17 Best Open World Space Games For PC

Space games are a big part of the video game world, and on PC, you arguably have some the best to play. So check out these 15!

#17 Everspace 2

Platform: PC April 06, 2023
Release Date: PS5 XSX|S August 15, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

Everspace fans have a sequel to enjoy. Everspace 2 throws players into a cloned pilot setting off on his own adventure to establish where he belongs in this universe. With war-torn systems, mercenaries, pirates, and more out in the open, you never know who or what might come along your path. Players interested in fast-paced gameplay experiences might find this game a blast to play. Jump into your ship and equip it with weapons and shields as you dogfight your way through opponents.

#16 Starfield

Platform: PC XSX|S
Release Date: September 06, 2023

Steam | Xbox

Are you ready to take to the stars above? If so, you’ll want to brace yourself for the epic adventure that is Starfield. Bethesda has been working on this title for years, and you’ll witness the fruits of their labors as you travel across a sea of stars to do whatever you wish.

For example, you could follow the main campaign and make key choices affecting you, other characters, whole planets, and even the galaxy. Or you could just jump in your ship and fly it in whatever direction. You can even reach our own solar system if you travel far enough. So are you ready for your space adventure?

#15 Kerbal Space Program

We will start with some of the “weirder” entries in this genre because plenty fill up this space. Pun intended.

The Kerbal Space Program features you as the leader of a space organization through a species known as the Kerbal. But, to be blunt, the Kerbals are idiots, and you need to guide them into space so that they can colonize other worlds.

But that will take plenty of trial and error. So you’ll need to test out various kinds of ships and ways to protect your Kerbals so you can get them into space and not blow them up to kingdom come every time.

#14 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

You’ll see three games from a “galaxy far, far away” on this list, and we’ll start with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game is the culmination of all the past LEGO titles within the universe. You’ll get to play your favorite characters across all nine movies as you blast, slice, and beat your way through enemy characters.

Each level has plenty of bricks to collect and secrets to uncover. Plus, you’ll get to battle in space, on the ground, and more!

The more you do, the more characters you unlock! So get them all and see if you can play as your personal favorite!

#13 Astroneer

While many of the games on this list will let you explore scores of planets without much issue, Astroneer takes a different approach.

Instead, they let you go to seven unique planets, and then you can terraform them to what you want them to be. You can build upon or dive deep into the world to make an underground base. You can shape things how you want thanks to the tool you have, and once you’re done with one planet, you can go to another and do something different!

It won’t be easy, and every planet has something different to throw at you. But if you play it right, you’ll do well.

#12 Rebel Galaxy

Typically, space adventures put you on the side of the “good guys” who happen to run a peaceful planet or the “bad guys” trying to destroy everything. But what about the rebels? The space pirates that do things simply because they want money, loot, or a good time?

In Rebel Galaxy, you’ll see that side of space culture and choose what style you want to enjoy.

Will you be a rogue who does what they want, when they want, and the universe has to deal with it? Will you attempt to amass power to drive out your competition and reign supreme?

With numerous options at your disposal, it’s your call.

#11 Starbound

As you’ll see as we continue this list, several open-world space titles want nothing more than to give you freedom and let you chart your unique course through space.

In Starbound, you see that in many ways. You are the survivor of a destroyed world, and you can seek those that destroyed all that you loved and stop them from doing it again.

Or you can ignore that and venture into the galaxy to do whatever you please. You can visit other worlds and colonize them, or you can jump into the casual mode and have no fear of what will happen next!

It’s a big universe; explore it to your heart’s content!

#10 Star Trek Online

Space, the final frontier, these are the voyages of…oh you know the rest. Plus, it’s not solely about the Enterprise when it comes to Star Trek Online. You can even choose to be in another species outside of the Federation if you desire!

The game will give you a ship and crew, and you’ll guide them through various quadrants of space. As you do so, you’ll interact with legendary characters from series past, be embroiled in intergalactic wars, and more.

What will your legacy in space be when you’ve done all there is to do? It’ll be a while before you can answer, so get started now!

#9 Star Wars: The Old Republic

The second of our titles from this universe, Star Wars: The Old Republic, is an MMORPG that lets you travel through the vast reaches of the galaxy and embark on a journey you drive forward.

Like many MMORPGs, you can pick your species, character class, and where you go at any given moment. You can be a Jedi or Sith, but don’t shake off the options of being a thief, smuggler, bounty hunter, or something else entirely.

You’ll interact with other players, go on raids, unlock new story parts, and more! So trust in the Force, or don’t, and see where it takes you.

#8 The Outer Worlds

Made by Obsidian Entertainment, The Outer Worlds is an excellent example of how an open-world setting perfectly blends with RPG aesthetics to deliver a player-focused experience.

In the title, you’re a person who was in cryostasis for a long time. Corporations have taken over everything when you awaken and threaten the colony you are now on.

You have a choice ahead of you. Will you fight to free the colony from its corporate overlords? Or will you help the business-like dictators so you can survive and make some profit off the whole thing?

The world will react to what you do. Choose wisely.

#7 Destiny 2

Are you ready to continue the fight to save the system? If you are, prepare to be a Guardian once again and fight threats near and far as everything in this universe’s story comes to a head!

You’ll have many challenges to overcome whether you play alone or with friends. The thrill of the game is to take on the threats head-on or to plan carefully with friends so you ensure that the job gets done.

Plus, with the DLC that continues to arrive, you’ll have more to do than ever before. So don’t be afraid to jump in and try it out!

#6 Outer Wilds

Not to be confused with the other title we discussed, Outer Wilds puts you in the cockpit of a ship within a solar system stuck in a time loop. Every time you venture out, you can learn more about the system, but you’ll inevitably return to where you started.

But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth exploring, far from it. You’ll have access to various planets through your ship, and you’ll need to use your mind and skills to solve puzzles, unlock mysteries, and dive deeper into what this solar system is.

Do you think you can stop the time loop? Jump in and find out!

#5 Elite Dangerous

A few games on this list dare to push the idea of an open-world space game to its limits and beyond. Elite Dangerous is one of those titles.

The game gives you nothing more than a ship and some credits to start with, and then sends you off into the vast reaches of space to become whatever you want to be.

You might think that your character won’t impact the world much, but you’d be wrong. The game ensures every player can have actions that ripple throughout the universe. So even if you’re just one person doing their own thing, you matter.

#4 No Man’s Sky

There was a time when No Man’s Sky would’ve been touted as one of the biggest open-world titles ever created. That’s still technically true, but some baggage came with it. Mainly, while there was a universe with millions upon millions of planets to explore, there was never a reason to really explore them. Most were barren and with not much to do.

Fast forward to now, and Hello Games has overhauled the title so that it lives up to the hype and potential that it had before launch. You can explore the universe, travel with friends, and see what it offers. So why not take a trip there?

#3 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

It’s appropriate that we talk about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order ahead of its sequel coming out. The first title helped reignite the spark for games set with the galaxy far, far away, and many hope the sequel will carry that spark to a new height.

In the game, you play Cal Kestis, a former Jedi Padawan who survived the purge and has been in hiding ever since. But, after accidentally exposing his Jedi ways, he’s forced to flee the Empire and join a rag-tag crew of misfits to help locate something that could change the galaxy’s fate.

The lightsaber and Force combat in the game is top-notch, and as you explore multiple worlds, you’ll see the many ways they’re open to you.

#2 Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Not unlike other games on this list, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition isn’t your standard open-world space title. However, the game lets you shape the universe’s events through your actions and choices. As a result, you are the catalyst for everything that happens, and the game can be radically different depending on your choices.

So as Commander Shephard, you’ll travel the vast galaxy, see various worlds, meet unique characters, and partake in missions that’ll save all life or doom it.

That doesn’t even mention the various side quests and interactions that help fill up this vast place and showcase the detail that Bioware put into the trilogy.

#1 EVE Online

There’s a reason why EVE Online is the top game on this list. The title hails itself as the “#1 Space MMO,” and it can back up that talk with facts. For example, the game continues to grow and evolve after twenty years of life. How many other titles can you say does that?

Furthermore, you can do almost anything in the game and help shape the galaxy through it. That says nothing of the large-scale battles you can partake in. Some of them have even set Guinness World Records!

So if you’re looking for a game to dive into and be lost in for some time, this is the one for you.