Space-based games are one of the largest genres out there, ranging from alien planet expiration to realistic simulators. Whether you’re looking to fight alongside the Rogue Squadron or play simple trading card games, there’s a space game out there for everyone – explore our top picks below.
Why Are Space Games Popular?
Unless your name is Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, the chances are you’re not going to space. This is the allure of space games – stepping into the great unknown. Further, the recent release of images from the James Webb Space Telescope has brought the sheer scope of space into the front of people’s minds. If you want to take a look at the pictures and explore wider space topics, head over to The Space Report.
Star Wars: Squadrons
If you enjoy flying spaceships and have always dreamt of sitting in the cockpit of an X-Wing, now’s your chance. Star Wars: Squadrons puts you into a variety of different space battles, which are 100% immersive. If you play the story, you will have the chance to play on the side of the Sith and the Rebellion. Although you can play this game across the majority of platforms, it’s better played on PC with a joystick, which only adds to the realism.
No Man’s Sky
When No Man’s Sky was released back in 2016, it turned into an instant meme because it was basically unfinished and packed full of bugs. However, since the game was flushed with free patches, the kinks have been ironed out and it has become a true masterpiece. Now, the bugs are a thing of the past as they’ve added fully immersive VR support, more picturesque fauna, new species of beast, and a thrilling multiplayer experience.
Outer Wilds
This is an interesting game that puts you in the center of a 22-minute time loop ending with the sun exploding. Your task is to explore the solar system and find out clues as to why the universe-ending event is happening. To maintain your progress throughout the game, your explorer uses an alien artifact to avoid being turned to dust.
Descent
Descent is a great space game that is often under-appreciated – to the point that CGW likened it to Doom played in a vacuum. Granted, you won’t see blood-strewn corridors as you make your way through spaceship corridors and it wasn’t made by all-star developers, but that doesn’t stop it from being a beautiful space entry. The game is a series of fast-paced 3D puzzles, in which your mission is to rescue trapped colonists. During your escape, it’s a race against the clock before the level turns into an all-engulfing fireball.
Space games are exciting because they let us escape planet Earth for a few hours. You will find many different types of space games, with enough choice to suit all playing styles. The games discussed above barely scratch the surface, so get yourself on the Steam store, strap in for the night, and embark on an outer world voyage.
