23 NEW Space Games of 2022

Space is a great backdrop in all kinds of media mediums. You can find all kinds of great video games with a space backdrop in 2022. Whether it’s 4X strategy games, competitive FPS titles, or a narrative-driven RPG, there’s plenty to choose from this year. We’ll be covering some of our most anticipated releases for 2022 that is centered around space in some capacity. With that said, like all of our lists, don’t look too much into ranking. Ranking is always opinionated and these games could easily switch around after they release.

Disclaimer: Homeworld 3, Deliver Us Mars, The Outer Worlds 2, Kerbal Space Program 2, and Starfield were removed as they are no longer expected in 2022. 

#23 Spaceflight Simulator

• Developer: Stefo Mai Morojna
• Publisher: Stefo Mai Morojna
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022 Early Access

If you enjoy games like Kerbal Space Program, where you’re actively building up rockets, then check into Spaceflight Simulator. There are a few of these games out, but this one, in particular, is slated to launch this year. When it does, you’ll find the game available through early access, so some of the features might not be available right away. Despite that, players build rockets, launch them into space, and attempt to make a safe landing. From there, you’ll explore different worlds and deploy payloads.

#22 Fragile Existence

• Developer: Fragile Continuum
• Publisher: Fragile Continuum
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Fragile Existence is an upcoming RTS game set within the future. In this game, we’re tossed into a scenario where Earth was attacked by an unknown fleet leaving the human race struggling for survival. However, hope still lives on thanks to a few remaining ships that contains what’s left of human life. Putting aside their differences, the group ventures out into the depths of space in hopes of finding a new place to call home. However, on their tail is their enemy, seeking to take out human life once and for all. Players will have to strategize, build up bases, acquire resources, and fight back for their right to live and prosper for years to come.

#21 Distant Worlds 2

• Developer: Code Force
• Publisher: Slitherine
• Platform: PC
• Release: March 10, 2022

We have a few 4X grand strategy games on this list worth checking out. Another one of those is Distant Worlds 2. Much like some of the other games on this list, players are picking a faction and trying to build it up. This means acquiring resources, making trades, fighting off hostile enemies or factions, and exploring a vast start system. Developers have also added a game editor mode that allows players to build up their own unique galaxy to play in. This will give players more freedom in building out their own custom gameplay experience to enjoy or potentially share with others.

#20 System Shock

• Developer: Nightdive Studios
• Publisher: Prime Matter
• Platform: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: 2022

We’ve waited years now for the release of System Shock, the remake of the classic 1994 action-adventure of the same name. Nightdive Studios has been striving to deliver this science fiction classic to modern platforms and sought out donations to see the project become a reality. With a successful Kickstarter campaign, System Shock backers were recently given an update. While we don’t know if we’ll actually get this game within the year, it does look like the development team has managed to complete a build that’s playable from start to finish. Currently, the small team behind the remake is diverting their attention to other lower priority aspects of the game, which range from UI and weapon collision. Meanwhile, the actual narrative is centered around a hacker that gets caught trying to gain access to classified files from a space station owned by the TriOptimum Corporation. In exchange for their freedom, players is forced into hacking SHODAN, the AI that controls the station.

#19 SpaceBourne 2

• Developer: Burak Dabak
• Publisher: Burak Dabak
• Platform: PC
• Release: November 1, 2022

If you enjoyed the first SpaceBourne title, then get ready for its sequel later this year. SpaceBourne 2 is all about building up your galaxy empire. This is a single-player third-person shooter that features an open universe. Developers promise a game with thousands of solar systems, each with different planets and structures. As a result, these planets will be procedurally generated with their own climate, gravity, outposts, and points of interest. Think of it like No Man’s Sky, where you can endlessly explore. Players will have the freedom to do whatever they please. This could be mining for resources, trading, becoming a pirate, or simply being an explorer. Then different events might pop up, such as wormholes or contracts looking for a skilled freelance mercenary. As mentioned, the game is slated to come this year, but the developers are now aiming for a November launch. So hopefully, no unexpected delays pop up that might push this game into 2023.

#18 The Anacrusis

• Developer: Stray Bombay
• Publisher: Stray Bombay
• Platform: PC, X/S, XBO
• Release: January 13, 2022

The Anacrusis is a futuristic FPS where four characters find themselves stranded on a starship within the depths of unexplored space. Suddenly, the group finds a swarm of alien creatures bursting into the scene, and it becomes a battle to stay alive. Players can enjoy this game solo or with up to three other friends online. Developers have made the game so that each playthrough fighting against the waves of aliens and bosses will be different. Thanks to the AI, everything will be adjusted from the item placement to the enemy spawn points. So far, we know that the game will evolve over seasons. The first is centered around how the four characters ended up as the fighters to protect humanity from an alien species. With that said, the game will be launching as an early access title first. So players can expect the game to go through a series of updates and tweaks as the developers continue working on the project.

#17 Falling Frontier

• Developer: Stutter Fox Studios
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Falling Frontier is another upcoming RTS we are interested in checking out. In this game, you’ll find that humanity has broken up into different factions seeking territory of the galaxy. Starting the game out, you’ll find that your faction arrives at a new star system in this game and constructed a spaceport. However, it’s up to you in order to keep the spaceport and your territory safe while expanding into new regions. As a result, you’ll be dealing with other factions. This is a battle for resources, and it means preparing your ships for battles, skirmishes, and building up your outposts. Guide your ships to stay protective by keeping around asteroids, fire off projectiles, watch for ricochets and keep your supply chain thriving.

#16 Alliance of the Sacred Suns

• Developer: KatHawk Studios
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Another 4X grand strategy game you might be interested in is Alliance of the Sacred Suns. The game is set during a time where humanity is on its last legs, and you’re taking the role of the next emperor. Players here will be seeking to ensure that your house thrives and dominates against those that oppose your faction. However, how you manage your house in this futuristic setting is still all about choice. You can build up your empire, seek out resources, build up political relationships, and appoint officials to ensure your rule is abided by. Players can take the rule of the noble house and start crafting up a means to protect their people sometime later in the first quarter of the year.

#15 Hardspace: Shipbreaker

• Publisher: Focus Entertainment
• Developer: Blackbird Interactive
• Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
• Release Date: May 24, 2022

What’s scarier than being on an abandoned, half-destroyed ship in the middle of outer space? Being contractually obligated to strip each ship for valuables while dealing with increasingly hazardous conditions. Hardspace: Shipbreaker has you working for LYNX as you pay off your substantial debt by carving and slicing spaceships in search of anything valuable. A great combination of psychics-based games and simulation titles you’ll find endless enjoyment as you gradually upgrade your gear as you tackle bigger ventures.

#14 The Last Starship

• Publisher: Introversion Software
• Developer: Introversion Software
• Platform: PC
• Release Date: Late 2022

Coming from the developers of titles like Prison Architect you can probably imagine the chaos and intricate design you’ll expect to find in The Last Starship. Similar to Prison Architect but with a space twist, The Last Starship allows you to design your ship in every way possible including loading life support, an FTL drive, and propulsion before inevitably setting sail across the stars to tackle a large amount of procedurally generated mission. Definitely a must-play for fans of management sims.

#13 Star Ocean The Divine Force

• Publisher: Square Enix
• Developer: tri-Ace
• Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Release Date: October 27, 2022

After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021, Star Ocean The Divine Force will focus on the series characters Raymond, the captain of Ydas, a space trading ship, and Laeticia, a princess-knight of Aster IV, an underdeveloped kingdom. Following the footsteps of previous series titles, Star Ocean The Divine Force aims to focus heavily on its characters and story as both Raymond and Laeticia cross paths with a number of diverse characters throughout the game. Similar to other JRPGs, Star Ocean The Divine Force aims to perfect a balance of an intriguing narrative experience with in-depth and addictive action combat.

#12 The Planet Crafter

• Developer: Miju Games
• Publisher: Miju Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

The Planet Crafter is a first-person open-world survival game. In this title, players land on an alien planet where the goal is to build a biosphere. Similar to No Man’s Sky, the game gives a simple tool to help mine the different resources. From there, players will slowly build up structures. Eventually, you’ll need to find a means to further upgrade and make the area a bit easier to live within. Ultimately, this means creating oxygen, heat, and machines to make life sustainable. Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific release date attached to the game at the moment. But, with that said, there is a demo that you can download and enjoy right now through Steam.

#11 Star Trek Resurgence

• Developer: Bruner House
• Publisher: Bruner House
• Platform: PC, X/S, PS4, PS5, XBO
• Release: 2022

Fans of the Star Trek franchise will have a brand new game coming out this year. Here players will boldly go to parts unknown in a narrative-driven game filled with choices to decide on. We know that this adventure game will have plenty of branching storylines, exploration, and relationship building. Furthermore, the game will be set in 2380, so if you’re a fan of the franchise, you will be stepping into a storyline that will follow the events from the Star Trek: The Next Generation line of films. With that said, the developers have stated that this game will be released as a full game at launch and not a storyline that will be told through episodic releases.

#10 Dune: Spice Wars

• Developer: Shiro Games
• Publisher: Funcom, Shiro Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

The Dune franchise will see a new 4X RTS game this year. Dune: Spice Wars is coming out this year, where players are taking command of a faction in the desert world of Arrakis. Spice is the key resource to thrive in this world. You’ll have to mine, build up structures, fight for territory and keep your faction on top. Now the game is slated to release this year, but you will find it coming out through early access. That means the game will be tweaked and updated with new features for players to enjoy as the studio prepares for the full game launch. With that said, we don’t have a specific release date for this title. Currently, players will be battling it out in Arrakis sometime later this year.

#9 Ixion

• Developer: Bulwark Studios
• Publisher: Kasedo Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

IXION has players taking control over a group of survivors in space where you’re seeking a new home to live. Being in space, you’ll constantly have to work around the clock to find new resources to haul back in hopes of preventing a mutiny. This means players will create jobs, provide care to those living in your ship and even look for other stranded survivors needing rescue. However, resources are not all you’ll need to be mindful of as you never know when disaster might strike and need your attention on the ship. At the moment of writing this game description, it looks like we’ll see this game hit the marketplace at some point this year.

#8 Terra Invicta

• Developer: Pavonis Interactive
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Terra Invicta is an upcoming 4X grand strategy game. In this title, an alien invasion is discovered, and the world is split between different sides. With the arrival of these alien species coming at any moment, players will be taking control of one faction out of several options. Essentially the factions are broken down to their outlooks on the invasion. This could be anything from crafting a defensive force to push these creatures back, a group looking to flee the solar system, or even a group seeking to welcome the invasion with open arms. From there, it’s a battle to gain territory and resources to keep your faction on top. This means capturing control points, building up resources, conducting proxy wars, and building your territory to the outskirts of our solar system.

#7 Out There: Oceans of Time

• Developer: Mi-Clos Studio, Goblinz Studio
• Publisher: Modern Wolf, Fractale
• Platform: PC
• Release: February 10, 2022

Out There: Oceans of Time is an upcoming management and adventure game. In this title, players are taking the role of Commander Nyx as you seek out a cosmic villain that’s looking to take control of the galaxy. You’ll explore different planets, interact with alien races, recruit new members, earn trust, and build up a crew to venture through the different star systems. As it stands right now, the developers promise a deep and branching narrative for players to partake in, so if you want a bit more unique experience playing through this game, then this might be something to pique your interest.

#6 Occupy Mars: The Game

• Developer: Pyramid Games
• Publisher: Pyramid Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

We’ve been waiting on Occupy Mars: The Game for a while now, and we know that it will be available as an early access title when it does release. With that said, this game throws players into surviving mars. You’ll colonize the planet in this open-world sandbox game. This means going around building up a base, expanding your colony by adding more structures, mine for resources, finding a means to get water, generate oxygen, and grow crops. Unfortunately, not everything will last, which means going around fixing whatever ends up breaking. Again, this game will be released as an early access title, so you should see different updates come out as the developers continue working on the title.

#5 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

• Developer: Traveller’s Tales
• Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Platforms: PC, NS, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
• Release: 2022

There is no shortage of Lego video game titles, and the next installment we’re eager to try out is Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Lego has been featured for previous Star Wars-themed video games before. However, this new upcoming installment will be telling the storyline from all nine Star Wars movies. It’s going to be a long game as the development team attempts to parody the storyline from start to finish, but these Lego titles have always done well in the past. If you haven’t played one of these Lego video games before, they usually take a popular franchise and offer a toned-down kid-friendly video game narrative. It’s all about a wacky storyline with hack and slash style combat along with solving a series of puzzles.

#4 Boundary

• Developer: Studio Surgical Scalpels
• Publisher: Skystone Games, Huya Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

If you’re looking for a bit more competitive gameplay then check out Boundary. This is a online PvP FPS game where you’re battling it out in space. With low gravity, you can float around and get some unique positions to take out an opponent. You’ll have a variety of weapons that you’re used to seeing in FPS games then there’s the added benefit of being able to further customize or tweak your weapons with different stocks, grips, and barrels. It should be interesting to see how well this newcomer will handle in the marketplace with other iconic FPS franchises but so far we don’t have a specific date attached to the game outside of a 2022 launch window.

#3 Ripout

• Developer: Pet Project Games
• Publisher: Pet Project Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Ripout is a horror FPS game where players are battling against hostile alien creatures on derelict ships. Missions are said to be short, so you can either go solo or join up with a friend online as you search around the ship, completing tasks without committing to an extended gameplay session. Meanwhile, players are equipped with a sentient biotech weapon called the pet gun, which can be customized to mix and match your playstyles. Furthermore, the game should feel a bit fresh with each playthrough, thanks to a procedurally generated level design. So you never know what to expect when you start up a new round.

#2 The Cycle: Frontier

• Developer: Yager
• Publisher: Yager
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

The Cycle: Frontier is an upcoming PvPvE title that’s free to play. Players can expect an FPS experience where you’re dropping down onto an alien planet with contract goals to complete and resources to uncover. However, not only are their other players to battle against but hostile alien creatures as well. This world can prove profitable but only to those willing to potentially gamble their lives away. Expect a brutal combat experience and plenty of exploration. Just make sure that when you’ve completed all that’s available within the time limit, you make your way back to an EVAC ship in time to secure the payload. From there, you can make various upgrades and equipment purchases to make the next run a bit easier. Right now, this game doesn’t have a specific release date attached to the game, but the development team over at Yager is hopeful to see the title launch this year.

#1 The Callisto Protocol

• Developer: Striking Distance Studios
• Publisher: Krafton
• Platform: PS5, PC, X/S
• Release: 2022

The Callisto Protocol comes from Striking Distance Studios which Glen Schofield is directing. That’s important because this is the person behind the Dead Space franchise. Fans are quickly comparing the two IPs as well. We haven’t seen much about this game, but there is a premise we can offer. Currently, we know that the game is set within the PUBG universe but years into the future. Set during the year 2320, players are following a prisoner on their way to a facility based on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. However, upon reaching the moon, an alien parasite breaks into the hull and begins to kill off the crew. Ultimately, this looks like another means of an escape for our protagonist, but not only will he be facing against the law but now a new hostile alien threat. Players up for a futuristic survival horror experience should find this game available at some point this year, 2022.