The best space games on PC transform vast galaxies and celestial bodies into digestible digital playgrounds for us to venture through, discover, and ultimately protect. Space gaming caters to every taste: RPG enthusiasts might appreciate how Honkai: Star Rail transports players to distinct planets for its blend of humorous narratives and polished battle systems, while strategy lovers could find themselves immersed for hours expanding their dominion in Stellaris. For those seeking multiplayer experiences, titles like Lethal Company or Helldivers 2 deliver an engaging mix of humor and spine-chilling thrills.
The space gaming genre has existed since the earliest days of personal computing, resulting in an extensive library of titles. Our selected games run smoothly on contemporary hardware and are readily accessible. Most can be purchased through Steam, frequently at attractive prices.
Different games interpret space in unique ways. Some are crafted for collaborative exploration with friends, while others deliver more solitary experiences. We’ve organized these space games into distinct categories to simplify your selection process.
Release date: 2023 | Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Starfield begins, as is characteristic of Bethesda RPGs, in an intimate setting that gradually unfolds into an expansive universe. However, this time, players are treated to an entire galaxy to explore. This sci-fi realm is brimming with countless treasures, featuring hundreds of distinct missions and personalities waiting to be discovered.
Team up with a companion to venture across diverse planets, gathering resources and establishing bases, or channel your creativity into designing your own spacecraft. Since its 2023 launch, the game has continued to evolve, and while the Shattered Space DLC brings modest additions, it provides welcome extra content for those who enjoyed the base game. While Starfield may not top our list of favorite Bethesda titles, it stands as one of the most comprehensive space RPGs available.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: Mobius Digital
This first-person open world adventure invites players to explore a compact solar system filled with mysterious planets and fascinating cosmic events. The unique twist? You’re caught in a temporal loop, allowing just 20 minutes of exploration per cycle. Outer Wilds shares similarities with titles like Her Story and Obra Dinn in its approach to puzzle-solving, where players must discover and connect seemingly disparate pieces of information.
Release date: 2023 | Developer: HoYoverse
This turn-based science fiction RPG from Genshin Impact’s creators exceeds all expectations. Players choose between a male or female Trailblazer and join an intrepid group of explorers, visiting various planets to protect them from destruction by cosmic deities. While lacking the complete open-world freedom of Genshin, each planet offers vibrant cities and locations to discover, alongside an engaging narrative that masterfully balances humor and heroism—embodying the essence of great space opera.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Distinct from Outer Wilds, another space adventure on this list, Obsidian’s interplanetary RPG delivers a humorous action experience reminiscent of the studio’s Fallout heritage. Players and their companions explore a solar system featuring visually striking environments and memorable characters. In this retro-futuristic setting where corporations reign supreme, you’ll battle aliens, engage in dialogue, and potentially wreak havoc across planets according to your preferences.
Release date: 2022 | Developer: Blackbird Interactive
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a unique simulation game set in a dystopian future where salvaging derelict spaceships becomes your means of survival, though barely enough to make ends meet. This immersive first-person experience puts you in the role of a space salvager, where you’ll need to master the intricate art of ship dismantling, accept increasingly challenging assignments, and continuously enhance your expertise—all while attempting to chip away at an overwhelming mountain of debt. The game brilliantly captures both the creative problem-solving aspects and the repetitive nature inherent to blue-collar work, using these elements to deliver a powerful commentary on the exploitation of labor in a world dominated by wealthy individuals and massive corporations.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: No Code
In this gripping sci-fi thriller, the Observation space station has broken free from Earth’s orbit and now drifts aimlessly in the vicinity of Saturn. The station’s critical systems are failing, flames have erupted within, and SAM, the onboard AI, exhibits unsettling behavior. While Dr. Emma Fisher faces mounting challenges in this crisis, the game takes an innovative approach by casting you not as the human protagonist, but as the artificial intelligence itself. From the creators of Stories Untold comes this unique perspective on space survival.
Release date: 2017 | Developer: Fullbright
Set aboard the abandoned Tacoma lunar transfer station, you’re tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of its crew and retrieving its valuable AI, Odin. This atmospheric sci-fi mystery, crafted by the team behind Gone Home, features exceptional writing and a diverse cast of complex characters whose stories unfold through innovative AR recordings. The meticulously detailed station environment rewards thorough exploration, and the layered mystery becomes increasingly intriguing as you delve deeper into Tacoma’s secrets.
Release date: 2014 | Developer: Creative Assembly
In this masterful survival horror game, Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, must evade a deadly xenomorph while navigating a deteriorating space station. Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, it excels in building sustained tension. The Sevastopol station perfectly embodies retro-futuristic aesthetics with its vintage technology and unsettling lighting effects. It stands as both an exceptionally faithful adaptation and a remarkable horror experience in its own right.
Release date: 2023 | Developer: Motive
Isaac Clarke’s misfortune unfolds in spectacular fashion when a routine ship repair mission aboard the USG Ishimura transforms into a nightmarish struggle for survival. What begins as a standard maintenance operation quickly descends into horror as Clarke discovers the vessel has been overrun by grotesque alien entities. Dead Space masterfully combines the industrial horror aesthetics reminiscent of Alien with intense third-person combat mechanics, challenging players to strategically dismember the monstrous creatures that relentlessly pursue them. The 2023 remake elevates this classic experience with stunning visual enhancements, a reimagined character model for Clarke, and a deeper emphasis on the original’s signature atmospheric tension and spine-chilling suspense.
Release date: 2021 | Developer: BioWare
For those who’ve dreamed of commanding their own starship like Captain Picard, navigating interstellar politics, and facing profound cosmic challenges, the Mass Effect series—particularly its second installment—delivers this fantasy in spectacular fashion. This masterpiece combines the epic scope of Star Wars with the philosophical depth of Star Trek’s finest episodes, establishing itself as one of PC gaming’s premier science fiction experiences. While it may not offer the boundless exploration of titles like Elite: Dangerous, its carefully crafted narrative takes players on an extraordinary galactic journey, featuring unique planetary environments and deeply engaging alien civilizations. The entire trilogy, now enhanced in the Legendary Edition, stands as a testament to exceptional storytelling, though Mass Effect 2 remains the unanimous favorite. Given the technical limitations of the original PC version of Mass Effect 2, the Legendary Edition represents the definitive way to experience this landmark series.
Release date: 2013 | Developer: Chucklefish Games
This delightful sci-fi survival adventure takes Terraria’s winning formula to the stars. Players navigate between procedurally generated planets aboard their personal spacecraft, hunting exotic alien species for sustenance, establishing intricate colonies and subterranean facilities, all while fighting for survival. The game’s distinctive art direction complements its robust sandbox mechanics. Players can choose from diverse species including sophisticated robots, ethereal energy beings, evolved simians, and vibrant flightless avians.
Release date: 2017 | Developer: Rockfish Games
This innovative roguelike space shooter turns death into progression. While each defeat is permanent, accumulated resources persist between runs, enabling players to purchase powerful upgrades that enhance future attempts. These incremental improvements allow for deeper space exploration and bolder tactical decisions with each new life. This addictive gameplay loop transforms failure into opportunity, making each defeat feel less like a setback and more like a stepping stone toward greater achievements.
Release date: 2014 | Developer: Frontier Developments
This expansive space simulation transforms an entire galaxy into your personal frontier. Beginning with just a basic spacecraft and modest financial resources, you’re empowered to forge your own path through the cosmos. The game’s boundless flexibility allows you to craft your identity—whether as a notorious space pirate striking fear into merchant vessels, a shrewd trader mastering the intergalactic markets, or an intrepid explorer charting unknown star systems. Elite Dangerous’s greatest triumph lies in its ability to accommodate diverse playstyles, ensuring every pilot finds their niche in the vast expanse of space. From heart-pounding combat encounters to peaceful stellar cartography, the game offers something for every space enthusiast. The meticulously designed spacecraft, ranging from agile fighters to robust cargo vessels, deliver an unparalleled flying experience.
Release date: 2017 | Developer: Suspicious Developments
This innovative top-down sci-fi action title challenges players to infiltrate spacecraft using an extensive arsenal of weapons and tactical gadgets. The game’s brilliance emerges from its immersive sim-inspired design, offering unprecedented creative freedom in mission execution. When your presence inevitably triggers chaos aboard the target vessel, your spontaneous reactions generate compelling narratives. While missions rarely unfold according to plan, these unpredictable elements enhance the entertainment value.
Release date: 2016 | Developer: Ocelot Society
Marooned near Jupiter aboard an antiquated luxury spacecraft, your survival depends entirely on an emotionally unstable artificial intelligence. Communication with Kaizen occurs through keyboard interactions, with the AI’s cooperation varying unpredictably. One moment it might offer assistance, the next it might threaten your existence by sealing you outside the airlock until your oxygen depletes. This intelligent adventure captures the subtle atmospheric tension characteristic of 1970s science fiction cinema.
Release date: 1994 | Developer: Totally Games
This classic title offers the unique experience of serving the Empire in Lucas’s iconic space saga. Featuring diverse Imperial missions—from intense dogfights to escort duties and capital ship assaults—alongside a compelling narrative, it represents LucasArts’ finest Star Wars gaming achievement. Alternatively, players can opt for Star Wars: X-Wing if they prefer championing the Rebel Alliance’s cause.
Release date: 2012 | Developer: Subset Games
FTL masterfully blends turn-based and real-time strategy mechanics to recreate the authentic experience of commanding a Star Trek-inspired vessel. The game stands out as an exceptional roguelike, set against the backdrop of an accessible yet engaging sci-fi universe, complete with its own lighthearted mythology and carefully crafted story elements that maintain excitement throughout the journey to its conclusion. The personal investment of naming your vessel and crew members makes their potential demise in hostile territory all the more emotionally impactful.
Release date: 2016 | Developer: Misfits Attic
Despite its presentation through a vintage-styled computer interface, Duskers emerges as one of the most terrifying and suspenseful sci-fi horror experiences available on PC. Players control a collection of drones exploring abandoned spacecraft in search of resources, technological improvements, and insights into the mysterious disappearance of galactic civilization. The vessels you investigate are infested with mysterious entities, transforming the exploration of these confined, lightless passages into an intensely nerve-wracking endeavor.
Release date: 1995 | Developer: LucasArts
An expedition to prevent an Earth-bound asteroid takes an unexpected turn, transporting a team of astronauts to a distant, seemingly deserted alien world. While some puzzle solutions prove frustratingly complex, even by LucasArts adventure game standards, the vibrant, otherworldly environment creates a truly authentic extraterrestrial atmosphere. The voice acting excels, featuring X-Files veteran Robert Patrick in the leading role.
Release date: 1993 | Developer: Origin Systems
While Wing Commander enthusiasts perpetually debate their favorite installment, Privateer’s grittier atmosphere sets it apart. This comprehensive sandbox enables players to adopt various roles – mercenary, pirate, merchant, or any combination thereof. Players traverse star systems hunting bounties and raiding vessels, with exhilarating first-person space combat throughout. Though a linear narrative exists, the true enjoyment comes from forging your own independent path through the cosmos.
Release date: 2013 | Developer: Bohemia Interactive
For those preferring more realistic space gaming experiences, Arma developer Bohemia’s Take On Mars delivers authentic space exploration and settlement simulation based on genuine astronomical science. Players can design and operate a Curiosity-inspired rover to explore the Martian landscape or establish their own colony on the red planet. It’s perfectly suited for enthusiasts seeking scientific accuracy over science fiction fantasy.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: Flat Earth Games
This innovative approach to space simulation combines the commerce and discovery aspects found in titles like Elite Dangerous, while delivering an experience more akin to navigating a submarine. Instead of vast cosmic vistas, players interact with functional compartments filled with monitoring equipment and control panels. The gameplay demands extensive multitasking as you simultaneously fulfill various roles including pilot, engineer, and communications specialist. Despite the confined perspective of your environment, the game successfully conveys the sensation of commanding a vessel through the cosmic void.
Release date: 2024 | Developer: Wube Software
While Factorio’s core game is set on a planet reminiscent of a dystopian Earth, the space element takes center stage in the Space Age expansion. This substantial addition introduces complex interplanetary logistics, featuring customizable space platforms and four distinct planetary environments to explore and traverse. Each world presents its own unique topographical challenges, making your mobile interplanetary base seem remarkably welcoming compared to environments like the treacherous lava-covered planet. The indigenous creatures on the volcanic world are particularly hostile, so exercise caution around the massive worm-like beings.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: Tindalos Interactive
This real-time tactical warfare game focuses on massive spacecraft encounters within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Combat occurs on a two-dimensional plane featuring strategic control points and asteroid fields, with vessels handling like enormous, lethal ocean liners. Players can deploy fighter and bomber units, execute torpedo salvos and energy weapon strikes, and conduct vessel infiltrations. The space combat sequences are immersive and visually impressive, while the campaign delivers a satisfying experience, particularly for enthusiasts of the 40K franchise.
Release date: 2017 | Developer: Amplitude Studios
An elegantly designed galactic domination experience. While not the most expansive or intricate 4X strategy title available for PC, it offers an engaging time-sink that combines strategic planning with stunning visual design. Set in an imaginative science fiction universe, players can investigate mysterious stellar systems, uncover ancient civilizations’ secrets, establish planetary outposts, and interact with various alien species through diplomacy or warfare.
Release date: 2016 | Developer: Paradox
Created by Paradox, renowned for their Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis franchises, this ambitious sci-fi venture exemplifies the essence of grand strategy gaming. Players can traverse the cosmos, establish diplomatic relations with extraterrestrial civilizations, and participate in expansive interstellar conflicts. The game’s intricate mechanics and diverse systems transform it into a compelling narrative generator, where each playthrough brings unexpected encounters with mysterious cosmic entities.
Release date: 2008 | Developer: Ironclad Games
Seamlessly blending real-time strategy mechanics with 4X gameplay elements, Sins offers players an immersive experience of galactic domination. Select your preferred faction, accumulate vital resources, and ascend to become a formidable cosmic ruler. While commanding fleets in real-time warfare provides exhilarating moments, military might isn’t the only path to victory: diplomatic channels can be equally effective in expanding your influence across star systems. The game stands out for its deliberately measured pace and spectacular space confrontations that leave players in awe.
Release date: 2015 | Developer: Relic/Gearbox Software
Widely regarded as one of the finest single-player RTS campaign experiences ever created, this masterpiece has been meticulously restored by Gearbox. Watching vast armadas of spacecraft traverse the game’s vibrantly rendered cosmic landscapes creates breathtaking moments of visual splendor. Combat sequences demand strategic thinking and tactical prowess, featuring diverse vessel classes, including imposing capital ships. The Remastered Collection boasts enhanced graphics for contemporary systems and includes both the original Homeworld title and its sequel.
Release date: 2019 | Developer: Flat Earth Games
This distinctive interpretation of the space simulation genre incorporates familiar trading and exploration mechanics from titles like Elite Dangerous, while offering an experience reminiscent of submarine command. Rather than direct space views, players operate within functional chambers filled with displays and equipment. The gameplay demands extensive management skills as you simultaneously handle multiple responsibilities: navigation, engineering, and communications. Despite the constrained perspective, the game successfully conveys the sensation of piloting a spacecraft through the cosmos.
Release date: 2024 | Developer: Arrowhead Games
While the initial surge of players in Helldivers 2 has stabilized, this third-person alien combat game maintains its appeal. Players serve as frontline soldiers, traversing various planets to eliminate hostile insects and automated threats through coordinated teamwork and special command inputs that summon devastating orbital strikes. The game delivers everything fans would expect from a Starship Troopers-inspired experience: spectacular explosions, amusing mishaps, and strong team dynamics.
Release date: 2023 | Developer: Zeekerss
Lethal Company presents an elegantly straightforward concept: You and your companions, adorned in distinctive orange jumpsuits, undertake perilous missions to salvage valuable items from abandoned space stations teeming with unimaginable terrors. This first-person survival horror experience masterfully balances spine-chilling encounters with moments of unintentional comedy as players awkwardly navigate through treacherous environments in search of precious loot. The implementation of proximity-based voice communication and hazard-filled planetary landscapes creates one of the most dynamic and unpredictable multiplayer environments currently available. When you’re accompanied by three other profit-hungry astronauts stumbling alongside you, the vast emptiness of space becomes the least of your concerns.
Release date: 2013 | Developer: Digital Extremes
Describing what Warframe, the dynamic third-person action game/MMO hybrid, encompasses would be a more challenging task than listing what it doesn’t include. Players can gracefully navigate through its captivating narrative utilizing various specialized ‘frames’ while engaging in diverse activities such as personalizing their spacecraft, performing space-themed musical compositions, and capturing memorable moments through photography. Digital Extremes continuously expands its science fiction universe with regular content updates. The most appealing aspect remains its completely free-to-play nature, welcoming all players to join this extraordinary adventure.
Release date: 2013 | Developer: Keen Software House
Extract valuable resources from celestial bodies, then transform them into impressive floating structures, operational spacecraft, and numerous other constructions. Navigate through space using personal jetpack technology or construct gravity generation systems for secure movement across larger asteroids. This title stands as one of the most engaging cooperative construction-focused experiences available on PC.
Release date: 2003 | Developer: CCP Games
Experience an alternate existence among the stars! EVE Online offers an unparalleled PC gaming experience as a massively multiplayer RPG where player actions shape every aspect of the universe. This vibrant galaxy hosts thousands of capsuleers engaged in combat, commerce, resource extraction, and exploration. Venture beyond the initial security of your police-protected starting system to discover a merciless cosmic frontier where piracy, espionage, and deception flourish. Whether participating in massive space conflicts involving substantial real-world currency or embarking on solo expeditions through New Eden, EVE delivers an unforgettable gaming experience.
Release date: 2017 | Developer: Bungie
Bungie’s captivating FPS/MMO fusion showcases some of the most visually stunning extraterrestrial environments available on PC. From Earth’s verdant, crumbling remnants and Europa’s desolate ice fields to the ethereal splendor of The Dreaming City, every destination offers an enchanting backdrop for the game’s signature loot-and-shoot gameplay. While Bungie has retired certain planetary locations to storage, the narrative continues to expand with each new expansion, accompanied by thoughtful refinements to its distinctive class system and equipment options.
Release date: 2016 | Developer: Hello Games
This title presents one of gaming’s most vibrantly chromatic sci-fi realms on PC, with its seamless transition between cosmic void and planetary surfaces standing as a remarkable technical achievement. Through continuous updates, the integration of features such as base construction, mission systems, and genuine multiplayer functionality has significantly enriched the gameplay experience upon planetary exploration. The procedural generation algorithms have been enhanced to create more exotic and visually appealing planetary landscapes.
Release date: 2015 | Developer: Squad
Challenge yourself against gravitational forces and physical laws while designing and launching your own spacecraft into the unknown. This engaging sandbox offers endless possibilities, balancing intellectual stimulation with humorous elements. Successfully breaking free from Kerbin’s atmosphere and achieving a Mun landing with your custom-built vessel represents one of PC gaming’s most rewarding accomplishments.
Release date: 2014 | Developer: Giant Army
This cosmic simulator transforms you into an omnipotent space deity, enabling manipulation of authentic galaxy and solar system models while observing the dramatic consequences of your interventions. Experiment with increasing Jupiter’s gravitational pull to witness our solar system’s collapse, or remove the Sun to observe Earth and its planetary neighbors drift aimlessly through space.
Release date: 2010 | Developer: Vladimir Romanyuk
Seeking a humbling cosmic perspective? SpaceEngine delivers by incorporating the entire known universe into its virtual experience. Begin at Earth, then accelerate to maximum velocity, and witness firsthand humanity’s microscopic presence within the infinite cosmic expanse. This technological marvel enables effortless navigation between galactic systems and planetary exploration. However, beyond its impressive exploratory capabilities, additional gameplay elements remain limited.