Look, space may be the “final frontier,” but video games have shown that frontier in various ways. Specifically, we’ve seen everything from being “in space primarily” to “being on key planets within a universe,” so let’s classify what we’re about to talk about here, shall we? I’m going to talk about games that are truly set within SPACE and going through the universe at times, not just being on a few planets for plot. So with that being said, allow me to show you the Best Space Video Games of All Time
Elite Dangerous
In many ways, Elite Dangerous is the perfect example of what it means to be a “space video game.” I say that because this title has over 400 BILLION star systems to explore as you work your way through the Milky Way Galaxy to do whatever the heck you want. The team at Frontier Developments took gameplay styles and elements from various franchises and games to craft something special here.
For example, when you start the game, you’re not a “chosen warrior” of some kind; you’re just someone who is given a ship and a bit of money and is told to do whatever you want. From that point on, you can explore the universe however you please and influence everything happening within it.
I mean that literally, as part of the appeal of this game is that you and every other player who joins this massive space MMO have the ability to shape the universe. You can help win or lose battles, build or bring down empires; it’s all up to you! You can even go into Solo Mode to try things in your own way if you desire.
The game shifts and updates based on what players do, so this “space” is never the same after you play it.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is a bit ironic of an entry for multiple reasons. Not the least is that many will likely compare it to a rather recent game in Starfield, which is fair on some levels. The difference is that Hello Games has had time to fix its mistakes while Bethesda is still working on theirs.
At first, No Man’s Sky was a rather “empty” title despite having a vast universe to explore. The game promised players quite a bit but then failed to live up to it in the ways that mattered. There wasn’t multiplayer, the planets you went to weren’t that exciting or had things to do, etc. So why is it on this list now?
That’s because Hello Games took their time and slowly built up everything to the levels they wanted it to be. Now there’s not only freedom to do much more, but you can do it in your own style alone or with friends!
There’s a new life to this universe that shows itself as you travel around. You can find pirates that you can fight or be the ones that the police are trying to chase out of their system! Also, you can build up a spaceship to be whatever you desire it to be.
It might have taken a bit to get there, but No Man’s Sky is a truly worthy title now.
EVE Online
One could argue that EVE Online is similar to Elite Dangerous in various aspects, but the difference is that this game boasts that it’s the #1 Space MMO, and they likely have a good reason for saying that…
Anyway, one of the reasons that EVE Online is so popular is that it’s been doing its thing for 20 years! Plus, like the other game I mentioned, its universe is eternally tied to the players who shape it with their actions.
Don’t believe me? Well, EVE Online has a world record for the most gamers in a single battle, with over 8000 participating in just one fight! Now imagine that kind of scale across various fights over the nearly twenty years of the title’s existence, and think of how that would affect the game over time. See? Everything matters!
That goes double for who you choose to be. With over 350 ships at your beck and call, you can work your way through the universe and be anything you want. You can be the best pilot with the best ship, or the leader of a business empire or even create a military power and attempt to conquer everything!
This is a giant space sandbox for you to have fun in…so go have fun!
The Outer Wilds
And now, for something a little different. Specifically, The Outer Wilds is a game that plays much differently than the previous entries I’ve discussed so far. Why? Well, instead of being a third-person or “god-view” game where you’re exploring the universe for various reasons, this game is an FPS mystery-adventure title where you have to explore a solar system to stop an endless time loop you’re caught up in. Fun times!
But that is what you’re doing in the title. You’re in a solar system that resets itself every 22 minutes when a nearby star goes supernova. That’s bad for you, except that you can use the knowledge that you get from each loop to take your exploration and discoveries to the next level.
Just as important, despite it being a time loop, things do change over time, and you can witness things reveal themselves or get swallowed up by the planets you’re on as you explore them. The deeper you dive into this system, the more answers you may get or the more questions you’ll have.
The Outer Wilds is very much about the wonder of exploring space and unraveling the mysteries within. There’s no true “action” or battles, and that helped it stand out from the pack.
Endless Space 2
There’s definitely a difference between Endless Space 2 and the other space games we’ve shown you so far. Previous ones had you being a singular entity in a vast universe and making your place in it. But here, you’re going to be the leader of an entire race, and it’s your job to help them move throughout the galaxy so that they can make their mark, whatever that “mark” might be. So it’s just as much a game like Civilization as it is a spacefaring epic.
Case in point: you can pick from one of several factions to start your journey with. Then, you’ll start immediately making decisions about what to do with your race. As you explore the stars, you’ll need to build up colonies and get resources so you can continue to expand. Don’t disregard your people, though. They might look up to you, but your decisions will affect how they feel about you.
That will also be true for the various alien species you meet across the stars. Will you be a kind race that tries to befriend all you meet? Or will you wipe them out so that only you will be the dominant race in the universe? The choice is yours.
Kerbal Space Program
It’s kind of hard for me to compare the Kerbal Space Program titles, both of them, to any other games because there are several “genres” within the two games. It’s almost like a refined version of Spore, if you remember that, which was also a big space game…eventually.
Anyway, the Kerbal Space Program duo is about you taking control of a “unique race” of creatures called the Kerbals and starting a space program for them. But it’s not as simple as just “building a spacecraft and launching it.” Instead, you’ll have to work to make functional aircraft and ensure the Kerbals survive in it. A craft doesn’t work if its pilots die, after all.
Then, once you have some working crafts, you can continually launch the Kerbals into space so you can explore the stars and see what you can do up there. You can build space stations and explore planets, and in the sequel, you can even build colonies to further spread the “glory of Kerbal kind.” I don’t think “glory” is the word I would use in association with the Kerbals, but I’ll roll with it for now.
The point is, there is so much to do in these titles that you’ll have a blast as you attempt to boldly go where no Kerbal has gone before.
Stellaris
Stellaris has many similarities to Endless Space 2, so if you’re up for a different “grand strategy” adventure, this is one you’ll want to check out.
Like its counterpart, you’ll start as an alien race that has just gotten itself advanced enough to explore the stars. Once you start, you’ll want to check out everything you can and figure out how to use the various resources you uncover to expand your species even further. You’ll need to build yourself up for what’s to come.
What is to come? That depends on your playthrough. Stellaris prides itself on using various methods to ensure that each run the player has is unique and special. The alien races you meet will be different; you can choose a different race to start with or even customize your race with certain “positive or negative traits” to heavily influence how you handle things throughout the game.
In other words, you can play one way, then start over with a different race and mindset and have entirely new worlds, species, and mysteries to interact with. Not to mention, the game constantly updates, so the team always ensures that the game functions as best it can.
Everspace 2
Look for something a bit more “low key” than the space titles I’ve shown you so far? Then let’s talk about Everspace 2, a game that focuses on you being in one ship and zooming around the galaxy, trying to get out of the situation you’re in. If you liked the space battle sections of games like Star Wars Battlefront (the good ones) or Squadrons, you’d be in for a similar ride here, just with a much deeper story and expansive space to be in.
In this case, you’ll be a clone pilot trapped in an area known as the DMZ. Your goal is to get out of it, but it’s not that easy, as you can imagine. The story campaign in Everspace 2 is about 30 hours long, but if you go through the many side quests and missions you can do or just have fun flying around deep space, you can extend that to 90 hours! That’s a robust space shooter!
Speaking of which, while you only pilot one ship in the game, you can customize and upgrade that ship as much as you want! Or, you can get a collection of ships and fly around in the one you feel is best.
With fun combat and a deep story awaiting you, you’ll have plenty to do here.
FTL Faster Than Light
Instead of comparing this to another game, allow me to set the tone via the genres this is. FTL Faster Than Light is a mix of space combat and exploration with roguelike elements. Specifically, you’re on a ship that’s meant to help save the galaxy. The twist is that instead of being the pilot or “hero,” you’re the person who manages the entire ship and crew to ensure they make it out of each situation alive!
That means you’ll have to monitor all of your spaceship’s functions and statuses so you’re always ready to do something on a moment’s notice. Are you getting attacked by enemies? Then, you’ll want to strengthen the shields or prepare for a quick getaway. Need to take out foes? Power up your lasers, or prepare the ship to board the enemy craft!
Your orders must come fast and confidently if you wish to survive, and this game does not guarantee survival! The galaxy you travel through will be full of random encounters, which means you never know what will be in that next sector of space you travel to.
So be the captain you want to be, and see if you can survive what the universe throws at you. Good luck!
Star Conflict
Finally, we have one last game that is a mix of many of the titles we’ve seen already. In this case, Star Conflict is a PVP/PVE space fighting simulator where all kinds of players can jump in and fight for glory and riches. What’s not to love?
Specifically, the universe has “revealed” a “lost sector” of itself that used to house a former alien race. A cataclysm consumed that race, but no one knows why or how. And since it’s humanity, they don’t care. Instead, they know that this place houses lost technology and riches for them to claim, and everyone from empires to mercenary groups is vying to get their cut.
That’s where you and your fellow players come in. You’ll become part of this universe and use your piloting skills to make a name for yourself. You can do it alone, or you can build up a force of allies to take on foes.
The more you fight, or the more you take on missions, the more you can grow your character and your ship. Not everything has to be a straight-up battle. You can outfit your ship with stealth abilities or take out foes from long distances!
It’s your conflict to fight, so fight it how you want to.
