planetary travel game

Universe simulator

SpaceEngine is a realistic virtual Universe you can explore on your computer. You can travel from star to star, from galaxy to galaxy, landing on any planet, moon, or asteroid with the ability to explore its alien landscape. You can alter the speed of time and observe any celestial phenomena you please. All transitions are completely seamless, and this virtual universe has a size of billions of light-years across and contains trillions upon trillions of planetary systems. The procedural generation is based on real scientific knowledge, so SpaceEngine depicts the universe the way it is thought to be by modern science. Real celestial objects are also present if you want to visit them, including the planets and moons of our Solar system, thousands of nearby stars with newly discovered exoplanets, and thousands of galaxies that are currently known.

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All types of celestial objects

represented

Galaxies, nebulae, stars and star clusters, planets and moons, comets and asteroids

Thousands of known

celestial objects

Known galaxies, stars, planets, asteroids, nebulae are represented using catalogs: HIPPARCOS, NGC/IC, Messier, MPC, NASA Exoplanet Archive and many others

procedural generation

for uncharted regions

Uncharted regions of space feature procedurally generated objects: galaxies, stars, star clusters, nebulae and planetary systems

Incredibly huge

and realistic Universe

Trillions of galaxies with billions of star systems in each, everything is realistically scaled

free to move

around the universe

Seamless transition from the surface of a planet to the most distant galaxies, and free game-like movement with the WASD keys

Easy navigation

many useful tools

Click on any visible object with the mouse and hit the 'G' key to fly directly to it. Search for objects by name, search by parameters within a certain radius, browse an interactive map of the surrounding space and view a map of the current planetary system

Save locations

and name objects

Save a favorite point in space and time and share it with friend. Give a name to any discovered planet, star or galaxy, and write a description for it.

Observe the Universe

Accelerate, decelerate, or reverse the flow of time to see the orbital motion of planets and moons, and watch sunsets and eclipses

Tools to learn

how the Universe works

Read detailed physical and astronomical data of any celestial body using the built-in Wiki system. Look at the orbital path lines of planets and moons, and compare their size side-by-side

3D landscapes on planets

volumetric galaxies and nebulae

Solar System bodies have real terrain models obtained by space probes; realistic hi-detail terrain on procedural planets

Photorealistic

Photorealistic lighting and atmospheric model

Space ships

with realistic orbital mechanics

Pilot star ships with realistic orbital mechanics, Alcubierre warp drives, and aerodynamics in planetary atmospheres

Multilanguage

Localization in 20 languages, with a simple system for creating new translations

Huge modding

Import space ship models, planetary surface textures and terrain, astronomical catalogs, and more

And much more

Movement made possible with free, spacecraft or aircraft mode

``Select and fly`` autopilot to automatically go directly to the object

Automatic binding of the observer to moving objects

Automatic selection of optimum flight speed

Built-in wiki system with descriptions and ability to extend

Ability to import user addons: models, textures, catalogs

3D models of galaxies and nebulae with interstellar dust clouds

Accurate planetary atmosphere models

Controllable space ships

Original music with context-dependent track switching

Localization in many languages, with the ability to add new ones

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T, AMD FX-4100
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 460; 3+ GB dedicated video memory (VRAM)
OS: Windows 10

At the moment, we are no longer accepting donations via PayPal. If you want to support SpaceEngine beyond purchasing it for yourself, consider buying a copy for a friend or simply tell your friends and family about SpaceEngine and why you love it. No matter what you do, we deeply appreciate your support!

The Scale of the Universe 2

Planetarium 2

Falling Sand

Rebuild The Universe

Solar System Simulator

🪐 Planetarium 2 is a great solar system simulation in which you can watch our galaxy in action and see how the different planets and stars interact with each other. Observe how the planets travel their orbits around the sun, including the Earth, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Jupiter. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be an astronaut and see our planet from a different perspective? This is the perfect game to forget about real life for a bit and just get amazed by the wonders of our universe.

Experiment with the planets and objects in space, move the planets and see how this affects their orbit and put other objects in their paths such as asteroids and comets. Use your mouse to move around the universe and use all kinds of options to to see what happens enjoying the breathtaking sight. Have fun in Planetarium 2!

Controls: Mouse

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25 Best Space Exploration Games (on Consoles & PC)

Humans are hardwired to dream of discovery and exploration. We wish to understand what surrounds us, from the bottom of the seas to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

That’s where video games come in.

Few of us will ever stand on the Moon or approach the surface of Mars. Still, developers worldwide are putting in the work to bring us the most exhilarating space-exploration experiences possible.

Whether you’re passionate about setting up a colony on Mars, designing the ship to get us there, or just cruising through the stars, you’ll find something in our ranking of the absolute coolest space exploration video games ever released.

25. Star Conflict (2012)

Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Steam

A favorite space fantasy of many is just piloting their spaceship around shooting down space pirates for cash like Boba Fett.

Developed by Star Gem Inc., Star Conflict focuses on small-scale dogfights in PvE or PvP, where skill determines who lives and who dies.

There’s a wide array of ships to acquire, ranging from agile corvettes to massive destroyers.

Regardless of what you pick, you can be sure you’ll be flying in style. Star Conflict features some of the most bad-ass spaceship designs I’ve ever seen hands-down.

24. Metroid Prime Series (since 2002)

Platforms: All major platforms, too many to list!

Metroid Prime series doesn’t let you cruise around space at your leisure.

But few other games present such well-designed and intriguing planets to explore on foot.

It’s a vicious universe full of ancient races and dangerous lifeforms, and it’s up to Samus Aran to lend a hand whenever something gets out of control.

The game will take you to fuming magma worlds, humid jungle-like biomes, and many abandoned ancient ruins from precursor races like the mysterious Chozo. Not to mention it’s been running on dozens of consoles for years so there’s a lot of variety out there.

23. Mass Effect Trilogy (2007-2012)

Platforms: PC, Mobile, All Major Consoles

BioWare’s Mass Effect Trilogy offers a similar experience.

Commander Shepard visits all kinds of alien worlds while chasing Space Pirates, stopping inter-species wars, and looking for ways to stop the ancient Reapers from ending all life in the galaxy.

Where Metroid Prime presents an isolating exploration experience, half of Shepard’s exploration comes down to meeting and negotiating with local intelligent species.

It’s a story set in a living, breathing galactic community. And it sheds some life on what it could be like to live as a member of a spacefaring civilization.

22. Distant Worlds: Universe (2014)

Platforms: PC

In Code Force’s Distant Worlds: Universe, you’ll have to micromanage trading, colonizing, and waging war for a budding empire. All in a stupidly vast custom-made galaxy.

This colossal scale is what sets Distant Worlds apart from some mainstream titles.

One of its best features is how many elements you can modify whenever you create a new galaxy to play in.

Any small tweak to the variables, which go from the geological to the demographic, can give you an entirely different experience . So yes, lots of replay value here.

21. Eve Valkyrie (2016)

Platforms: PC, PS4

The Eve franchise has been spawning spacefaring games for decades. And while CCP’s main project continues to be Eve Online, they’ve also made some other excellent titles – like Eve Valkyrie.

This space dogfighting simulator puts you directly inside the cockpit of your battleship thanks to VR technology.

Immersion is the top priority, which is why this cockpit is such a work of art.

But immersion means nothing without good gameplay. And this game has fun gameplay in spades.

After some introductory single-player missions to teach you the ropes, you’ll go right into frantic 8-player shootouts that perfectly capture the chaos of space battles.

20. Destiny 2 (2017)

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One

Bungie’s space-fantasy IP isn’t so much about exploring the universe, as it is about defending your homeworld from other spacefaring races.

Still, you’ll experience plenty of alien-world charm while exploring the colossal spaceships of the Red Legion, the corrupted nests of the Hive, or the advanced simulations of the Vex.

Most importantly you’ll get a lot of loot, which you’ll need to overcome the narrative-guided PvE missions or survive in the fast-paced PvP.

19. FTL: Faster Than Light (2012)

Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iOS

While most space-exploration games focus on lush graphics and beautiful vistas, Subset Games’ FTL presents you with a basic GUI representing your ship and calls it a day.

Its unique gameplay is mostly text-based, having you captain your ship towards your destination. All the while doing your best to avoid space pirates and hopefully escaping with your life.

Unless you’re a total master of strategy, there’s a lot of death and failure in your future.

But each time you’ll come back stronger and more prepared for the journey ahead.

18. Observation (2019)

Developed by No Code, Observation plays like a puzzle game and reads like a suspenseful horror story.

You’ll play as Sam, a space station AI charged with helping Dr. Emma Fisher survive a disaster after everyone else in her crew disappears.

That means going around solving puzzles to fix diverse systems and guiding Dr. Fisher through the facilities.

I know that doesn’t sound too exciting, but the thrilling narrative full of plot twists is sure to keep you hooked until the end. Not to mention the voice acting here is just fantastic.

17. Surviving Mars (2018)

Platforms: PC, MacOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One

Haemimont Games’ Surviving Mars gives you a more specific challenge than most open-ended city-builders do: You must survive the ruthless environment of the red planet.

To do this you’ll need to manage energy, oxygen, and many other scarce resources to keep your society going.

This hardcore survival city-builder is among the best I’ve ever played. And the biosphere colony aesthetic is just out of this world.

We’ve even collected some really cool mods for this game well worth checking out. You know, once you’ve played it enough that you want some customization.

16. Star Trek Online (2010)

Platforms: PC, MacOS, PS4, Xbox One

Star Trek is one of the most popular sci-fi franchises to date. And since its inception, it has been all about exploring space and charting the stars.

Fittingly, the free-to-play Star Trek Online MMORPG is among the best options for anyone looking to cruise the sea of stars.

It’s set in a politically unstable universe where massive co-op battles against NPC super-ships are frequent, and everyone is fighting for their place in the galaxy.

Just create your captain, jump into your ship, and start the grind towards greatness.

15. The Outer Worlds (2019)

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

The Outer Worlds, made by Obsidian Entertainment, was hyped by fans as Fallout: New Vegas IN SPACE… all the way up to its release.

While it failed to recreate the same thrilling storylines and detailed open-world experience of New Vegas, this action-RPG is really fun to play.

It remains an exciting, colorful voyage into a world run by ruthless spacefaring mega-corporations.

If putting together a crew of misfits and visiting colorful alien locales in an unforgiving universe sounds like fun, well then for sure try it out.

14. Civilization: Beyond Earth (2014)

Platforms: PC, MacOS, Linux

If rather than an unfortunate pawn, you’d rather play as the factions doing the colonizing, consider Firaxis Games’ Civilization: Beyond Earth.

Although long-time fans of the franchise prefer the classic Civ V over this sci-fi experiment, I do think Beyond Earth does a great job of selling the fantasy of little-by-little carving a place for humanity on an unknown alien world.

Considering most sci-fi turn-based strategy games focus on conquering entire galaxies, Beyond Earth is a nice change of pace with unique challenges that’ll keep you hooked for hours at a time.

13. Homeworld Remastered Collection (2015)

Homeworld Remastered Collection screenshot

If you’re a sci-fi enthusiast, perhaps you’ve played the 1999 classic Homeworld .

It’s the game that follows the story of a nigh-extinct civilization fighting for their right to exist.

Gearbox’s remaster brings you the emotional story of the Kushan in a visually-upgraded form, with some mild tweaks to gameplay mechanics that make this remastered version the best way to play Homeworld.

The 3D space combat is a bit hard to grasp at first. But the excellent narrative makes it worthwhile to learn the ropes. You’ll get sucked in soon afterwards.

12. Space Engineers (2019)

While not everyone has the time and smarts to get a degree in Aerospace Engineering, just about anyone can have fun in Keen Software House’s Space Engineers.

The game features a sophisticated physics engine that serves as the basis for your space engineering projects.

You’ll also have to worry about finding resources on planets and asteroids if you choose to play in Survival Mode. These resources let you make bases and ships able to withstand the dangers of the void, helping you further explore locales such as the Earth, the Moon, Titan, and Europa.

11. SpaceEngine (2019)

As its name suggests, SpaceEngine isn’t so much a game as it is a 3D astronomy program.

This bad boy endeavors to simulate the entire known universe with scientifically-accurate mass, volume, orbits, and other such data. It’s a big undertaking.

While this program, created by developer Vladimir Romanyuk, started its life as a purely educational product, users have access to game-like additions nowadays.

These include things like HD textures that make asteroids, stars, and planets look gorgeous.

Few games in this list come close to the level of detail and realism of SpaceEngine. And with the right settings, it offers some breathtaking vistas.

Check out the main site to learn more.

10. Universe Sandbox (2019)

Universe Sandbox is a physics-based space simulator aimed at making education fun by turning users into all-powerful galactic gods.

What makes this simulation unique is how easily you can tweak values such as gravity and mass.

You can also move anything you want, which becomes an exciting way to see how even the slightest changes can completely transform the Earth and our Milky Way.

Among its best features are the realistic simulated collisions, which will probably happen a lot considering how destructive we all get after being given so much power.

9. Outer Wilds (2019)

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, Mobius Digital’s Outer Wilds presents a simple problem: The nearest star is 22 minutes from going supernova, and it’s up to you to figure out what’s going on.

Easy right?

You’re highly unlikely to find the answers you’re looking for in the first 22 minutes, but this roguelike action-adventure game expects you to keep trying.

Every time you play you’ll find something new. Slowly piecing together the puzzle as you explore the system, one time-loop at a time.

8. Everspace (2019)

Platforms: PC, MacOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Also on the roguelike side of gaming lies Everspace, Rockfish Games’ ruthless space shooter.

Death will happen often here. But both your credits and your knowledge carry over from one run to the next, which is nice.

As you hone your piloting skills and improve your ship, you’ll start making real progress through the game’s fantastic story. And really, it’s fantastic.

If you’re looking for a straightforward game taking place in a beautifully-rendered outer space, you can’t go wrong with Everspace.

7. No Man’s Sky (2016)

Hello Games’ procedurally-generated space adventure promised much and delivered little back when it was launched.

But don’t let that initial scandal keep you from giving it a go.

Over the course of 3+ years with real focus and hard work, we’ve seen developers tremendously improve the game . Basically breathing new life into its previously barren universe.

No Man’s Sky is all about chance encounters. Whether that means finding a cool planet with bizarre lifeforms or just bumping into space pirates when you exit hyperspeed, it’s all here.

Unlike most other space-exploration game, it’s fast-paced. Having you jump from rock to rock in search of fuel and materials to continue your journey towards the center of the universe.

Sound fun? Well give it a go!

And once you get bored maybe try out some mods to bring back the freshness.

6. Stellaris (2016)

If you’re into world-building and sci-fi stories full of bizarre alien races, you won’t find a better game than Paradox Interactive’s grand-strategy space epic.

Stellaris manages to find the middle ground between complex strategy gameplay and custom-made storytelling.

Every anomaly you research has the potential to turn into a multi-episodic story that changes your society forever.

Slowly they add up, weaving a multi-generational epic right before your eyes.

5. Endless Space 2 (2017)

Platforms: PC, MacOS

Developed by Amplitude Studios, Endless Space 2 offers a more focused grand-strategy experience.

Instead of creating a faction from zero, you’ll have to choose a pre-made one.

This may sound like it limits your freedom. But it also let developers craft more cohesive storylines and events, which you’ll slowly uncover as you explore the sea of stars.

It’s filled to the brim with sci-fi tropes like living crystals, space dragons, and ancient superweapons just waiting for you to find them.

If you’re a lore-junkie like me, you have to give this one a try.

4. Kerbal Space Program (2015)

Among the most well-known games on our list is Kerbal Space Program, a physics-based space exploration simulator with an educational focus.

Developed by Squad, this quirky game lets you design, build, and launch spaceships operated by little green men.

It’s full of slapstick humor and ridiculous situations. But it’s all just a ruse to keep you distracted from the fact that you’re learning physics in the process of playing.

It’ll take a while to grasp how to make a space-worthy vessel.

But stuff like calculating the right angle your ship needs to breach the atmosphere will slowly become second nature. Well, if you keep at it.

3. Star Citizen (2015)

Star Citizen isn’t a complete game. Far from it!

And yet, Cloud Imperium Games’ work-in-progress has more content than most AAA titles.

This ambitious MMORPG seeks to give players a complete simulation of what living in a galactic empire would be like, together with some more fantastical elements to keep things interesting.

Whether you want to become a trader, a bounty hunter, or a military operative – it’s all in your hands after creating your character.

While the game doesn’t seem to be anywhere near completion, it already features several unique planets and moons to visit. All of these are littered with resources to obtain, NPCs to meet, and challenges to overcome.

2. Eve Online (2003)

The reason Eve Online remains relevant after all these years is how this MMORPG’s community ultimately determines the course of the game’s story.

Empires rise and fall due to player interactions, whether that be amassing a fleet to conquer their corner of the stars, spying on each other and selling the information to the highest bidder, or forming massive alliances to overthrow a player that’s become too powerful.

It may feel a bit daunting as a new player, trust me.

But CCP Games has been focusing on streamlining the new player experience as much as possible for the last couple of years. Give this a try if you never have before.

1. Elite Dangerous (2014)

On the surface, Elite Dangerous’ title and marketing may lead you to believe that it’s a game about intense dogfights and smuggling resources through vicious enemy territory.

It certainly is all that. But it’s also a game that places a heavy focus on exploration – which is why it takes place on a colossal 1-to-1 representation of our very own Milky Way.

You can get on your ship and travel to the Moon, fly around in Saturn’s rings, or even make a trip to each of the stars making up your zodiac sign’s constellation.

And on the way you’re sure to run into many breathtaking vistas that make the journey 100% worth it.

Whenever you’re tired of exploring you can always engage in the game’s many missions, develop your character, improve your ship, or fight for your faction.

There’s always something to do in Elite Dangerous.

Nelson Chitty

Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.

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The best space games on PC

All the best space games you can play right now on PC.

Singleplayer
Multiplayer
Cool space games

The best space games on PC squeeze all the stars and planets into little worlds for us to visit, explore, or save. Anime fans might like how Honkai: Star Rail zooms in on individual planets for comedic stories and slick combat, and strategy-minded players could lose track of time as they build an empire in Stellaris. And if you have a group of friends who can stomach absurdist horror, Lethal Company should be your next destination. Space games have been around for as long as PCs have been around, so there's a ton of games to choose from. The ones below are playable on most modern systems and aren't a pain to track down. You can find many of them on Steam, and often at a discounted price. Not every game treats space the same way. Some of them are made to be explored with a group of friends, while others are best played alone. We've broken every space game into categories to help you decide which one to dive into.

The best space games

PC Gamer's got your back Our experienced team dedicates many hours to every review, to really get to the heart of what matters most to you. Find out more about how we evaluate games and hardware.

The best singleplayer space games

Release date: 2023 | Developer: Bethesda Softworks | Steam

Starfield opens, like many Bethesda RPGs, in a small location that eventually gives way to a massive open world. But this time, its a whole galaxy. Mountains of loot await you in this sci-fi world full of hundreds of unique quests and characters. Grab a companion and go exploring planets for resources and spots to construct a base in, or build your own space ship. Starfield might not be our favorite Bethesda game, but as far as space RPGs go, it's one of the most expansive ones out there.

Outer Wilds

Release date: 2019 | Developer: Mobius Digital | Steam

A first-person open world game about exploring a small solar system full of weird planets and odd cosmic phenomena. The catch? You're trapped in a time loop, giving you just 20 minutes to explore at a time. Outer Wilds is reminiscent of games such as Her Story and Obra Dinn in the way you piece a puzzle together by discovering and connecting small, often seemingly unrelated details.

Honkai: Star Rail

Release date: 2023 | Developer: HoYoverse | Epic

The turn-based sci-fi RPG from the developers behind Genshin Impact has no business being so good. As a male or female Trailblazer, you join a crew of explorers who travel to different planets to save them from being doomed by the universe's gods. It doesn't have a fully open world like Genshin, but each planet has cities and locations to explore and an expansive storyline that can be both surprisingly comedic and heroic—like any good space opera.

The Outer Worlds

Release date: 2019 | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Steam

Not to be confused with Outer Wilds, which is also a space adventure and also on this list, Obsidian's interplanetary RPG is a comedic action RPG that hearkens back to the studio's days working on Fallout. You and your companions will hop around a solar system full of literally colorful environments and figuratively colorful characters. Corporations are the big bads of the retro space future where you'll shoot up aliens, choose dialogue, and generally make a mess of every planet you show up on if it suits your fancy.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker

Release date: 2022 | Developer: Blackbird Interactive | Steam

Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a game set in the future where cutting apart ships pays the bills, but not much else. This first-person destruction simulator has you learning the craft, taking jobs, and refining your skills so that eventually you can pay off your crippling pile of debt. It's creative and monotonous in a way that blue collar jobs often can be. And it uses that to underline the vital role of undervalued and overworked labor in a world run by billion dollar people and billion dollar corporations.

Read more: Hardspace: Shipbreaker review

Observation

Release date: 2019 | Developer: No Code | Steam The space station Observation has broken away from its Earth orbit and is drifting somewhere near Saturn. Its systems are malfunctioning, a fire has broken out, and the on-board artificial intelligence, SAM, is acting strangely. Things are not looking good for Dr. Emma Fisher, the reluctant hero of this sci-fi thriller from the studio behind Stories Untold. But what's interesting about Observation is that you don't play as Fisher. Instead, you play as the AI. Read more: Observation review

Release date: 2017 | Developer: Fullbright | Steam The crew has mysteriously abandoned the Tacoma lunar transfer station, and you’ve been sent to investigate and recover its precious AI, Odin. This atmospheric sci-fi mystery from the makers of Gone Home is wonderfully written, with a cast of rich, nuanced characters telling a compelling story through interactive AR recordings. Exploring the hyper-detailed station is a delight thanks to the game’s extraordinary attention to detail, and the more you learn about Tacoma, the deeper the mystery gets. Read more: Tacoma review

Alien: Isolation

Release date: 2014 | Developer Creative Assembly | Steam Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen, is hunted through a dilapidated space station by a xenomorph in this incredible survival horror. Taking its cues from Ridley Scott's original 1979 film, it's a masterpiece of slow-burning tension. And the station itself, Sevastopol, is a great example of lo-fi sci-fi, with chunky retro-futuristic tech and eerie flickering lights. One of the most faithful movie adaptations ever, and a great horror game in its own right. Read more: What Alien: Isolation gets right that Alien: Covenant gets wrong

Dead Space (2023)

Best space games on PC: Dead Space remake

Release date: 2023 | Developer: Motive | Steam

Isaac Clarke is an extremely unlucky guy. He's sent to repair a ship, the USG Ishimura, but very quickly finds out that it's stuffed with horrifying alien monsters. Dead Space blends the industrialized horror of Alien and tasks you (in third-person) with chopping up every monster that stumbles toward you. The 2023 remake cleans the game's visuals up, gives Clarke a makeover, and embraces what made the original so atmospheric and suspenseful.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Release date: 2021 | Developer: BioWare | Steam If you’ve ever fantasised about being Captain Picard, in command of your own starship, exploring the galaxy, meeting weird aliens, being confronted with cosmic dilemmas, then the Mass Effect series (especially 2) is that in game form. It’s part Star Wars space opera, part brilliant Star Trek episode, and one of the best sci-fi series on PC. It doesn’t have the freedom of open-ended games like Elite: Dangerous and is largely a linear experience, but it takes you on an unforgettable journey around the galaxy, visiting bizarre planets and getting involved in the lives of the aliens who live on them. We love the whole series, which have been modernized in the Legendary Edition, but we all agree that Mass Effect 2 is our favourite. Unfortunately, the original PC version of Mass Effect 2 isn't great, so you're best option is to pick up the Legendary Edition.

Read more: The Mass Effect games ranked from worst to best

Release date: 2013 | Developer: Chucklefish Games | Steam Terraria-esque survival with a science fiction twist. Hop between randomly generated planets on a starship, hunt alien creatures for food, build colonies and underground bases, and try not to die in the process. A brilliant sci-fi sandbox with a charming art style. Playable races include robots, beings made of solar energy, ape-like creatures, and colourful wingless birds. Read more: Starbound review

Release date: 2017 | Developer: Rockfish Games | Steam When you die in roguelike Everspace, you’re dead. But money earned carries over and can be spent on upgrades, which means you’ll be more powerful for your next run through the cosmic gauntlet. And these perks keep adding up, allowing you to travel deeper into space, and more boldly, with every successive attempt. It’s a compelling loop, and when you die you're never frustrated: just excited to start again, wondering how far you'll make it this time. Read more: Death is the road to glory in Everspace

Elite Dangerous

Release date: 2014 | Developer Frontier Developments | Steam An entire galaxy is your playground in this space sim. Starting with a basic ship and a handful of credits, you shape your own destiny. Do you become a fearsome pirate? A master trader? An explorer? The beauty of Elite is being able to play in a way that suits you. From thrilling dogfights to gentle exploration, there’s something for everyone. And its ships are all an absolute dream to fly, whether it's a nimble fighter or a heavy duty cargo hauler. Read more: Visiting NASA's latest discovery in Elite Dangerous

Heat Signature

Release date: 2017 | Developer Suspicious Developments | Steam In this top-down sci-fi action game you board spaceships and use an array of weapons and gadgets to take out the crew. The genius lies in how much creativity you're given to play your own way, inspired by the best immersive sims. And how you react to the chaos that erupts when your presence on the ship becomes known makes Heat Signature a powerful anecdote generator. Things might not always go to plan, but that's just part of the fun. Read more: 8 sadistic ways to take out guards in Heat Signature

Release date: 2016 | Developer: Ocelot Society | Steam Stranded alone somewhere near Jupiter on an old luxury starship, your only hope of returning home is an AI that has serious emotional problems. You interact with Kaizen using your keyboard, and sometimes it'll be willing to help you. But then it'll change its mind and decide the best thing to do is close the airlock and trap you outside the ship until you run out of air. A clever adventure with the understated mood of a '70s sci-fi film. Read more: Event[0] review

Star Wars: TIE Fighter

Release date: 1994 | Developer: Totally Games | GOG A rare opportunity to be the bad guy in George Lucas’s beloved space opera. With a variety of Empire-themed missions—dogfights, escorts, attacking capital ships—and a story to follow, it’s one of the best Star Wars games LucasArts ever published. Of course, you can replace this entry with Star Wars: X-Wing if you’d prefer to play as the boring old Rebel Alliance. Read more: The best Star Wars games on PC

FTL: Faster Than Light

Release date: 2012 | Developer: Subset Games | Steam FTL mixes turn-based and real-time strategy together to capture the experience of captaining a Star Trek-style spacecraft. It’s a strong roguelike, too, with a backdrop of a familiar yet fun sci-fi universe that comes with its own semi-humorous lore and a neat set of narrative beats that make the journey to its finale endlessly exciting. Being able to name your ship and crew makes it all the more heartbreaking when they die together in enemy space. Read more: The writing in FTL

Release date: 2016 | Developer: Misfits Attic | Steam Despite being viewed entirely through a retro-futuristic computer interface, Duskers is one of the scariest, most tense sci-fi horror games on PC. In it you pilot a fleet of drones searching derelict spaceships for fuel, upgrades, and clues about why the galaxy is so mysteriously devoid of life. The ships you board are crawling with strange creatures, which makes looking for clues in those narrow, dark corridors an especially nerve-wracking experience. Read more: Duskers review

Release date: 1995 | Developer: LucasArts | GOG A mission to divert an asteroid heading for Earth goes awry, sending a group of astronauts to a distant, seemingly abandoned world. Some of the puzzles are maddeningly obscure, even for a LucasArts point-and-click adventure, but the colourful, bizarre planet feels genuinely alien. Great voice acting too, with X-Files star Robert Patrick playing the lead character. Read more: Reinstall: The Dig

Wing Commander: Privateer

Release date: 1993 | Developer: Origin Systems | GOG Fans of the series will argue endlessly about which Wing Commander is the best, but we love Privateer’s darker feel. It’s a rich sandbox in which you can be a mercenary, a pirate, a merchant, or a mix of all three. You jump between systems looking for bounties to hunt and ships to rob, and the first-person dogfights are a thrill. There’s a linear story, but the real joy lies in doing your own thing and carving your own path through the stars.

Take On Mars

Release date: 2013 | Developer: Bohemia Interactive | Steam If you like your space games a little more grounded, try Arma developer Bohemia’s Take On Mars. It’s a space exploration and colonisation simulator largely based on real astro-science. You can build a Curiosity-style rover and explore the surface of the red planet or construct your own Martian colony. A game for folk who want the sci without too much of the fi. Read more: Building a mighty space base in Take On Mars

Objects in Space

Release date: 2019 | Developer: Flat Earth Games | Steam

This unique twist on the space sim shares the trading and exploration elements of games such as Elite Dangerous, but feels more like commanding a submarine. You don't see space itself; just a series of utilitarian rooms full of screens and machinery. There's a lot to manage, and you play several roles at once: pilot, engineer, comms officer. But despite the limited view of your surroundings, you still feel like you're hurtling through space in a starship.

Read more Objects in Space is a very different kind of space sim

The best strategy space games

Battlefleet gothic: armada 2.

Release date: 2019 | Developer: Tindalos Interactive | Steam

A real-time tactics game about giant spaceships clashing in the Warhammer 40,0000 universe. Battles take place on a 2D plane populated by capture points and asteroid fields, and the ships handle like giant, deadly cruise liners. You can unleash fighter and bomber squadrons, launch torpedo barrages and laser attacks, and board other ships. The space battles are involving and spectacular and the campaign is satisfying—especially for 40K fans.

Read more: Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 review

Endless Space 2

Release date: 2017 | Developer: Amplitude Studios | Steam

A stylish game of galactic conquest. Not the broadest or deepest 4X strategy game on PC, but an atmospheric afternoon-killer that blends strategic decision making with a beautiful presentation. Set in a vivid sci-fi universe, the game lets you explore mysterious star systems, discover the secrets of ancient races, build colonies on distant planets, and encounter aliens to meet and conquer.

Sins of a Solar Empire

Release date: 2008 | Developer: Ironclad Games | Steam Mixing real-time strategy with 4X elements, Sins is a game of galactic conquest. Choose a faction, gather resources and become a mighty space-lord. Commanding its real-time wars is thrilling, but combat isn’t always the answer: you can use diplomacy to conquer systems too. A refreshingly slow-paced RTS with some truly massive space battles to stare slack-jawed at.

Homeworld Remastered Collection

Release date: 2015 | Developer: Relic/Gearbox Software | Steam One of the best singleplayer RTS campaigns ever made, and beautifully remastered by Gearbox. The sight of thousands of your ships streaking across the game’s vividly colourful space-scapes is hugely dramatic. And battles are tense and tactical, with many types of ship to command, including colossal battleships. The Remastered Collection looks great on modern PCs and comes complete with the original Homeworld and its sequel. Read more Homeworld Remastered Collection review

Surviving Mars

Read more Objects in Space is a very different kind of space sim

The best multiplayer space games

Lethal company.

Release date: 2023 | Developer: Zeekerss | Steam

Lethal Company has a simple premise: You and a group of orange-jumpsuited friends take on jobs to scavenge derelict space stations filled with unfathomable horrors. This first-person survival horror game is as terrifying as it is ripe for comedy as everyone stumbles around looking for treasure. Proximity voice chat and planets riddled with hazards make for one of the most chaotic multiplayer playgrounds available. The vacuum of space is the least of your worries when you've got three other greedy astronauts waddling beside you. Read more: Lethal Company is a viral hit in no small part thanks to all the intense shouting

Space Engineers

Release date: 2013 | Developer: Keen Software House | Steam

Harvest asteroids for building materials then craft them into floating bases, flyable spaceships, and more besides. You can hover around the map with a jetpack or build a gravity generator to walk safely on the surface of bigger asteroids. One of the best co-op build-’em-ups on PC. Read more: An erratic journey to the Moon in Space Engineers

Release date: 2003 | Developer: CCP Games | Steam Live another life—in space! There’s nothing else like EVE Online on PC, a massively multiplayer RPG where everything is controlled by players. It’s a living galaxy in which thousands of capsuleers fight, trade, mine, and explore together. Break away from the relative safety of your police-patrolled starting system and you’ll find a ruthless, cosmic Wild West, where piracy, espionage and scamming are rife. Whether you’re fighting in a massive space war, where thousands of real-world dollars hang in the balance, or just exploring New Eden on your own, EVE is an unforgettable experience. Read more: EVE Online's most notorious scam took 16 months of commitment

Release date: 2017 | Developer: Bungie | Steam Bungie's addictive FPS/MMO hybrid features some of the prettiest alien landscapes on PC. From the forested ruins of Earth and the frigid barrens of Europa, to the cosmic beauty of The Dreaming City, every location is a pleasure to loot-and-shoot in. Although Bungie has removed a few planets to the recycle bin, the game continues to layer more lore and story with each new expansion, as well as smart reworks to its signature classes and gear. Read more: Destiny 2: The Witch Queen review

No Man's Sky

Release date: 2016 | Developer: Hello Games | Steam This is one of the most dazzlingly colourful sci-fi universes on PC, and being able to seamlessly transition from space to the surface of a planet is an impressive technical feat. The addition of features like base-building, missions, and actual multiplayer in its continuous stream of updates give you a lot more to actually do when you touch down on these worlds, and the procedural generation algorithm has been tweaked to make for weirder, prettier planet surfaces. Read more: The best No Man's Sky mods

The best simulation space games

Kerbal space program.

Release date: 2015 | Developer: Squad | Steam Wrestle with gravity and the laws of physics as you build your own spacecraft and attempt to explore the cosmos. A robust, compelling sandbox of possibilities that’s as funny as it is clever. Escaping Kerbin’s atmosphere and landing on the Mun (without exploding) for the first time with a ship you’ve built yourself is about as satisfying as PC gaming gets. Read more: Kerbal Space Program: Making History review

Universe Sandbox

Release date: 2014 | Developer Giant Army | Steam This space simulator lets you become an all-powerful cosmic deity, manipulating replicas of real galaxies and solar systems and witnessing the (often catastrophic) results of your meddling. Increase the mass of Jupiter and you’ll see the rest of our solar system being sucked into it, or delete the Sun and watch Earth and the other planets drift away confused. Read more Universe Sandbox review

Just really cool space games

Spaceengine.

Release date: 2010 | Developer Vladimir Romanyuk | Steam Do you like feeling small and insignificant? Then play SpaceEngine, which features, incredibly, the entire universe. Or at least the bit we know about. Focus on Earth, then pull back at top speed, and you suddenly become aware of how you’re on a tiny speck of dust hurtling through an endless void. The tech is remarkable, allowing you to travel effortlessly between galaxies and land on planets. But besides exploring, there isn’t much else to it.

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Tyler has covered games, games culture, and hardware for over a decade before joining PC Gamer as Associate Editor. He's done in-depth reporting on communities and games as well as criticism for sites like Polygon, Wired, and Waypoint. He's interested in the weird and the fascinating when it comes to games, spending time probing for stories and talking to the people involved. Tyler loves sinking into games like Final Fantasy 14, Overwatch, and Dark Souls to see what makes them tick and pluck out the parts worth talking about. His goal is to talk about games the way they are: broken, beautiful, and bizarre.

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In this strategy city builder you'll grow your capital through 2,500 years of history

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Nine Most Popular Space Exploration Games You Must Try in 2023

February 28, 2023

Table of Contents

by Danial Ibrahim

Space exploration has always been a subject of fascination for humans. The vast universe, the mysteries that lie beyond our planet, and the potential for discovery have inspired countless stories, movies, and games. With technological advancements and our growing understanding of the cosmos, space exploration games have become increasingly popular in recent years.

These games offer players a unique and immersive experience, from building and managing space stations to exploring distant planets and galaxies. This article aims to provide insights into the nine most popular space exploration games you must try in 2023. There’s something here for everyone, from strategy gamers to fans of action-packed adventures. It’s time to buckle up for a trip to the galaxy like no other.

What Are Space Exploration Games?

Video games in the “space exploration” genre allow players to do just that: explore and interact with space regions that exist only in immersive computer simulations. These games offer a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of space travel and exploration, allowing players to embark on interstellar adventures, build and manage space stations, and even colonize distant planets.

Space exploration games can be found in various genres, including strategy, simulation, action, first-person shooter, and role-playing games, providing players with diverse gameplay experience.

Space Exploration Game Mass Effect Screenshot

The ‘strategy’ genre is considered to be the most popular in space exploration games. Players are entrusted with constructing and administering their space station or colony in these games. They must gather resources, construct facilities, and manage their crew’s needs while defending against attacks from hostile forces. Examples of popular strategy games in this genre include Surviving Mars and Stellaris .

Another popular type of space exploration game is ‘simulation’ game. These games allow players to experience the challenges of piloting spacecraft, including docking, landing, and navigating through asteroid fields. These games often require significant skill and precision, making them particularly challenging and rewarding for players who enjoy a more realistic gameplay experience. Kerbal Space Program and Elite Dangerous are two examples of excellent games of this type.

Action and adventure games are another popular type of space exploration games. These games include intense battles against aliens or other foes and have fast-paced action scenes. Players must navigate dangerous environments and engage in battles while completing missions and objectives. Examples of popular action and adventure games in this genre include No Man’s Sky and Mass Effect .

Finally, role-playing games (RPGs) allow players to create and customize their characters, often with unique abilities and attributes. In these games, players embark on quests and missions, interacting with other characters, making decisions that affect the game’s story and outcome. Examples of popular RPGs include Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and The Outer Worlds .

9 Most Popular Space Exploration Games

What are the nine most popular space exploration games? What unique features and gameplay mechanics do they possess? Prepare to embark on an intergalactic adventure as we look at the best space games for pc available today.

No Man’s Sky

Developed and published by Hello Games, No Man’s Sky was first made available to the public in 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PC. Further releases included Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. While No Man’s Sky takes place in an unbounded world, players can discover its many planets, star systems, and galaxies.

No Man’s Sky’s gameplay centers around exploration, survival, and trading. Players can travel between planets and star systems using a spacecraft, discover new worlds, and mine resources to upgrade their equipment and spacecraft.

The game features a day-night cycle, different weather conditions, a variety of unique and exotic creatures and plants to discover and study. No Man’s Sky is also known for its multiplayer features, allowing players to interact and collaborate in various ways. Players can join to form a civilization, share resources, compete in races, and engage in space battles. The game also features a shared universe, meaning that all players can exist in the same universe and potentially cross paths with each other.

Using complex algorithms to develop infinite planets, star systems, and galaxies, No Man’s Sky ensures no two players have the same experience. The game’s developers have also released several significant updates since its initial release adding new features, improving gameplay mechanics, and expanding the universe.

Screenshot of a Fight From a Space Exploration Game No Man's Sky

Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds is a space exploration game released on May 28, 2019, for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One. It was later released for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Mobius Digital and published by Annapurna Interactive, the game has received excellent reviews for its unique gameplay, compelling story, and stunning visuals.

The game’s story revolves around a time loop, where the player character wakes up at the beginning of the loop every time they die. Gamers only have 22 minutes before the universe ends, and the time loop resets, meaning they must make the most of each run to uncover new clues and progress through the story.

The goal is to explore a miniature solar system, uncover the secrets of an ancient alien race, and ultimately find a way to prevent the universe from ending. Players must navigate treacherous terrain, deal with hazardous environments, and manage their resources to survive.

Outer Wilds has a Metacritic score of 85 for PC and 87 for Xbox One, with many reviewers calling it one of the best games of all time. It has also received positive feedback from players, with an overall user rating of 10/10 on Steam based on over 40,000 reviews.

Another unique feature is the game’s emphasis on exploration and discovery. The game world is open and nonlinear, with many secrets and hidden areas to uncover. Players must use their skills and intuition to find the mysteries of the game’s universe.

Master of Orion 1 & 2

Master of Orion 1 and 2 are classic turn-based strategy games released in 1993 and 1996, respectively, by MicroProse. Those space games for pc are set in a futuristic sci-fi universe where the player takes on the role of a leader of a galactic empire, tasked with expanding their influence, managing resources, and engaging in diplomacy and warfare with other civilizations.

Both games in the Master of Orion series received much praise upon their first releases, cementing their reputation as one of the finest strategy games ever. Master of Orion 2, in particular, was praised for its improved graphics and gameplay mechanics, building upon the already successful formula of the original game. The game’s mechanics involve managing resources, building colonies, researching new technologies, and engaging in diplomacy and combat.

Players must balance their economy, maintain their military forces, and negotiate with other civilizations to ensure their survival and dominance in the galaxy. One of the unique features of the Master of Orion games is their deep and intricate tech tree, which allows players to research new technologies and upgrades for their empire, including new ship designs and weapons. The games also offer various customization options, allowing players to create custom races and playstyles.

Another notable feature of the games is their focus on diplomacy and player choice. Players can engage in diplomacy with other civilizations, negotiating trade agreements, alliances, and treaties. However, if necessary, players must also be prepared to engage in combat, as other civilizations may become hostile or threaten the player’s territory and resources.

Kerbal Space Program (Space Flight Simulator)

An independent game developer, Squad, released their space flight simulator, Kerbal Space Program , in 2011, while Kerbal Space Program 2 was released recently. The game allows players to design, build and fly their spacecraft as well as explore and colonize different planets and moons in a fictional solar system.

Kerbal Space Program has received critical acclaim for its engaging gameplay, educational value and stunning graphics. The game has been praised for its realistic physics engine, which accurately simulates the effects of gravity, air resistance, and other physical forces.

Players can design and build spacecraft from various parts such as engines, fuel tanks, and structural components. They must then pilot their spacecraft through different missions, such as launching satellites, docking with space stations, and landing on other planets and moons.

One of the unique features of the Kerbal Space Program is its emphasis on realism and education. The game allows players to learn about the science and physics of spaceflight along with the challenges and risks of space exploration.

The game’s modding community is also noteworthy: an active and vibrant community with thousands of different mods available that add new parts, features, and gameplay mechanics to the game.

Space Exploration Game Space Program Rocket Upgrading Screenshot

Mech Arena (Multiplayer Space Pilot Game)

Mech Arena is a mobile multiplayer game first released in 2020 by Plarium Global Ltd. It allows players to pilot giant mechs (mechanized robots) in fast-paced, action-packed battles against other mechs players worldwide.

Positive reviews have been written about Mech Arena’s exciting gameplay, beautiful visuals, and user-friendly interface. There is a wide variety of mechs, each with different skills and advantages. Players can pilot these through various maps and game modes, including team deathmatch, capturing the flag, and domination. Players must use their mechs’ weapons and abilities to outmaneuver and outgun their opponents while using terrain and cover to their advantage.

Mech Arena’s upgrading system is a standout feature. Players can upgrade their mechs with new weapons, armor, and other equipment, allowing for customization to suit their playstyle and strategy.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is a remastered collection of the original Mass Effect trilogy, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. In May 2021, the game came out on PC, PS4, and XB1, with backward compatibility, PS5, and X/S consoles.

This version also includes updates from earlier releases, such as Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3, featuring improved graphics, performance, and gameplay mechanics. The game also has all downloadable content released for the original games as well as various quality-of-life improvements and tweaks.

The Mass Effect trilogy is one of the finest video game series ever. Bringing the franchise to life for a new generation of players is one of the many reasons the Legendary Edition has been so well received. The game’s storyline follows the journey of Commander Shepard, a human soldier embroiled in a galactic conflict between several alien species.

The game’s mechanics involve role-playing, exploration, and third-person shooter gameplay. Players can customize their version of Commander Shepard and recruit a diverse cast of characters to join their crew and aid them in battle. The game also features branching dialogue trees and decisions that can have significant consequences for the storyline and its characters.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion (Space Strategy Game)

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is a real-time strategy game created by Ironclad Games, published by Stardock. The extension to the original game was published in 2012. It has a vast and immersive galaxy for players to explore, where they may fight in epic space wars while constructing their empires.

The plot of the game takes place in the far future, as three groups – the Trader Emergency Coalition, the Advent, and the Vasari – compete for dominance of the galaxy. Gamers may lead their troops to victory by traveling the universe, acquiring resources, and fighting in tactical battles as one of these factions.

This game combines real-time strategy with 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) gaming principles in an innovative way. To produce cash, players may construct and customize their ships, research new technologies, and develop trade routes. In addition, the game has a dynamic economic system that influences the player’s capacity to construct and expand their empire.

The focus on tactical combat in space is one of the game’s distinguishing qualities. Gamers may fight in large-scale battles with hundreds of ships on-screen simultaneously, utilizing a range of weaponry and strategies to gain advantage. The game also has a “phase leap” engine that lets players instantaneously transfer their fleets through the galaxy, making it simple to conduct surprise assaults and defend against invasions.

Astroneer (Space Exploration and Survival Game)

Astroneer is a famous space exploration and survival game developed and published by System Era Softworks. The game was initially released in 2016 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One and later for PlayStation 4.

In Astroneer, players take on the role of an astronaut tasked with exploring a vast, procedurally generated universe to gather resources to sustain life and build new structures and equipment. The gameplay of Astroneer centers around exploration and resource management. Players must traverse a variety of unique and challenging planets, each with its terrain, climate, and environmental hazards.

As they explore, gamers can mine resources such as iron, aluminum, and copper to create new equipment and structures as well as gathering oxygen and other materials to keep their astronauts alive.

One of the critical features of Astroneer is its emphasis on creativity and customization. Players can design and build their bases and vehicles, using various modular parts and pieces to create unique and functional structures. They can also use their cars to explore the terrain, including underground caverns and other hidden areas, in search of new resources and treasures.

Astroneer also features multiplayer support, allowing players to collaborate with friends to explore the universe. The game’s multiplayer mode also includes unique challenges and objectives, such as finding and repairing ancient alien artifacts and battling against hostile creatures and environmental threats.

X4: Foundations (Space Simulation)

Egosoft’s X4: Foundations is a space simulation game for Microsoft Windows launched in 2018. The game takes place in a vast and dynamic world, with players taking on the role of a space pilot traveling across numerous sectors, developing their empire, and partaking in commerce, mining, and fighting.

In X4: Foundations, players may pilot several spacecraft with unique strengths and disadvantages. They may also employ and manage a crew and train and assign them to various roles like combat, engineering, and logistics. The game has a robust trade system as well, allowing players to buy and sell numerous commodities across multiple sectors and groups.

The game’s open-ended nature is a central selling point since it allows players to realize their goals and dreams. Users may create trade routes, stations, and industries or even form groups. The game’s economy is dynamic, with prices fluctuating in response to fluctuations in supply and demand.

X4: Foundations also has a complex combat system that allows players to participate in space conflicts with other ships and factions. Gamers may equip their spacecraft with different weaponry and equipment to join in small-scale fights or large-scale fleet warfare.

The deep realistic world of X4: Foundations is another distinguishing aspect. The game has a rich and dynamic world with several factions and sub-factions, each with its ambitions and ties. Players may engage with these groups by accepting missions and contracts changing the universe’s power balance.

Best Space Exploration Game Goes To: “No Man’s Sky”

There are several reasons why No Man’s Sky has gained a dedicated following and is considered by many to be a top space game.

Firstly, No Man’s Sky offers a massive open universe that players can explore endlessly. With billions of planets to visit, each with unique features and resources, players can spend countless hours discovering new worlds and experiencing different environments.

Secondly, No Man’s Sky allows many players freedom and choice. Gamers can choose their paths whether exploring, trading, mining, or fighting, and customize their ships, weapons, and tools to suit their playstyle. The game also offers various modes, including survival, creativity, and multiplayer, to cater to player preferences.

Finally, No Man’s Sky has also become a symbol of redemption and resilience, as it overcame a rocky launch and criticism only to become a highly-regarded game. Developers’ and the community’s dedication and passion have turned No Man’s Sky into a story of triumph and inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Space exploration games offer a thrilling and immersive experience that allows players to explore the wonders of space, build their space empires, and embark on epic intergalactic adventures. The games listed here represent some of the best and most famous examples of the genre, each offering unique gameplay mechanics, captivating storylines, and stunning graphics that transport players to the furthest reaches of the universe.

Don’t miss this bonus article! At Space Impulse, we have a strong passion for cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences. When it comes to the perfect fusion of these two worlds, nothing beats the Metaverse. Take a moment to explore the exceptional article by our wonderful friends at Metaverse Insider: What is Metaverse? Guide into the Future of Digital Reality

Featured image: ResourceLab. Credit: No Man’s Sky

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Best space exploration games

Reach for the stars with the best space exploration games that let you discover alien worlds, dodge supermassive black holes, or become an interstellar trucker.

We're going to infinity, and beyond with our list of the best space exploration games out there.

It’s a big universe out there, and video games have made traversing star systems a common activity. There was a time when space exploration games were limited to certain genres, but now it’s more of a theme, a core idea that defines the philosophies of wildly different titles. In this article, our aim is to showcase some of the biggest and best space exploration games out there. This is not a ranking, and all of the titles mentioned have something interesting and unique to offer despite sharing a common goal: making us feel closer to the stars.

But, what makes a good space exploration game? Well, we like to think they don’t have to be realistic experiences all the time. It’s all about the wonder of going out there and uncovering the cosmos’ secrets. Maybe the task is simply to abandon Earth, or maybe space is simply defining an otherwise simple adventure… or tales of conquest. The journey is what matters, and outer space is inherently the most unpredictable setting we can wish for.

If you’re looking for something more peculiar, you might want to check out our list of the best PSVR space games , or the best Star Wars games . The somewhat extensive list we’ll be exploring in this article isn’t bound to certain franchises or platforms, and we’ve tried to include something for everyone. Now, let’s blast off into the unknown.

1. Outer Wilds

Release date: May 28, 2019
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch

An open-world game on the surface, Outer Wilds takes flight and sends players on a timed adventure across a solar system stuck in a 22-minute loop which ends with the sun going bye-bye. It’s all about the freedom of exploration and figuring out the system’s secrets – each planet is strange in its own way, and an extinct alien race might hold the key to breaking the time loop and stopping the sun from going supernova.

This one’s an easy recommendation for almost anyone looking for a compelling and emotional non-linear adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome and is filled with interesting characters. Of course, it’s jam-packed with puzzles and situations that make your head spin. Take that into account before putting on your space suit.

2. Endless Space 2

Release date: May 18, 2017
Platform: PC

We promised you a bit of space conquest, and Endless Space 2 is the best turn-based, space-set strategy title that you can find right now. It completely behaves like a normal 4X game (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate), but the path to victory is never the same. This sci-fi universe is vast and rich, and so are its possibilities, but one thing always remains true: reaching new systems and colonizing their planets never gets old.

Build an isolated empire, expand your borders across the stars through diplomacy, or let money do the talking to keep your enemies away. Its expansion packs make things weirder and more unpredictable, as if sentient trees which colonize worlds with “celestial vines” weren’t strange enough.

3. Elite Dangerous

Release date: December 16, 2014
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4

Space flight simulation aficionados are familiar with this one, as it’s been dominating that genre for years now, and with good reason. In spite of its steep learning curve, few games are as massive and rewarding as Elite Dangerous – the persistent online universe and a 1:1 scale representation of the Milky Way galaxy houses many gameplay possibilities that move at their own pace.

Elite Dangerous certainly isn’t for everyone, and is more of a lived-in experience that grows with you. Don’t expect to get a lot done in one hour. The journey matters here way more than crossing off tasks. Still, the number of different occupations (from space trucker to pirate) guarantee more than enough variety to keep patient players entertained for hundreds of hours. Furthermore, the Odyssey expansion (released May 19, 2021) introduces an on-foot FPS element to the game, although the community doesn’t seem to be vibing with it.

4. FTL: Faster Than Light

Release date: September 14, 2012
Platforms: PC, Android, iOS

Faster Than Light ain’t a looker, but it’s got it where it counts. It can be largely described as a procedurally generated roguelite, and the goal is to reach an allied fleet in order to deliver a package of critical information. The problem is that there are a bunch of dangerous space sectors between your single spacecraft and the bulk of your allies. Plus, a massive rebel fleet is also chasing you.

The game focuses on managing the ship’s systems and your crew, who are the “blood” that keep the entire thing working. It’s profoundly stressful but highly addictive, and remains one of the most unique space-related indie titles available. Moreover, you get to make some hard decisions as you push forward through the cosmos in a piece of junk, so it’s not all about battling pirates and fixing your ship with little to no resources.

Buy FTL: Faster Than Light at Steam

5. No Man’s Sky

Release date: August 8, 2016
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Everyone remembers how much of a disaster the launch of No Man’s Sky was, but Hello Games turned the ship around in spectacular fashion around a year and a half into post-launch development. With a few more years of massive updates, it now packs an absurd amount of content, so you’ll never be at a loss for anything to do. And, in case you didn’t know, its procedurally generated universe is practically endless and can be fully explored with friends and/or random players.

As stated by the developers, No Man’s Sky captures a sense of exploration and optimism typically seen in the sci-fi literature of the 1970s. That promise was always there, but the original experience was extremely shallow. Now, it feels like one of the liveliest universes we’ve explored in a video game. The first couple of hours might be rough, but it quickly picks up and goes where no game has gone before.

6. Kerbal Space Program

Release date: June 24, 2011

Squad’s Kerbal Space Program (KPS) is another game that may not seem very enticing at first, but contains lots of absorbing ideas and executes most of them in an engrossing and charming manner. It took a while to get KSP out of Steam’s early access program, but the final result has captured countless players’ minds for years, and user-created mods might have something to do with that.

The player controls a space program operated by small humanoids called Kerbals, and the goal is simple: come up with vehicles and plans to explore their star system while avoiding catastrophic failures. KSP plays out like a comedy based on the history of space exploration, and it’s slowly gained a cult following that is now eagerly awaiting the sequel, which launches in 2022.

7. Spore: Galactic Adventures

Release date: June 23, 2009

We know this is an odd pick, but hear us out. Spore: Galactic Adventures was a great expansion pack that turned the basic Spore late-game experience (uneven and mostly shallow) into an exciting set of space adventures. Jumping from one planet to another and exploring every corner of the galaxy became more than just a chore, and the extensive adventure and planet creators gave users even more tools to come up with fun content.

Spore hasn’t aged that well overall, but its Complete Collection is, in our humble opinion, worth revisiting even now. Maxis threw lots of exciting ideas into it, and many of them still haven’t been successfully replicated by more modern titles. We wouldn’t reject a reboot either.

Buy Spore: More Spore bundle at Steam

8. Homeworld Remastered Collection

Release date: February 25, 2015

Relic Entertainment’s Homeworld games are landmarks of the real-time strategy genre, and even bigger triumphs for lovers of good, meaty science fiction. Gearbox Software’s substantial remaster of both titles only solidified their legendary status and made them relevant again. The series has now started to grow past the classic games, but they’re still must-play releases.

As in most RTS titles, the Homeworld games focus on gathering resources to build military forces to crush your opponents, but the plot and worldbuilding that hold everything together make them stand out: the Kushan exiles of the planet Kharak set out on a mission to reclaim their ancient homeworld of Hiigara from the Taiidan Empire. It’s a sprawling epic about space nomads with really cool ships. What’s not to love?

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Fran Ruiz is our resident Star Wars guy. His hunger for movies and TV series is only matched by his love for video games. He got a BA of English Studies, focusing on English Literature, from the University of Malaga, in Spain, as well as a Master's Degree in English Studies, Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. On top of writing features and other longform articles for Space.com since 2021, he is a frequent collaborator of VG247 and other gaming sites. He also serves as associate editor over at Star Wars News Net and its sister site, Movie News Net.

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To Boldly Go: Best Space Exploration Games

For anyone who has ever wanted to explore the vast reaches of space, these games are absolutely essential!

Exploring space in a video game is generally one of two things: the most mind-numbing experience ever or a jaw-dropping adventure. It partly depends on you as to which kind of experience you receive, too; some people just aren't wired to enjoy these kinds of games.

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They're (generally) chill, time-consuming journeys that require the right mindset and the right expectations. But when these games hit just right, they're some of the most rewarding gaming experiences out there. Here are the best space games out there with a heavy emphasis on space exploration.

Updated February 17, 2024 by William Quick: New efforts are being made to get us further into space and make it more accessible to the average person. Since we still have such a long way to go, we should look towards sci-fi games about exploring the stars and visiting alien worlds. Sometimes it's peaceful and other times it's all about danger and conflict like you'll face in the recently released Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader. The space exploration area of gaming has something for everyone and here are some of the best and most entertaining games that we've found about reaching the final frontier.

Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader

Travel through the void to explore deadly space.

If you don't understand Warhammer 40K, here's the gist: It's the far, far, far future where everything is dark, power armor is standard issue, and everything is trying to kill everything else. However, some choose to distance themselves from the conflict and seek their own adventure, like in Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader .

You and a crew of rogues, for lack of a better term, have gotten your hands on a pretty sweet ride known as a Voidship that is built to traverse the darkest parts of space. The destination you're heading for is the Koronus Expanse, a place so dangerous that the Empire won't even send grunts to check it out. This makes it prime unexplored territory full of discovery and hopefully lots of valuable loot and tech to plunder. Maintain your ship, explore the different worlds, and keep your crew in fighting shape for whatever awaits them when they touch down.

Offworld Trading Company

Set up capitalism across the universe.

What's the first thing people are going to do once space starts to be colonized? Well, they're going to set up businesses, of course. Unfortunately, the companies and individuals with the biggest pockets will have a head start in the game, but you can catch up to them with ambition in Offworld Trading Company.

This is a game all about setting up a business that becomes so successful and profitable that it simply can't be confined to one planet. Once you make enough money, you can send off ships and rockets to other worlds to touch down and set up your business wherever you can squeeze it in. As you can guess, maintaining such an empire across multiple planets isn't cheap, but there's no reward without risk in the space market. Go big or go home... to your home planet.

Bethesda Makes A Big Splash In The Sci-Fi Pool

After all the waiting, Starfield launched onto the gaming stage to a very large and warm reception. In this sci-fi RPG, your character evolves as you play and can be any number of personalities, professions, and roles. You've also got your ship to pilot and a loyal crew to travel with you.

This is a game that you could spend the whole year playing and make a small dent in it. The story follows a mystery involving strange artifacts scattered across space that, when brought together, may reveal some unknown truths about the universe. Of course, this means you'll need to travel to different planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. You'll fight other space travelers with a variety of futuristic weapons and even alien life-forms. When you're not fighting, you can explore and talk to the various people of this universe.

A Long Return Journey Across The Stars

Home is where the heart is, and sometimes your heart is on a planet. You get a sense of this from the Homeworld series, which has you leading a race of exiled people on a journey across space to reclaim their home world. It'll be quite a long trip with losses likely, but it's all for the sake of getting home.

Even though you're in new waters, the people are very resourceful and technologically advanced. With the right decisions, you can put together a huge fleet of ships capable of traveling, transporting, and, of course, combat. Space is a dangerous place full of hostile fleets that are just waiting to shoot you down and steal anything of value. Strategic thinking and quick decisions are paramount to survival and success in battle, management, and continuing your journey.

Telltale's The Expanse

Experience the emotions of floating through space and more.

Telltale Games is known for making some of the most narrative-rich games out there, but sadly, had to close its doors to address several issues. The studio has since returned invigorated with new ideas like the episodic sci-fi epic known as The Expanse.

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This original story puts you in the shoes of Camina Drummer, an adventurous astronaut who has been sent on a mission to an unexplored but infamous part of space. As part of a salvage crew, the opportunity to scavenge through the numerous ships that have disappeared in that space is too great to pass up. However, you'll experience tension and fear as things start to go wrong and that there's more to this mysterious Belt than you could have bargained for and that may claim lives in the process.

Land On New Planets And Set Up Society

Since almost all the major areas and places on Earth have already been discovered, all that is left is the rest of space. This is what drives you to the stars in the astronaut boots of an Astroneer working for discovery and exploration for the people and yourself.

This is a very bubbly and colorful space experience that gives you the option to travel to numerous uncharted planets and play around. You'll have a bunch of tools to navigate, study, and gather numerous materials and resources to use. The more you collect, the more you can build to further explore the planet's surface and travel even farther than you could when you first arrived. It also supports future trips into space to visit new planets and have new experiences alone or with others.

All That Matters Is Your Ship And Your Next Job

The work culture has changed in recent years with most people trying to make careers out of self-employment and freelancing. Years before this was the case, there was a game about trying to make a living your way in space called Freelancer.

You're put into the shoes of a spaceship pilot living in a dog-eat-dog universe. You can fly from planet to planet, visiting points of interest to get leads on well-paying gigs. Whether it's delivery, salvaging, or bounty hunting, you'll be able to make your way as long as you keep your ship in shape.

Ratchet & Clank

A furry alien and pint-size robot walk into an adventure....

Duos are popular in all forms because a partnership always has the potential for hijinks, whether they be comedic or action-packed. Both of these can be found in the stylistic sci-fi series Ratchet & Clank , going back to the first installment.

Every Ratchet And Clank Game From Shortest To Longest

The story follows the cat-like Ratchet and his little robot buddy Clank as they adventure across different galaxies, helping where they can. Their exploits allow them to get their hands on several useful gadgets and weird weapons that prove to be surprisingly effective. You'll also fly many ships to get to all the strange new worlds you need to visit.

Kerbal Space Program

Help the adorable kerbals take off.

Space is the final frontier, and it's not an easy or cheap one to explore. Even if you're just going to the moon, you're going to need tons of backing as well as a trained and willing crew like in Kerbal Space Program .

As the head of this program, you'll be leading an adorable organization of creatures in their dream of traveling to the stars. This means you'll need a lot of management and financial savvy to finance interstellar expeditions. Once you get to that point, you'll be rewarded with a chance to see other parts of the ever-expanding universe.

Star Conflict

Don't fight the stars, fight the ships among them.

Despite how much space there is in space, it's still not big enough for sci-fi stories to avoid arranging conflicts between sentient species. In addition to space exploration, there's also the excitement of space combat, which is captured by games like Star Conflict.

Take whatever money and resources you have to put towards a ship that can stand the pressures of space and those of other spaceships. If you want to get ahead, you'll need to fly into battle to shoot down other pilots, taking their parts, and looting for yourself. Space is cold, dark, and crowded, which means you'll have no shortage of spaceship fights.

Endless Space

A moniker taken from our own universe.

Some games stand out for having titles that make an obvious statement but still cause people to think. If the universe is constantly expanding, then it may be infinite and that's the idea behind Endless Space.

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This vast and complex sci-fi strategy game is about expanding among the stars. You'll start by setting up one base on a planet, so you can grow and build up resources to reach out beyond it. Do the best for your planet and people so that they have as much as possible when they set out for new worlds. Just be prepared to defend each of your planets with everything you've got.

High On Life

Become a bounty hunter and rescue talking guns.

High on Life is an interstellar FPS that has you wielding talking guns. As a nameless human-turned-bounty-hunter, your mission is to stop an intergalactic drug cartel from turning all humans into drugs.

This means you'll need to use warp technology to travel to various alien worlds seeking out high-ranking cartel members. You'll also gain the ability to warp in structures and facilities while visiting these worlds and appreciating the endemic wildlife... assuming it's not trying to kill you.

Starship Troopers: Terran Command

Lead the troopers to fight a galactic infestation.

Watching bad movies has become something of a pastime, with one of the most entertaining being Starship Troopers, which came out in the late '90s. Despite this, it has inspired many games, including the recent and well-received Starship Troopers: Terran Command, which challenges people to do better than the heroes.

Following a plot similar to the film, you are leading an organized force of humans against an overwhelming number of all-consuming alien bugs. You'll travel to different locations, raise armies, and build the necessary facilities you'll need to exterminate the extraterrestrial vermin once and for all.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

Chaos is sending in forces and you've got to send them back.

Among tabletop titles is an expansive series taking place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe which is set in the far future full of new technology and endless warfare between various races, hostile monsters, and the forces of chaos. Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters has you leading a specialized team to hunt down some of the biggest threats.

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One of the strongest and most established factions is the Space Marines and a special group called the Daemonhunters has been assembled. This RPG has you gathering a squad of specialized space warriors and chaos slayers as you travel the star rooting out any forces of chaos, such as powerful Daemons and their followers.

NEBULOUS: Fleet Command

A fleet of spaceships awaits your orders.

When you have everything competing to explore the stars, warfare seems inevitable. You never know who or what you're going to encounter among the stars, so your ships must be designed for resilience and firepower. You'll get to command such ships in the Early Access game NEBULOUS: Fleet Command.

This game takes place almost exclusively among the stars as you lead your fleet across the galaxy. As such, you'll need to contend with enemy ships using radar to track them and advanced tech to identify your weaknesses. Use whatever resources you can find to build the most unstoppable fleet and claim galactic superiority.

Spaceships And Laser Shows Light Up The Dark

Voxel graphics are simple and solid, which allows them to support grand-scale projects like Avorion. This is a pure sandbox game that's centered around building your very own with some colorful blocks. You can build by yourself or jump into the co-op mode to build together.

Customize your ship down to the last block and then take it for a cosmic spin. The more you travel, the more opportunities you'll find to fight, harvest, and build an empire to take on the mysterious force that threatens to destroy the whole galaxy.

Halcyon 6: Lightspeed Edition

Turn-based fleet battles and crew missions.

One of the coolest parts of space exploration is spaceships. From fighters to freighters, every single type has the potential to be an amazing vehicle that you'd be tempted to fly across the universe. Thankfully, you'll get command over a fleet of powerful ships in Halcyon 6: Lightspeed Edition to take on the ever-changing vastness of space.

8 Best Games Where You Can Fly A Spaceship

While the game is focused primarily on space combat and looting, there are many times when you'll need to risk visiting unknown and hostile planets. You'll need to send an able-bodied crew to the surface to handle any dangerous species while hoping that the risk will be worth it to find anything that can improve your fleet or crew.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Become a jedi on the lam.

The Star Wars universe is arguably the biggest sci-fi franchise that is still generating unbelievable amounts of revenue. Despite this, the name hasn't had the most stellar track record when it comes to video games, but this has changed recently. Thanks to Respawn Entertainment, players can experience a quality adventure in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order .

Set just after Order 66 eliminated a majority of the Jedi, you play as a surviving Jedi who is on the run while still trying to fight back. To improve your chances, you'll need to take to the stars while stopping by as many planets as you can to train, improve your equipment, and hopefully find some allies. It's a huge galaxy out there, but don't let the Empire have all of it.

Spaceflight Simulator

One way to learn spaceflight.

Although humanity has been to space in several capacities, this is a feat that eludes the average person. That's why there are games like Spaceflight Simulator to help people play out their space-faring fantasies in a fun way that incorporates realistic elements. You're tasked with building an efficient and reliable ship to reach beyond the stars.

It lives up to its sim name with all of its management elements, physics, and all the details that go into every aspect of building your ships and more. While still in Early Access, this game has been a big hit with casual players and space enthusiasts all across the board.

Space Is Hauntingly Poetic

There are many scary things about space, but there's also a lot of beauty in it. Beyond that, what's most intriguing is the mystery of space and the possibility that absolutely anything could be out there, which is both alluring and terrifying. It's poetic in a way which is what comes through in the spaceship adventure RymdResa.

9 Games Where You Can Build A Spaceship

This pixel rogue-type game puts you in command of a ship of your choosing in a universe that's never the same and constantly growing. Fly around getting into battles, collecting materials from celestial bodies, and interacting with strange sentient beings. It's up to you to find meaning in your journey and see if others share your thoughts.

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Video Game News, Lists & Guides

28 Best Space Games That Let You Explore the Unknown

Explore the great unknown.

#28 Starfield

#27 metroid prime remastered, #26 star wars jedi: survivor, # 25 dead space remake, #24 the callisto protocol, #23 spaceflight simulator, #22 the planet crafter, #21 star valor, #20 deep rock galactic, #19 dyson sphere program, #18 astroneer, #17 universe sandbox, #16 mass effect legendary edition, #14 star conflict.

#13 Empyrion – Galactic Survival

#12 Star Wars: Squadrons

#11 starbound, #10 space engineers, #9 ftl: faster than light, #8 everspace 2, #7 stellaris, #6 kerbal space program, #5 endless space 2, #4 homeworld remastered collection, #3 eve online.

#2 No Man’s Sky

#1 Elite Dangerous

Space exploration games have only really been popular within the last few years because of the fact that games have allowed for more exploration. Some of the games that have been released have given players lasting experiences and narratives that have changed their perspectives on what video games can achieve. Check out our list of the best space games that let you explore the unknown and even take some of your friends along for the ride.

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?

Platform: Switch Release Date: February 08, 2023

For intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, there’s no such thing as an “easy mission.” In Metroid Prime Remastered, you’ll see the start of the “Phazon Saga” with updated graphics and mechanics. You’ll head to the mysterious planet Tallon IV.

There, the villainous Space Pirates, headed up by Ridley, are trying to do experiments with the Phazon substance. But what are their end goals? What makes Phazon so powerful? Furthermore, what makes Tallon IV so dangerous?

You’ll find out after you end up on the planet and have to search its remains to expose the truth, regain your abilities, and stop their plans.

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S Releease Date: April 28, 2023

Steam | Playstation | Xbox

It was only a matter of time before this franchise embraced the open-world feel of numerous other games and made it their own. Star Wars Jedi Survivor will have you play Cal Kestis again, and you’ll once again explore the numerous worlds, moons, and stations of the galaxy far, far away. However, this time, you’ll get to go to places with a bit more depth.

Specifically, you’ll go to worlds where you can go off the beaten path and unlock new side missions. Or, you can return after learning new powers and abilities and see what new options you have available to you.

So don’t be afraid to take a beat and see what these worlds offer you.

Developer: Motive Studio Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc. Platforms: PC PS5 XSX|S Release: January 27, 2023

When it comes to space, the true terror is never knowing what will happen next and what you’ll encounter in the next stretch of it.

In the Dead Space Remake, one of the most horrifying space stories will unfold before your very eyes. You’ll play engineer Isaac Clarke, who was brought aboard a mining ship called the USG Ishimura to help fix what was wrong with it.

But the moment you arrive, you learn the truth. There’s more than one thing wrong here. There are monsters everywhere, the crew is dead, and your girlfriend is missing.

Explore the ship, fight anything that moves, and do your best to survive the experience.

Developer: Striking Distance Studios Publisher: KRAFTON Release Date : December 02, 2022 Platfrom: PC PS4 PS5 XSX|S Xbox One

Exploring the unknown is always a dangerous task. After all, it’s the unknown. You don’t know what’s behind the next corner or in the next room. The Callisto Protocol takes that notion and amplifies it to a terrifying level.

The “unknown” in the game revolves around a prison colony on one of Jupiter’s moons. An outbreak of unknown origin has caused monsters to be born, and they’ll kill everything they see. You play one of the prisoners trying to break out. But how can you escape a place where monsters are everywhere, and weapons are few?

Venture forth and discover the answer, or die trying.

Release date: November 29, 2017
Developer: Moroyna Limited
Publisher: Moroyna Limited
Platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Macintosh operating systems

Have you ever seen a rocket launch into space and wondered how it got to that stage? Spaceflight Simulator will help answer those questions while also letting you create a spacefaring craft.

You’ll start simple as you’ll make a rocket ship and send it up into space. Or at least, that’s what you’ll try to do. The making of a craft will be easy, but making it work is another matter. Learn about the parts and components needed to make spacecraft powerful enough to go into space, and then land safely back on Earth.

Once you’ve made the best ships, go bigger and launch satellites and space stations! Then explore other planets and lead your space agency into a new age of exploration.

Release date: July 15, 2021
Developer: Miju Games
Publisher: Miju Games
Platform: Microsoft Windows

The act of terraforming is one that many scientists would love to use to colonize inhospitable worlds. The problem is that it would take a lot of time, resources and in the real world is unfeasible. But in the gaming world? It’s just a matter of time to get it done. The Planet Crafter will set you out as an astronaut who has to terraform a planet to make it livable for humans. You’ll start small by gathering resources and building up the machines you’ll need to change the planet. Make the atmosphere breathable, get the ground to be fertile, the water to a state it can be drank, and so on. Just remember, you have to survive before anyone else can arrive. So keep yourself healthy, and build a better world.

Release date: July 14, 2018
Developer: Rafael Burgos
Publishers: Laious, Rafael Burgos

Star Valor puts you in a procedurally generated galaxy and lets you decide what person you want to be. You’ll have your ship at the start of the game and can point it in any direction you want to do whatever you want.

Will you join one of the factions of the galaxy and try to get fame by working with them? Will you stay an independent pilot and venture through the stars on adventures only meant for you?

Your destiny is in your hands. You’ll grow your character however you wish, improving your skills and craft by doing missions, bounties, mining, and so on.

Just remember that a galaxy is full of dangers.

Publisher: Coffee Stain Publishing
Developer: Ghost Ship Games
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5
Release Date: May 2020

Besides being a 4-play cooperative adventure game in space, you’ll be able to take advantage of exploring different cave and tunnel systems that are procedurally generated to be different every time you enter. As space dwarves, you will be tasked to carry on many different kinds of missions like mining for materials and stealing alien eggs with the objective of returning back alive. You can choose from four different classes, each with their own unique gameplay and weapons that you can use against the enemies that you will encounter. It spent almost two years in early access and has definitely become a fan among groups of friends.

Publisher: Gamera Game
Developer: Youthcat Studio
Platform: PC
Release Date: January 2021

The first game on our list that is still in early access, Dyson Sphere Program lets you explore the unknowns of space in a pretty unique way. Players will be in charge of collecting resources in order to create what is known as a Dyson sphere to sustain power to a supercomputer. You will spend most of your time constructing structures, collecting resources, and creating power systems all to help support the Dyson sphere. Eventually, you will be able to expand this sphere to other planets across the universe as you grow and sustain more and more power. If you’re a fan of factory simulation games like Satisfactory and Factorio, this will be right up your alley.

Publisher: System Era Softworks
Developer: System Era Softworks
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
Release Date: February 2019

Astroneer really gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to a space adventure that really lets you explore the atmosphere around you. It is a sandbox adventure game that allows you to explore open-world planets and terraform them according to how you please. You can craft items to help make the former easier like rovers, generators, solar panels, and more and then can upgrade them according to the resources that you collect via terraforming. You can play with others to complete the objectives on every planet but don’t expect there to be any sort of overarching background storyline. Just try to unlock as many blueprints as you can!

Publisher: Dan Dixon
Developer: Dan Dixon
Release Date: October 2012

While this game is here, it isn’t so much a game more than it is a simulation. You will quite literally be able to explore different galaxies and run effects on them to simulate things like gravity, asteroid collisions, and more. The project has been in development for a very long time and is used in many educational aspects. Still, it’s fun to take control of moons and planets as well as watch famous collisions that really couldn’t be experienced otherwise. Although this game is very fun in its own right, don’t really expect to be getting down with space exploration through the late hours of the night with your friends.

Publisher: EA
Developer: Bioware
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Date: May 2021

This choice happens to be one of my personal favorites on this list. You play as Commander Shepard through all three titles in this collection as they travel the universe in search of different objectives with their crew. Shepard can either be male or female and every game consists of a crew of characters that not only could you explore various planets with, you could also start romantic relationships with them. All three of these games focus on a morality system that affects how other characters react to you as well as how certain missions can end. Each of these games comes with their DLC which includes even more content for players to enjoy on top of the incredible storyline that connects them all together.

Developer: Maxis
Platform: PC, Mac
Release Date: September 2008

I genuinely remember when this game came out and being so excited to come home and create strange new lifeforms with my friends after school. If my memory serves me well, you quite literally develop organisms all the way from microscopic lifeforms to complex creatures. As you create more, they begin to interact with each other and with other creatures that they meet on other planets in the universe. There are different phases that the organisms go through that end up with players trying to reach the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. It was a lot of fun then and it is certainly still a lot of fun now.

Publisher: Gaijin Entertainment
Developer: Star Gem Inc
Platform: PC, Linuc, Mac
Release Date: July 2012

Star Conflict has players controlling one of four basic ship classes combat spaceships that each have different roles. It is an MMO that requires players to establish certain skills and perfect different tactics to destroy one another in different game modes. There is also a dedicated co-op mode that allows players to fight against NPC and bosses with up to three friends. The more you play, the more available maps and ships there will be for you to play with so take advantage of learning which squads are the best and then take to the skies with your friends in this free-to-play space adventure.

#13 Empyrion – Galactic Survival

Publisher: Eleon Game Studios
Developer: Eleon Game Studios
Release Date: August 2015

Another title on our list that spent a lot of time in early access, Empyrion – Galactic Survival left early access in 2020 after being compared to other titles like No Man’s Sky. Players crash land on a planet where they are forced to survive against hostile enemies. You’ll be able to forage for resources and materials in order to build objects including bases and vehicles to better help you survive. There is also a multiplayer aspect where players can interact with one another and trade items or even engage in combat. This is a fun title to play with your friends if you’d like a relaxing experience in space.

Developer: Motive Studios
Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox One Series X/S, PS4
Release Date: October 2020

Star Wars: Squadrons begins after the destruction of Alderaan with Darth Vader having ordered all Imperial forces to hunt down any refugees who managed to escape. It’s a first-person space combat game which means that you are behind the cockpit of a starfighter from either the Galactic Empire or the New Republic navy. You’ll find yourself deeply immersed in the gameplay and multiplayer combat that includes dogfighting in a team deathmatch mode called Dofight and a team battle called Fleet Battles. If you’re a fan of the Star Wars series and are looking for something to play with your friends, you’ve come to the right list.

Publisher: Chucklefish
Developer: Chucklefish
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
Release Date: July 2016

Starbound is fun because it utilizes a pixelated graphic style that a lot of the other games on this list don’t take on. There is an overarching story but players are more expected to travel to different planets and collect resources in order to survive and explore across the universe. You’ll spend most of your time in a space shuttle that acts as your vehicle to get from place to place as well as an upgradable asset of yours. You’ll be able to customize it to your liking and join other NPCs or players on quests through different classes that you can choose from to complete different objectives.

Publisher: Keen Software House
Developer: Keen Software House
Platform: PC, Xbox One

Space Engineers is another sandbox game on our list as well as another that saw early access for a long period of its lifetime. Players start either in a specific setting with different parameters that are chosen by the players. Once you start, you can basically expect to mine for resources and materials to create structures and other items to fill out your world. It is very similar to Minecraft in the sense that you are given free rein over creation to better accentuate the type of world you are in and the kind of resources you require. Also like Minecraft, there is a creative mode where you can take control of how many resources you have and how you would like to build without having to worry about mining or searching for them yourself.

Publisher: Subset Games
Developer: Subset Games
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS
Release Date: September 2012

The name of the game partly comes from the fact that players are in control of a spacecraft that has the ability to travel faster than light. Players have to use their created ship to battle against enemy ships and configurations. Different species of crewmembers can join your ship with each having their own unique set of skills and abilities that could benefit you in different ways. You’ll have to carefully maneuver through fights to come out on top as the victor while also managing to get to the Rebel Flagship to either lose or win against the Rebellion: an exclusively human and incredibly xenophobic rebel faction.

Publisher: ROCKFISH Games
Developer: ROCKFISH Games
Release Date: June 2020

If you’re looking for a focus on energetic combat and exploration as well as looking for blueprints and graphics while you plot galactic domination, then Everspace 2 might be for you. Eversapce 2 brings RPG and shooter elements together to create a game that is rich in puzzles and loot. There is a dynamic story that will blow you away with a range of NPC and friends who will join you and create more side quests for you to complete. You’ll experience dynamic battles and immersive scenarios that will make you want to lose yourself in the discovery. Not only that, but you’ll also have access to tons of weapons for you to collect and upgrade that will definitely make the story that much more interesting.

Publisher: Paradox Interactove
Developer: Paradox Development
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: May 2016

Stellaris is a real-time strategy game that quite literally takes you through the expanse of space, creatures, and all. Each player plays as a government of a species that are beginning their journey into the exploration of space. As you progress through the game and meet other species and the personalities that they bring, the story will change and focus on things like universal domination that rely on the ethics of your choices. There are a ton of different ways to play this game and lots of different narratives and stories to explore that will definitely have you mindlessly flying through the expanse of space. There is also a major focus on resource collecting and structural upgrades too so there is plenty for you to do either by yourself or with friends.

Publisher: Private Division
Developer: Squad
Platform: PC, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox One Series X/S, PS4, PS5
Release Date: April 2015

Kerbal Space Program is a fun space exploration game where you play as Kerbals – green little aliens – who live on a spaceport where they can create things like rockets and rovers. There are three different game modes that let you either construct things at your leisure or follow a story mode that lets you earn funds and complete contracts. There is a lot of silly fun to be had in this game and you will soon find yourself playing through the intense physics engine offered. There have been a few DLC releases over the years that add more elements to the game as well as even more physics simulations for added fun.

Publisher: Sega
Developer: Amplitude Studios
Release Date: May 2017

Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy game that takes place in the great expanses of space. You take control of one of 12 factions after all of the added DLC each with their own unique abilities and skills to explore planets and take advantage of their resources and materials. You are also given an empire that you can expand using the materials you find to eventually fight against other empires. You can build armies of ships and troops to fight for you and take advantage of the different kinds of strategies that you can come up with. You can play this in singleplayer mode or gather your friends to battle against their empires.

Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Developer: Gearbox Software
Release Date: February 2015

Experience an intense space story with an RTS strategy that lets you build an armada of troops for more than 30 single-player missions. This collection includes the first and second Homeworld Remastered games as well as the multiplayer and the original Homeworld titles. You’ll have access to more than 100 ships with new textures that will allow you to race and join other game modes that will let you engage in space battles on an epic scale. Solidify your fleet formations and secure the unit types you want to use as you explore space in a completely new way with mod support and even in-game mod tools that you can take advantage of.

Publisher: Simon &Shuster Interactive
Developer: CCP Games
Release Date: May 2003

Eve Online has been around for almost two decades and has been just as popular the entire time. The game takes place 21,000 years in the future and has players creating ships and battle units to battle one another and collect resources in a massive MMORPG. There have been situations in the past where complete wars have broken out in the game that have involved many players and forum arguments. It is in the same vein as games like World of Warcraft where there are fandoms of players that have been with the game since its inception and would be more than happy to welcome to players to the meta. There are four playable races that you can choose from that each have their own lineages and narratives that further expand on the gameplay.

#2 No Man’s Sky

Publisher: Hello Game
Developer: Hello Games
Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Release Date: August 2016

No Man’s Sky is one of my favorites on this list. When it first came out, there wasn’t a whole lot that players were able to do although it offered a large expanse of universal exploration with different alien races coupled with their own languages. Now, there are tons of things for players to do including creating structures and collecting NPCs that offer different elements to your space stations. You can even purchase and upgrade ships and even travel to find large cruisers for even larger crews and resources. There isn’t an overarching story but there are a bunch of small missions and events that you can take advantage of that will let you better communicate with the aliens that you will encounter and build better ships and multitools as you progress.

Publisher: Frontier Developments
Developer: Frontier Developments
Release Date: May 2015

Elite Dangerous is another that allows you to take control of a ship in an open-galaxy where you are asked to trade, mine, and search for resources. There are other missions as well including assassinations and bounty hunting that you can play by yourself or with your friends in multiplayer and competitive arcade modes. There are three major factions that players can choose from each with their own missions and rewards for you to earn. There are rankings that players can earn as well that will grant you combat experience and shop discount prices for shop items. If you happen to have VR, you can take advantage of a first-person shooter mode alongside the first-person exploration mode.

About Nat Collazo

Nat Collazo is a writer with a little over a decade of experience in the gaming industry after having started as a sign flipper for Play N’ Trade stores while dressed as Mario. Now they spend all of their time writing, forgetting to drink their coffee, and playing Pokemon Masters.

6 Sci-Fi Games That Let You Take Over Different Planets

These great sci-fi games let players set out on grand adventures of conquering different planets and discovering unknown worlds.

Whether it’s empire building or simply getting one’s boots on the ground to admire the fantastical and beautiful array of worlds in space, indeed, players can’t get enough of this idea.

RELATED: Classic Sci-Fi Games That Predicted The Future

As part of the generations that were born after the age of explorers (who ventured around the globe) and haven't yet ventured into space, the knack to discover and unearth the mysteries of what’s out there still resonates with many today. In many space-themed games, most players can’t help but be drawn to foreign, mysterious planets. Whether it is done in the first person or in empire-building games where these planets can offer vital resources or strange relics, the idea of discovering and colonizing will entice any gamer who's enamored with space.

6 Outer Wilds

Though technically not a game that allows you to take over different planets, this mysterious and awe-inspiring game has players unravel the mystery of a solar system that is trapped in a 22-minute loop, after which the sun goes supernova.

As players land on the various planets within the solar system to uncover the hints and clues left by an ancient alien civilization, each planet that has been thoroughly discovered feels like a puzzle that’s been completed. As there is no strict order in how the game is approached, players can slowly unravel the mystery of this strange and beautiful game.

5 Dyson Sphere Program

In the far future, society exists in a virtual space program and requires power to expand its energy and computational capabilities, players are sent out to harness energy from various planets to create a Dyson sphere. Similar to other factory simulation games, players will gather raw resources to create the ultimate energy machine complex.

As players will spawn on a random planet surrounded by a series of nearby planets and moons, players will need to create an assortment of factories and industries to begin acquiring power and upgrades to harness more energy. Eventually, players will conquer nearby planets and convert their surfaces into the perfect energy harnessing system ever. Glory to the machines!

Slipways is a game that is more puzzle-based than anything else and will have players connecting planets of different biomes to create the ideal trading network. Through discovery and research, players will link their planets accordingly to ensure the right needs and resources are being created and satisfied.

RELATED: Awesome New Weird Sci-Fi Games To Get You Into The Genre

In a short period, players will have unraveled a portion of space and have several dozens of planets linked together through slipways and various technological innovations. Players will deliberate on where the best links should be and attempt to maximize the profit and prosperity of their ever-growing trade empire.

3 No Man’s Sky

When it comes to exploring and taking over planets, No Man’s Sky deserves to be mentioned. Though there are many opinions about the game, the good aspect is that it is a gem for players interested in exploring planets, moons, and of course, getting to name them.

The game is an open-world (or open universe) exploration and survival game that boasts over 18 quintillion planets, which is a helluva lot of planets. Planets have their unique lifeforms and various alien species will be encountered, giving opportunities for combat or trade. The game captures the optimism and excitement of space exploration and amongst other titles on the market, one can’t get closer to that experience than No Man's Sky.

2 Elite Dangerous

Though not on the same scale as the aforementioned No Man’s Sky , Elite Dangerous does offer its unique take on space exploration and planet scoping. In Elite Dangerous , players can feel like Indiana Jones and embark on some exploring, bounty hunting, or alien-blasting adventures. Players have the choice of doing whatever they want in this massive sandbox experience.

RELATED: Haunting Sci-Fi Games About Human Experimentation

That said, this game demands more time from its players as it’s not something people can hop into for 20 minutes. It’s a game that requires a few hours at least as objectives and goals do take time. However, should players give it the time it needs, the experience that Elite Dangerous offers can be truly breathtaking and incredible.

1 Stellaris

Considered to be the ultimate grand strategy space game, Stellaris allows players the opportunity to establish their interstellar empires. From humble beginnings where players control a single planet, players will explore nearby systems and set up new colonies that fit the needs of their species.

As the game progresses, players will research new technologies, build up their fleets, and engage with other space-faring civilizations. Players can be part of new galactic republics or eradicate other species depending on their style of play and their species’ traits. There is a myriad of possibilities and mysteries that exist within the galaxy. But players should also prepare for the end game crisis scenarios that could spell doom for everything they’ve set up.

MORE: Warhammer 40K: Strongest Space Marine Chapters

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Planetary Annihilation Just Got BIGGER

The galactic war between ancient robot factions kicks into high gear with 24 new game-changing combat units, including five IMMENSE Titan-class units! Conquer new worlds and craft new strategies to take advantage of all-new multi-level terrains! Lead thousands of units in interplanetary campaigns across land, sea, air, and space! Destroy entire planets in your quest to dominate the galaxy!

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Game features, enter the titans dominate the battlefield with five mind-numbingly huge titans.

NEW WAYS TO ANNIHILATE! Choose from over a hundred unique combatants, including 24 all-new units!

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL! New planets with multi-level terrain make conquering the galaxy more exciting than ever!

FIGHT YOUR WAY TO THE TOP! Compete with friends in Ranked 1v1, Custom Lobbies, and new Bounty Mode, or play single player with enhanced Galactic War!

SMASH PLANETS! Annihilate whole planets with devastating super-weapons!

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Map pool has been expanded to the best 50 maps from all 12 seasons including 4 NEW maps

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Mid-season ends 2021-06-04 00:00 UTC Season ends 2021-07-23 00:00 UTC Prize pool US$3,000

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System Requirements

OS *: Microsoft Windows 7
Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 10 MB available space
Sound Card: NVIDIA High Definition Audio
OS: Microsoft Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 or higher
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 15 GB available space

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Going on a road trip? These games will help you pass the time

From classics like Scrabble and Uno to newer hits that prioritize conversation and connection, these games will appeal to everyone in the car.

No matter where you’re going on a road trip, travel games can be a great way to pass long hours in the car and create lasting memories.

The best travel games should be small and light enough to pack with you. They should appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. And of course, they should provide hours of entertainment.

With that in mind, the classic card game Uno is our top choice for best overall travel game. It’s compact, fun for everyone, and easy to pack and pull out when the mood strikes.

But it’s not the only one. We considered portable games in several categories too. From classic board games to Ping Pong-inspired matches, here are the best travel games to take on your next road trip.

The best travel games by category

We break down the best travel games based on different categories like board games, card games, and more.

The best travel board games

Purple cow magnetic backgammon .

One of the best travel board games is backgammon, considered the national game in many countries across the Middle East and the Mediterranean. This portable version of the classic board game is magnetized so the pieces don’t slide around. Simply open the case, roll the dice, and play. The board may be smaller, but the strategy remains the same.

Keep in mind: The magnets on the pieces aren’t the strongest but do a good enough job of staying mostly in place.

Product details: Number of players: 2 | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 6 x 3 inches

Portable Puck Shot

Sturdy wooden pucks and a Baltic birch wood case make this portable hockey board game ideal for car trips, camping, or spending a cozy evening in a cabin. You don’t have to be a hockey lover to enjoy this fast-paced game either. It involves a simple sling that fires wooden pucks across the board at your opponent’s goal.

Keep in mind: The Portable Puck Shot game is a bit large and heavy, making it more suitable for a road trip than for carrying onto a plane.

Product details: Number of players: 2 | Ages: 6 and up | Minutes to play a round: 5 | Size: 17 x 10.25 inches

Scrabble to Go

Buy it now on Amazon

It’s not hard to see why Scrabble is one of the most popular board games around. It appeals to players across generations, stimulates the brain, and can spark fun debates. This miniature version comes with snap-in tiles that make it easy to play on bumpy car rides or pick up later, after a break.

Keep in mind: The tiles on this mini version are small, which may take some getting used to for some players.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 4 | Ages: 8 and up | Minutes to play a round: 25 | Size: 10.63 x 2.50 x 10.63 inches

Best travel card games

Song survivor.

This travel card game is a great way to kick off singalongs in the car or hotels after a long day of travel. Developed by Black-owned small business Doin’ The Most, the game involves drawing cards with one word, prompting each player to sing a song containing that word. If a player messes up the lyrics or can’t think of a song in time, they’re out. This card game is designed for players (and crooners) 13 and up, with easy and hard modes to help make the game as challenging as you want.

Keep in mind: Not everyone is into singing outside of the shower, so consider your audience of fellow players before bringing this one along.

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 16 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: travel size

52 Essential Conversations

The premise behind this intriguing travel card game springs from the idea that the art of engaging conversation never goes out of style. It’s a “social-emotional” learning game designed to get players thinking and talking about topics that can help people—including kids—open up, improve social skills, and spark creativity. The cards come in a small tin box, making them easy to keep organized and bring anywhere.

Keep in mind: Although this travel card game is designed for players 5 and up, some questions lean more adult. If you’re playing with a multigenerational group, you can skip the questions better suited to adults or take them out of the deck before you play.

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size: 3 x 2 x 1 inches

This popular family card game is equally fun to play while traveling. You can go head to head with just one other person or as many as 10. The objective is to be the first person to get rid of all your cards. But achieving that goal depends on the luck of the draw. Just don’t forget to shout “Uno!” when you’re down to your last card. We love that this version comes in a sturdy tin for safekeeping.

Keep in mind: This version of Uno incorporates graphic symbols on the cards so players with colorblindness can play too.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 10 | Ages: 7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 3 x 2 x 5 inches

Exploding Kittens

Easy to learn and loads of fun, Exploding Kittens is a cheeky card game loosely based on Russian roulette. Players draw cards, but use strategy (plus special “immunity” cards) to avoid drawing an “exploding kitten” card. With its compact size and lack of any additional game pieces, this card game is a hilarious way to pass the time while traveling.

Keep in mind: This card game is available in English, but other languages (German, Spanish, Italian, and French) are in the works.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 10 | Ages: 7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: ‎4.41 x 6.38 x 1.5 inches

Best travel games for adults

Pepper pong.

This portable spin on ping pong and pickleball is one of the best travel games for adults. About the size of a shoebox, the game sets up virtually anywhere in a matter of seconds. Place the foldable net (called a Fence) on a picnic table at the park or any other relatively flat surface, and you’re good to go. The game’s three ball sizes (called Peppers) give you options for how aggressively you want to play. You can also feel good about purchasing this portable travel game—the makers say they donate a set to a recovery center or addiction-focused homeless center with each set they sell.

Keep in mind: There’s no official age minimum for this game. If you can swing the racket you can play. You’ll need a flat surface to set up.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 4 | Ages: 3 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 12 x 7 x 4 inches

The Hygge Game

Buy it now at Uncommon Goods

Hygge is the Danish word for coziness and the basis for this 300-question portable travel game. The questions are designed to foster meaningful conversations among friends and family members. Play it during long car rides, in a candlelit, hygge-inspired restaurant, or anyplace where you want to spark fun and thoughtful connections.

Keep in mind: Some of the questions go pretty deep and might surprise people who prefer more superficial lines of interrogation.

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 14 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 5.70 x 5.70 x 1.80 inches

Parents Are Human

Like the Hygge Game, Parents Are Human is a card game that fosters understanding and connections. This specific deck (others are designed for friends, romantic partners, and siblings) focuses on immigrant families, making it a great game for family road trips. Each set includes 50 question cards and 20 action cards in English on one side and another language on the other ( Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, and Thai).

Keep in mind: Some reviewers say you can’t play this card game many times with the same people.

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 13 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size: ‎3.81 x 2.81 x 1.44 inches

Where Should We Begin

This traveling card game stems from relationship therapist and author Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin podcast and is ideally suited for adults. Cards with topics like “A dream I’ve never shared” and “One of the things that is keeping me up at night” help travel companions learn more about each other in an approachable way.

Keep in mind: Many reviewers prefer not to use the dice and pull randomly from the deck of cards instead.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 6 players | Ages: 18 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size: 9.4 x 4.9 x 2.6 inches

Best travel games for kids

Nex playground.

This compact game console works as a portable travel game that the whole family can play while on the road. The colorful cube uses motion sensors (with controllers or wearable gear) for family-friendly competition. Just plug Nex Playground into a TV and tap the library of more than 20 games and experiences ranging from dance-offs to sports competitions and activities like jumping in puddles with favorite cartoon characters.

Keep in mind: You’ll need floor space of about 8 feet by 8 feet to play, since the game requires moving around. If you’re in a small hotel room or other tight space, that can be challenging.

Product details: Number of players: Up to 4 | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round: 5 | Size: 2.83 x 2.83 x 2.83 inches

Kanoodle Ultimate Champion

Popular on TikTok, this puzzle game can easily pack up and go with you on your next road trip. It comes with over 500 puzzles and a timer, challenging family members to use problem solving and spatial reasoning skills to beat the clock in time.

Keep in mind: This game requires two AAA batteries to operate.

Product details: Number of players: 1 | Ages: 7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 to 30 | Size: ‎5.75 x 2 inches

Play Monster Take ’N Play Bingo

Kids can spend hours playing this traveling bingo game. The animal-based bingo cards are built into a metal case that closes for easy storage and transport. Two players take turns spinning the spinner and placing magnetic markers on the matching animals.

Keep in mind: The magnet is built into one side of the marker pieces, so they’re not the strongest at staying put on the board. However, this game is hard to beat for an affordable and fun option.

Product details: Number of players: 2 | Ages: 4 and up | Minutes to play a round: 5 | Size: 1 x 6.50 x 6.50 inches

Pass the Pigs

Families will get a kick out of this adorable dice game that involves rolling a pair of pig-shaped pieces to score points. The first player to score 100 points wins. It’s also a great game to play anywhere while traveling, since it only requires a flat surface to play, plus the pigs, scoring pads, and pencils fit in a small plastic storage case that easily tucks into a backpack.

Keep in mind: Small parts could pose a choking hazard for younger kids.

Product details: Number of players: 2 | Ages: 7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 1.63 x 4.25 x 9.25 inches

Our review process

The best portable travel games are compact and light enough to take on a road trip or flight, can be contained in a case, and are still fun after multiple rounds of play.

Size: Travel games shouldn’t be large and heavy. They should be small and light enough to fit easily into suitcases and carry-ons.

Multiplayer: Games for two or more players are best, since the whole point of travel games is to keep everyone entertained.

Fun-factor: Travel games can help stave off boredom between activities, while you’re in transit, or during travel delays. So make sure you choose games that appeal across ages, interests, and have enough variety for the long haul.

Tips for buying travel games

Size of the game

When it comes to the best travel games, size matters, whether you travel with just a carry-on suitcase or don’t want to bulk out your checked baggage. Look for games that are contained in a case small enough to fit into a backpack. On road trips, you can get away with larger games, especially if you’re driving your own vehicle.

Game ratings and popularity

A game’s ratings and popularity can give you a good idea for whether or not it will work for your needs. A sure-fire tip is to look for reviews by customers with similar travel styles and companions as your own.

Players’ ages

It goes without saying, but you’ll maximize fun by packing travel games that are appropriate for everyone in your group. Consider bringing a couple of games–one for spending time with the kids and another for adults.

Time it takes to play a round

When shopping for the best travel games, keep in mind that some people can take longer to finish a game than others. Consider your travel companions’ attention spans and choose accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Are there travel-sized board games?

Yes, many classic and unique board games come in travel sizes. Some even have travel-friendly modifications, such as magnets to prevent pieces from sliding off the board and carrying cases that keep everything contained.

How do you know if a game is good for traveling?

Some games are better suited to travel than others. Card games with a carrying case and board games that don’t have too many loose parts (or are magnetized) tend to be good options for the road. Consider the size and weight of the travel game’s carrying case too. Make sure there’s enough room among everything else you’re packing for your trip.

What are the best travel games for an airplane?

Since space is limited on an airplane, look for games that don’t take up more room than a typical airplane tray table. You’ll also want travel games that can handle turbulence and that you can quickly and easily pick up, in case you need to get out of your seat for a neighbor.

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Catch as many astrophysical objects and phenomena as possible in this game! This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

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Build a NASA Spacecraft in this game! This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Scope It Out!

Scope It Out! includes an introduction to telescopes and two matching games. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Explore the universe with interactives and videos. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Mars Photo Booth

Put yourself in mission control, or on Mars, next to the rover. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Space Forensics Game

Stars exploding? Who would do such a thing? Join Detective Eagle Quark on his investigation of this mystery in this Space Forensics interactive game. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Climate Time Machine

See into the past and ahead to the future with the Climate Time Machine. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Coral Bleaching

See what happens to the coral reef depending on the various conditions you choose. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Mars Rover Game

Mars Rover drivers wanted! Search for water as your game rover climbs up and down hills to explore Mars. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

NASA Home and City

Trace space back to you! This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

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Space sims. Cool space games. The best space games on PC squeeze all the stars and planets into little worlds for us to visit, explore, or save. Anime fans might like how Honkai: Star Rail zooms ...
Nine Most Popular Space Exploration Games You Must Try in 2023
These games offer a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of space travel and exploration, allowing players to embark on interstellar adventures, build and manage space stations, and even colonize distant planets. ... (Space Strategy Game) Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is a real-time strategy game created by Ironclad Games, published ...
Best space exploration games
2. Endless Space 2. We promised you a bit of space conquest, and Endless Space 2 is the best turn-based, space-set strategy title that you can find right now. It completely behaves like a normal ...
Play Solar System Switch-a-Roo!
Solve another puzzle. The planets and moons of our solar system come in a wondrous variety of colors and textures. Some appear white, smooth, and calm; others are splotchy with color and dotted with craters and volcanoes. If this is the variety to be found in our solar system, imagine the strange worlds that must exist around other stars!
The Next World: Planetary Exploration on Steam
Explore the harsh wilderness of an unnamed world, uncover its secrets, conquer its unique terrain, and use its resources to bolster your colony through the vastly expanded strategy gameplay. Planetary Exploration offers a completely new way to experience the game with a host of new features, dozens of pieces of never-before-seen artwork, sound ...
The Best Space Travel Games
However, some choose to distance themselves from the conflict and seek their own adventure, like in Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader . You and a crew of rogues, for lack of a better term, have gotten your hands on a pretty sweet ride known as a Voidship that is built to traverse the darkest parts of space.
Best Open-World Games Where You Explore Multiple Planets
Games like Starbound and Space Engineers provide highly detailed and immersive planet exploration experiences, with rich resources, atmospheric conditions, and player agency. No Man's Sky and ...
Planetary Settlers on Steam
Planetary Settlers. Planetary Settlers is a family friendly game with real benefits! Learn about the solar system as you play. Experience realistic gravity as you control Blue 42 on each planet, completing mini games, uncovering secrets, solving puzzles, and completing quizzes to enhance your abilities! All Reviews:
28 Best Space Games That Let You Explore the Unknown
Platform: PC. Release Date: May 2017. Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy game that takes place in the great expanses of space. You take control of one of 12 factions after all of the added ...
Starfield seamless space travel is finally here
Created by modder '105gun,' 'Starfield Slower Than Light' is a simple but intuitive workaround for seamless interplanetary flight. In the base game, seamless travel between planets in the ...
Best Sci-Fi Games That Let You Take Over Different Planets
3 No Man's Sky. When it comes to exploring and taking over planets, No Man's Sky deserves to be mentioned. Though there are many opinions about the game, the good aspect is that it is a gem ...
Traveller Map
An interactive map of the universe of the Traveller role playing game, incorporating official data and fan submissions. The site also provides services for generating custom maps and APIs for incorporating maps into other sites.
Planetary Annihilation
Planetary Annihilation Just Got BIGGER. The galactic war between ancient robot factions kicks into high gear with 24 new game-changing combat units, including five IMMENSE Titan-class units! Conquer new worlds and craft new strategies to take advantage of all-new multi-level terrains! Lead thousands of units in interplanetary campaigns across ...
Planetary Life on Steam
About This Game From an uninhabited planet in space to an ecosystem full of life. In Planetary Life you will be able to shape a planet in the purest Sandbox Simulation style, playing with its mountains, seas and even its climate, to create the perfect habitat to harbor life. PLANETS Control a planet with the multiple tools available.
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Play Helios: A Game About How the Sun Makes Energy! Where does the Sun's energy come from? Play Helios to find out! play; Space Volcanoes! Explore the many volcanoes in our solar system using the Space Volcano Explorer. explore; Go With the Flow: An Ocean Currents Game. In this ocean currents game, use heat and salt to float your sub to the ...
travle
Travle: A daily game, get between countries in as few guesses as possible! travle by Oisín Carroll. How to Play. Settings. Colour scheme. Light mode. Dark mode. High contrast. Game modifiers. Hard mode: Hide country names. Hide map. Map Projection
Astronomy Lab on PC: Relativity, Lunar Landing, Space Flight ...
Astronomy and geography laboratory (spacecraft, solar system, earth, moon, relativity, flying over the world, etc.) The laboratory contains 4 sub-games. Through these sub-games, you can experience the magnificence of the universe, the beauty of the earth, the spectacle of the moon and the completely different world you see while driving a ...
The best travel games for your next road trip
Popular on TikTok, this puzzle game can easily pack up and go with you on your next road trip. It comes with over 500 puzzles and a timer, challenging family members to use problem solving and ...
Games
Learn about laser-based space communications in this game! play; Color Your Universe: Find the Hidden Objects. Can you find all the NASA and space-themed hidden objects? play; Explore Mars: A Mars Rover Game. Drive around the Red Planet and gather information in this fun coding game! play; Play Helios: A Game About How the Sun Makes Energy!

Universe simulator

Cosmographic's Second Anniversary

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Update 0.990.46.1990: Climate Model Update Full Release

All types of celestial objects

Thousands of known

procedural generation

Incredibly huge

free to move

Easy navigation

Save locations

Observe the Universe

Tools to learn

3D landscapes on planets

Photorealistic

Space ships

Multilanguage

Huge modding

And much more

Recommended

Planetarium 2

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25 Best Space Exploration Games (on Consoles & PC)

25. Star Conflict (2012)

24. Metroid Prime Series (since 2002)

23. Mass Effect Trilogy (2007-2012)

22. Distant Worlds: Universe (2014)

21. Eve Valkyrie (2016)

20. Destiny 2 (2017)

19. FTL: Faster Than Light (2012)

18. Observation (2019)

17. Surviving Mars (2018)

16. Star Trek Online (2010)

15. The Outer Worlds (2019)

14. Civilization: Beyond Earth (2014)

13. Homeworld Remastered Collection (2015)

12. Space Engineers (2019)

11. SpaceEngine (2019)

10. Universe Sandbox (2019)

9. Outer Wilds (2019)

8. Everspace (2019)

7. No Man’s Sky (2016)

6. Stellaris (2016)

5. Endless Space 2 (2017)

4. Kerbal Space Program (2015)

3. Star Citizen (2015)

2. Eve Online (2003)

1. Elite Dangerous (2014)

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The best space games on PC

The best space games

The best singleplayer space games

Outer Wilds

Honkai: Star Rail

The Outer Worlds

Hardspace: Shipbreaker

Observation

Alien: Isolation

Dead Space (2023)

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Elite Dangerous

Heat Signature

Star Wars: TIE Fighter

FTL: Faster Than Light

Wing Commander: Privateer

Take On Mars

Objects in Space

The best strategy space games

Endless Space 2

Sins of a Solar Empire

Homeworld Remastered Collection

Surviving Mars

The best multiplayer space games

Space Engineers

No Man's Sky

The best simulation space games

Universe Sandbox