Best Space Games of All Time

Space has always been a fascinating concept for humanity and gaming is no exception to this rule. As far as time goes back the vast openness of the galaxies have been one of the main objectives to obtain information for and understand it better. Space exploration has been developing rapidly in the last years, but as for gaming it has been on the forefront of people’s imagination and there have been so many different and fantastic games throughout the industry that we decided to give you our top picks for the best space themed steam games of all time according to our team at YUPLAY.

So, dear reader, prepare all of your space gear, weapons, vehicles and get ready for a stellar journey in the incredibly amazing world of science-fiction space games that we deem you should definitely give your attention to. The list is going to cover multiple titles from the genre and is not intended as a top 10 or chart, so do not think of the order they come in, we guarantee you that all of them deserve to be on here and would prove to be worthy of your time. Ready? Let’s blast away the best steam games with space context immediately!

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2

This space game with real-time tactic features is all about the enormous spacecraft ships that take part in brutal battles in the expansive and brutal Warhammer 40K universe. All of the action-packed battles are happening in different locations that are based on a 2D map filled with various capture points to conquer as well as some deadly asteroid fields, that you should be extra careful with, as you traverse through space.

All of the ships must be handled as giant and incredibly deadly cruise liners that can devastate other crafts with ease. You are able to command and send out many fighter and bomber type squads to go in dogfights, as well as attack with torpedo and laser beam attacks to ensure that you are going to obtain the glorious victory over your enemies. You have the opportunity to even get on board of other enemy ships and invade them.

The massive space battles involve some really spectacular sights to be seen and the campaign mode would be absolutely satisfying for fans of the Warhammer 40K.

Endless Space 2

A very stylish game full of galactic conquest opportunities would fascinate you with its world. Even though it may not be the largest 4X strategy game available on PC out there, it is still an atmospheric and charming title which is able to easily blend strategic decision making alongside a beautiful presentation and delivery.

Set in a vivid sci-fi universe, this space game lets you explore some of the most mysterious star systems. You would be able to discover the ancient secrets of lost races, then build your own colonies on distant planets, and even have encounters with alien species to meet or conquer them in a variety of different ways. It is all up to your choices and you decide the fate of these regions of space.

In Endless Space 2 you are going to have the chance of encounter living crystals, cosmic dragons, recycled machines of war that have been sent back on the battlefield and many clones of a person that is named Horatio. It is set in a universe teeming with unique places and creatures and then enslave them if you are that sort of explorer. If that is not your style you would still be able to play in other ways and have a great journey throughout multiple regions in the known space.

Stellaris

Developed by Paradox, this sci-fi epic grand strategy is something you should certainly not miss out on. Stellaris is a very deep and gripping strategy game all dedicated to the goal of building up your very own space empire and vanquishing any foe you have an encounter with.

Or, if you prefer, it is about developing a technologically advanced race of friendly turtles that are looking to help other species evolve and expand their potential. That is the true beauty of it: you are free to have your own objectives and choose and assign the characteristics of your species, and then play the title as you like and prefer it to be. Stellaris has all of the exploration and traditional strategy sim elements that you may possibly need, but the relations you grow with other races have a serious weight as always.

You are going to navigate your species through both times of grueling war & peaceful bliss, watch as your partnerships get formed and betrayals happen over time, then decide if you want to align together with your enemies to fight against invaders seeking to destroy everything on their path.

Dive right in and get ready to lose track of time, as you explore the universe, make strong alliances with alien races, and then leave your mark in the large-scale battles that would surely occur. With the multitude of systems available that make Stellaris a powerful option for generative storylines, you would never really know what weird creatures you are going to encounter among the stars next.

Destiny 2

If you could only pick one space game online FPS, be sure to select Destiny 2. It has everything in it: outstanding PvP, grand cooperation based boss battles, convoluted and detailed storyline scenarios, and, what might be most important; there are tons and tons of loot to discover and gather on the different alien planets that you are going to explore.

When we talk about the shooting element of Destiny 2 it holds up as one of the finest FPS games available in the industry. The weapons feel properly with their weight and balance but not too difficult to manage. The game also rewards you with special effects for each and every headshot you manage to hit.

We recommend playing with friends and sharing the action together, most notably for the hardest missions and boss challenges, but the game could be quite fun even if you decide to go for it alone and on your own. Enjoy the base game as it is free-to-play, and spend more than 100 hours into it before ever spending any cash for additional DLCs and add-ons.

Bungie's FPS/MMO offers hybrid features with some of the most amazing alien landscapes available. Take on an adventure from the ruins of Earth and the vast deserted plains of Europa, all the way up to the galactic visions in The Dreaming City, each place you discover is abundant of battles and looting.

Even though the studio decided to take out a few locations, the title still is racking up more and more stories with the release of every next expansion, and also reworks to the signature classes and gear that keep the title fresh and interesting.

No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky has been one of the first to attempt deep space exploration with simulated worlds that are expansive and offer a wide variety of planetary worlds, creatures and resources to obtain and discover. Even though it had a bit of a bumpy start it should be considered that the brave project was aiming really high in its ambition and now things have been smoothed out quite well and the days of disruption are long-gone.

The game has so much to offer when we talk about the options of space exploring. With a variety of big updates that have been added to the game recently and thus make the experience even more in-depth, Hello Games offers many galaxies to explore and experience, and more than 30 hours of story narrative. The ambitious Beyond update brought even more options and interactive improvements along with the Origins, Prisms, and Expeditions updates before it, there has not been a more suitable time to join the adventure than now is.

But if you are not in mood for lengthy exploration by yourself, you are able to also play the space-adventure with friends. The No Man's Sky multiplayer mode gives you the option to construct colonies in cooperation. You should just try to handle the expanses of the universe, and there are even dogfight and spacecraft races available to keep you excited. The expanding community of players still continues to go from strength to strength which just demonstrates how much love there is for No Man's Sky out there, and it really has managed to claim the spot for one of the best simulation space games around.

So, if you have not had the opportunity to check it out in its early days, then today is the perfect timing for a deepdive as it has had many updates that make it a really good choice to go with it.

Kerbal Space Program

Manage properly with gravity and the laws of physics as you construct your own spacecrafts and then try to explore the vast horizons of the universe. With its robust and expansive sandbox features full of incredible possibilities that are just as fun as they are original and well-thought out.

When attempting to escape Kerbin’s atmosphere and then trying to land on the Mun (preferably without any accidents occurring) for the very first time with a vehicle you built on your own makes the experience as satisfying as space games could potentially be.

With equal parts of sandbox and scientific projecting, Kerbal Space Program is amongst the funniest space game experience you can have nowadays all while learning about the incredible mysteries of space.

At first glance, it is a nice game about constructing over-the-top rockets and space exploration vehicles that you then launch in space – but many times you would watch your inventions break apart in front of your eyes as you even grin at the screen. The more you experience, the more you would like to understand it better. You should ponder about the correct trajectory of entry that is suitable for landing on a moon, the next thing would be to figure out the right setup of the rocket engines in order to achieve the necessary thrust and boost. Then apply the right rules of physics, and to reach the achievements you would be required to carefully plan every detail with lots of attention.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey

Get ready Commander you must leave your mark on the known universe in Elite Dangerous: Odyssey. Make sure to explore all of the distant worlds on foot and expand the knowledge of humanity about the frontiers of space. Be among the first to ever step out onto the countless unique and incredible planets as you find lands that are left untouched ever since the beginning of time itself. You are truly invited to become a real pioneer with this space game title.

See the galaxy like never before. Land on some of the most amazing and unknown planets all available through stunning and very advanced technological breakthroughs, enjoy the suns rising over memorable views, find abandoned depots and settlements to survive in, and then go on exploration missions with unparalleled freedom of choices.

Do a wide variety of mission contracts and enjoy the rich gameplay in the way you want, ranging from diplomatic and commercial all the way to deadly stealth and even brutal combative style. With the diverse settings, multiple objectives, and many NPCs that offer you an endless mission variety and a nearly infinite amounts of content to experience.

The social hubs which are evenly spread all through the galaxy can offer Commanders the perfect places to think about the next moves they have to do. Forge strong alliances, hire various service providers highly experienced Engineers. The public outposts could help you to get and improve your gear as well as weaponry to make your playing style even greater.

You will surely experience some of the most intense first-person space combat, equip your character with a multitude of weapons and useful gadgets, and then co-op with teammates to truly master the deep tactics for the best Commanders.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Have you ever fantasized about being a Space Captain, in full command of your very own spaceship, while exploring the deepest reaches of space at your pace, having encounters with strange alien creatures, having confrontations with tough cosmic in their magnitude matters? The Mass Effect series, moreover the second part, could be the space games you are looking for!

In this space adventure you could arrange everything to make things look like your favorite and best sci-fi series. These game series may not have the same level of freedom like open-ended games as many others on the list and is a mostly linear experience, but you should be certain that it would take you on a journey around the galaxy that you would remember for long.

Visiting many weird and unusual planets and then getting deeply involved in the daily routine and lives of the many aliens who are living on them. You can interact with many inhabitants and build strong connections with them, taking tough choices and expanding on them with solutions that would keep your progress going.

The love for the series has recently been reignited with the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition making it a much more polished and intuitive experience that would be quite enjoyable for all fans of the original game.

Dead Space (2023)

The horrors of Dead Space have been revisited quite recently in the new 2023 remake that has brought back the entire environmental atmosphere of pure dread and terror with the latest graphical advancements available.

Isaac Clarke seems to be a very misfortunate person. He was sent on a mission to perform repairs on a ship, the USG Ishimura, but he quickly discovers that it is sprawling with horrifying alien creatures looking to feast on him. Dead Space manages to combine the horror and action dynamics so well, while tasking you to rid yourself of every monster that comes your way.

Experience the dark and morbid thrills with this one and get on a lonely voyage through the abandoned spaceship; sadly it now gets roamed by just you and the deadly creatures that seek what to chew on. Will you manage to survive this adventure or would you become the newest victim of these monsters?

Alien: Isolation

The daughter of Ellen Ripley - Amanda, is getting hunted through an abandoned space station by a vicious Xenomorph in this amazing survival-horror space game. Taking many cues from the original Ridley Scott 1979 film, it is a masterpiece of slow-burning tension and dynamics.

At the station itself, Sevastopol, there is a great example of lo-fi and sci-fi combinations, with some retro-futuristic technological features and dimmed flickering lights. It has been proclaimed as one of the most faithful movie adaptations of all time, and also as a very solid and great horror game with a reputable position in the industry. Will you be able to survive in this desperate battle for survival, on an epic mission to unravel the truth behind the disappearance of Ellen Ripley fifteen years ago?

When playing as Amanda, you are going to go through an ever-increasingly in its volatility world finding yourself confronted on all sides by a merciless Alien Xenomorph. You shall be underpowered and far from prepared at first and you would really have to locate the necessary resources, think of creative ways to manage the satiations not just to succeed in your objectives, but to simply remain alive and well.

Get to explore a world of filled with mystery and betrayal, encounter with a rich cast of characters in a world that is marked by fear and distrust.

The Outer Worlds

The Outer Worlds is a great award-winning single-player RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. While you are exploring a space colony, the character you decide to play as is going to decide how the story happens. In the cruel corporate equation, you are actually going to be the unplanned variable that spoils the plans.

This title should not be mistaken with another entry on our list - Outer Wilds, which is another space game adventure and actually next to be reviewed, it is just that their names are quite similar and fans often mistake the two.

Having that in mind Obsidian's latest RPG has a blend a flavor of humor and action role-playing that somewhat brings memories back to the studio's days while it was working on the Fallout titles. You are going to travel around a solar system that is filled with a lot of literally colorful environments and characters.

Like in many other games powerful corporations are trying to dominate everything as per usual, but in this retro space future, where you are going to shoot at alien creatures, navigate the narrative and dialogues you have with other characters, you are actually going to ruin the plans and potentially make a total mess on every planet you end up stepping on, but only if it fits your preference, as it is all up to the choices you make.

Outer Wilds

This first-person open world space game is all about the exploration of a small solar system which is packed with unusual planetary worlds and odd cosmic adventures. You are actually trapped in a time loop, which gives you just a bit over 20 minutes of time to explore. Outer Wilds requires you to think in the way to piece together a greater puzzle through making connections between small details that are very often unrelated at first glance, but once you spot their relativity, it all starts to make sense.

The cute presentation of Outer Wilds demonstrates just how clever this title is: as a first-time astronaut, you explore around, travelling across the different planets in your ship and picking up on storyline pieces. When the clock runs out, you are going to once again respawn and do everything again – but the twist is that this time you are familiar with the new information which you learned in your previous attempts. As an incredibly dynamic and cosmic adventure, The Outer Wilds is among the most original and unique space games that grabbed our attention.

There are several distinct planets to explore so each run your aim is to discover a little more about the world before your progress gets reset. Soulful and really packed with mystery and quirks, Outer Wilds goes down as a magnificent treat whether you have it all in one sitting or make each 20-minute time loop as a fresh bite to enjoy is all in your hands.

Starfield (pre-order)

Starfield is an upcoming pick we decided to add to the list and it is going to be the first new universe in more than 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios. In this next gen space role-playing game that would be set amongst the vast galaxies full of stars you are destined to experience a lot of cosmic adventures.

You are going to create a personal character that you want and then explore the expansive reaches of space with lots and lots of freedom, as you take on an iconic adventure to find an answer to humanity’s greatest mystery ever.

The title has had many trailers already and was formally announced during Bethesda's E3 presentation back in 2018. The title is going to take place in a futuristic space-themed setting, and right now it is in pre-order stage as it is scheduled to be released on September 6, 2023, we are very excited about it as it should bring a whole new set of approaches and mechanics in the sci-fi genre and potentially establish future standards for others.

Sins of a Solar Empire

Sins of a Solar Empire is a multiplayer game dedicated to galactic conquest. You must select your faction and then after that conquer as many star systems as possible for their future colonization. But before you would be able to do that, you must create all the necessary units, gather enough resources and prepare yourself well-enough for a massive series of space battles that would test your skills.

While many were hoping that diplomacy could finally put an end to the endless wars going around, the different positions on what should be done, alongside with the decreasing power of the controlling factions, led to a separation of the groups involved.

The members of the Trader Emergency Coalition take on a policy of isolation, focusing on defensive ways to endure the remainder of the ongoing war. Anyone rebelling against the coalition must take on a purely militant perspective, reaching to the conclusion that the only manner to really establish peace once and for all is going to be achieved by destroying all those, who are in opposition – especially the Xenos.

The game is not a simple run-and-gun type of game. It is more of a real-time grand strategy with complex elements that are typical of the games in the 4X genre. In order to be truly successful at playing this game, you must develop strong strategies and then take on a more tactical approach.

In conclusion, with such an extensive list what other space adventures could you possibly need to have a great time while going through different battles across the galaxies and bonding or fighting with distant alien species and unknown races from distant regions of the universe?! We sure hope that you enjoyed our picks for interesting steam games, not only in single player campaigns but including some amazing multiplayer ones too!