Why are lasers generally associated with being armour piercing in space games

[Spazi]

Lasers are associated with piercing generally, as we can see them passing through, although not cutting, some solid objects effortlessly. Moreover actual laser cutters used on materials they're designed to cut seem to pierce them easily likewise.

Therefore popular culture idea of piercing lasers. It's fun, why not.

Sure lasers of our technology are entirely unsuited for that sort of use but it's not too hard to suspend one's disbelief that lasers of the future (or laser-like successors of the tech) have bypassed these limitations by a long shot