For more than four decades, video games have allowed players to journey through the cosmos, command starships, and explore distant worlds. The genre, which traces its roots back to arcade classics, has evolved into a diverse landscape of immersive experiences, from realistic simulations to epic science fiction narratives.
This guide explores some of the most influential and popular space-themed video games available for PC and consoles. It covers a range of genres, including strategy, role-playing, exploration, and survival horror, offering something for every type of space enthusiast.
Key Takeaways
- Space-themed video games have a rich history, beginning with arcade hits like Space Invaders in 1978.
- The genre includes diverse experiences, from grand strategy titles like Stellaris to first-person adventures like Prey and massive online universes like EVE Online.
- Many games focus on realistic physics and exploration, such as Kerbal Space Program and Elite Dangerous, offering educational value alongside entertainment.
- Narrative-driven games like Mass Effect Legendary Edition have had a significant cultural impact, showcasing the storytelling potential of the genre.
The Foundation of a Genre
The concept of battling extraterrestrial threats in a digital space is nearly as old as the video game industry itself. Early titles set the stage for the complex universes players explore today, establishing core mechanics that are still used.
The Arcade Pioneer: Space Invaders
Released in 1978, Space Invaders was a cultural phenomenon. Created by Japanese engineer Tomohiro Nishikado, the game's simple premise of defending Earth from descending rows of aliens captured the public's imagination. Its addictive gameplay loop and iconic pixelated enemies laid the groundwork for countless future titles and proved that video games could transport players to other worlds.
NASA's Role in Space Gaming
Government space agencies have also recognized the power of video games as educational and inspirational tools. NASA, in particular, has been actively involved in the creation and consultation of various interactive projects to promote science and space exploration.
From Education to Entertainment
Through its NASA STEM Engagement initiative, the agency develops and supports games and simulators. Projects like the Moonbase Alpha simulator were created to provide educational experiences. NASA also collaborates with commercial studios, offering real-world data and expertise to enhance realism. Notable partnerships include the "Shared History" add-on for Kerbal Space Program, Angry Birds Space, and the virtual reality project Mars 2030 Experience. This involvement underscores the agency's commitment to using interactive media for inspiration, not commercial profit.
Top-Tier Space Games for Every Player
The modern landscape of space games is vast and varied. The following titles are ranked based on their overall popularity, cultural impact, and long-term significance in the gaming community. This selection includes games for both PC and major console platforms.
17. Homeworld Remastered Collection
This collection, released on February 25, 2015, revives two classic real-time strategy games. Developed by Gearbox Software, it is available on Windows and Mac. The gameplay is unique for its fully three-dimensional battlefields, requiring players to think tactically about vertical space.
The story follows the Kushan people on a journey to find their ancestral home, Hiigara, aboard a massive Mothership. The collection features updated graphics and sound but also includes the original versions for purists.
16. Outer Wilds
Developed by Mobius Digital and released on May 29, 2019, Outer Wilds is an exploration game set in a solar system trapped in a 22-minute time loop. Players must uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization before the sun explodes.
Progression is based entirely on knowledge; information learned in one loop carries over to the next. It is available on most platforms, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
13. FTL: Faster Than Light
Released on September 14, 2012, by Subset Games, FTL is a challenging rogue-like strategy game. Players command a spaceship on a critical mission while being pursued by a rebel fleet. The game features permadeath and a procedurally generated galaxy, ensuring high replayability.
Players must manage ship systems, crew members, and resources while navigating text-based events with difficult choices. It is available for Windows, iOS, Linux, and Mac.
14. The Outer Worlds
From Obsidian Entertainment, the creators of Fallout: New Vegas, this sci-fi RPG was released on October 25, 2019. Set in the corporate-controlled Halcyon colony, players awaken from cryosleep to find themselves in a conspiracy.
The game is known for its dark humor, deep dialogue, and impactful player choices. It is a compelling space adventure available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
13. Stellaris
A grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studio, Stellaris was released on May 9, 2016. Players guide a civilization from its first steps into space to galactic domination. The game involves exploration, diplomacy, warfare, and managing a complex empire.
With deep customization options and a galaxy filled with random events and alien species, no two playthroughs are the same. It is a cornerstone of the 4X strategy genre on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
12. Kerbal Space Program
This space flight simulator, fully released on April 27, 2015, by Squad, lets players design, build, and fly their own spacecraft. Based on realistic orbital mechanics and physics, the game is both educational and entertaining.
Players manage a space program for the Kerbals, a race of small green astronauts. The satisfaction of a successful mission after numerous hilarious failures is a key part of its appeal. It is available on PC and consoles.
11. EVE Online
Launched on May 6, 2003, EVE Online is a massive multiplayer online game set in the persistent universe of New Eden. Developed by CCP Games, it is famous for its player-driven economy, complex political landscape, and large-scale battles involving thousands of players.
The game's reputation for high-stakes corporate espionage and betrayal is well-earned, as losses can be permanent. Players can pursue careers as traders, miners, pirates, or fleet commanders in this sandbox environment.
10. Dead Space Remake
Released on January 27, 2023, by Motive Studio, this title is a complete rebuild of the iconic 2008 survival horror game. Players control engineer Isaac Clarke as he navigates the USG Ishimura, a mining ship infested with grotesque creatures called Necromorphs.
The remake features modern graphics, refined gameplay, and an expanded story while preserving the original's intense atmosphere of dread and isolation. It is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
9. Elite Dangerous
Frontier Developments released this comprehensive space simulator on December 16, 2014. Elite Dangerous provides players with a 1:1 scale, open-world representation of the Milky Way galaxy to explore.
Players start with a small ship and can forge their own path as a trader, bounty hunter, explorer, or pirate. Its emphasis on realism and freedom makes it one of the most immersive space exploration games available.
8. Prey
Developed by Arkane Studios and released on May 5, 2017, Prey is a first-person sci-fi thriller. Set on the Talos I space station, players take on the role of Morgan Yu, who must survive an outbreak of shape-shifting aliens called Typhons.
The game is an immersive sim, meaning problems have multiple solutions. Players can use weapons, unique alien abilities, and environmental manipulation to navigate the station and uncover its secrets.
7. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
This action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment was released on November 15, 2019. It tells the story of Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan in hiding after the events of *Episode III: Revenge of the Sith*.
The game combines challenging, Souls-like combat with Metroidvania-style exploration across various planets in the Star Wars universe. Its compelling narrative and thrilling lightsaber combat made it a critical and commercial success.
6. Destiny 2
An online-only multiplayer first-person shooter from Bungie, Destiny 2 launched on September 6, 2017. Players are Guardians, protectors of humanity's last city, who wield powerful abilities known as Light and Darkness.
The game features a rich, evolving universe with a mix of cooperative and competitive modes. With millions of active players, it remains one of the most popular looter-shooter games with a science-fantasy setting.
5. Halo Infinite
The latest entry in the legendary franchise, Halo Infinite was released by 343 Industries on December 8, 2021. The game's campaign sees Master Chief battling the Banished on the mysterious Zeta Halo ring world.
It features a semi-open-world design, giving players more freedom than previous installments. Its free-to-play multiplayer mode is also immensely popular, solidifying its place as a top-tier space-themed shooter.
4. No Man's Sky
Released on August 9, 2016, by Hello Games, No Man's Sky is an exploration and survival game set in a procedurally generated universe with quintillions of planets. After a controversial launch, the game has been transformed by numerous free updates.
Players can now build bases, command fleets, engage in multiplayer missions, and follow deep narrative quests. Its core appeal remains the sense of endless discovery in a virtually infinite cosmos.
3. Starfield
Bethesda Game Studios' first new universe in over 25 years, Starfield was released on September 6, 2023. This massive RPG casts players as a member of Constellation, a group of space explorers.
The game offers over 1,000 planets to explore, deep character customization, ship building, and a vast main quest. Its sheer scale and commercial success have quickly made it one of the most prominent open-world space games.
2. Star Citizen
Currently in a long-term alpha development phase, Star Citizen is one of the most ambitious and heavily crowdfunded projects in gaming history. Developed by Cloud Imperium Games, it aims to be the ultimate life simulator in space.
The project promises a seamless, high-fidelity universe where players can transition from first-person on a planet to piloting a ship in space without loading screens. A separate single-player campaign, Squadron 42, featuring a star-studded cast, is also in development.
1. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
This collection, released by BioWare on May 14, 2021, remasters the iconic science fiction RPG trilogy. Players assume the role of Commander Shepard and make choices that shape the fate of the galaxy as they battle a race of ancient machines called the Reapers.
The trilogy is celebrated for its deep narrative, memorable characters, and morally complex decisions that carry across all three games. The Legendary Edition updated the graphics and gameplay, introducing this classic space opera to a new generation and cementing its status as one of the most beloved gaming sagas of all time.