified “80-90s flair”.

I often categorize after these three. But if you got something else, go ahead! So, what do you prefer?

 

[octavius]

I like the WH 40K armour for the lulz. It gives me a good laugh when seeing the square jawed heroes's bodies protected by ten inches of kevlar and titanium, and their little pinheads being totally unprotected. Maybe the future Geneva Convention forbids head shots or something.

 

[Alienman]

I'm surprised that their armor doesn't seem to protect much bullet-wise. What is the point of these bulky armors when they do so little?

I do like 40k normal human infantry. Very WW1 in space.

 

[The Decline]

I like powered exoskeleton soldiers. I guess that would fall under the realistic armor, at least the kind I'm thinking of.

 

[luj1]

 

[DemonKing]

Sci-Fi trooper design peeked in the 70s for me:

Blake's 7 Federation Trooper:

Sandtroopers

Judge Dredd:

 

[mondblut]

The correct answer is Nazis in spaaahce.

 

[Damned Registrations]

Probably somewhere between type 1 and even sleeker outfits. I really like the SC1 ghost for example. Personal shields/thrusters are cool too and can let you get away with silly designs with giant paldrons or boots housing components. Don't much care for outfits that don't have notable scifi features incorporated. Stormtroopers and Boba Fett are a classic design for a reason. Cyborgs and androids are another great option that expands the range of what seems practical. I like the two human males here, along with the purple androids.

 

[Ezekiel]

I hadn't seen all those PSO characters since I was a kid. Remember them so well because the graphics were simple. Less information to keep in my head.

 

[markec]

 

[Gilius Thunderhead]

I liked a lot of Colony Ship's equipment designs, from German trooper to cyberpunk to more futuristic stuff.

 

[Baron Tahn]

40k for both meat shield Militarum lads and the over the top power armour for Astartes.

Was kinda better when it was obvious satire but the designs are still pretty awesome.

Never minded the uniform/stormtrooper aesthetic of the Star Wars Empire either.

 

[Blutwurstritter]

They died for a good cause.

 

[Haba]

I guess I'd say humanoid-sized.

SS's "Panzerklein" are a good analogy. They are an challenge for normal infantry, but not completely insurmountable. Size-wise they can operate inside buildings and move around roughly like normal infantry can. Carry heavier weapon systems, which opens up new opportunities. Heavily armored, but still vulnerable to "normal" weapon systems. Will struggle against APCs and tanks, can be taken down by anti-materiel weapons etc.

Retro-futuristic would be cooler, but nobody is willing to do them right so it is just a pipe dream.

 

[mondblut]

I like the two human males here

He asked for sci fi designs, not gay weeb designs.

 

[lightbane]

Exoskeletons are pretty much sci-fi prototype power armors. Power armors are a good step in the right direction. Depending on their capability, they can be saved for officials and special forces, or mass-produced for cannon fodder.
Full-body cyborgs are the best IMO.

 

[Alienman]

I like powered exoskeleton soldiers

Totally forgot about these. I remember they looked a bit awkward in that Tom Cruise movie, but it's a cool sci-fi concept.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Depends on setting, but for some reason I like Napoleonic or Renaissance in space.

 

[Maxie]

 

[Gilius Thunderhead]

 

[Feyd Rautha]

Yes!

I would say I prefer alternative 3 above.

These are good IMO:

 

[NecroLord]

Aliens Colonial Marines.
40k Imperial Guard.
Judge Dredd uniform.
40k Space Marine Power Armor (with Beakies).

 

[Alienman]

Depends on setting, but for some reason I like Napoleonic or Renaissance in space.

Any examples?

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Depends on setting, but for some reason I like Napoleonic or Renaissance in space.

Any examples?

Vostroyan Firstborns

edit.

Flash Gordon (dudes on right)

 

[NecroLord]

I also really like special forces jungle camo outfits.
These ones are from Line of Sight: Vietnam.
You play as a MACV-SOG operative and his different comrades: