The Best Space Travel Games

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home March 21, 2025 20 Views 28 Min Read
The Best Space Travel Games



Summary

  • Space exploration in games can be mind-numbing or jaw-dropping, depending on your mindset and expectations.
  • Games like SpaceEngine offer endless new discoveries and a vast appreciation for the universe’s vastness.
  • Titles like Starcom: Unknown Space let you brave the dangerous unknown to uncover secrets and fight for discovery.

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.

A collage showing An Astronaut From Observation, A Character In A Spacesuit Staring At A Planet In Pollen, And A Scary Enemy From Dispatcher.

Related


The Best Horror Games Set In Space, Ranked

Horror games in space offer you the best of both worlds. Here are some of the best ones, ranked.

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 March 21, 2025, by William Quick: While actually going to space may be a long way off, we can experience the next best thing by going into all the different sci-fi game universes. Whether we’re flying ships ourselves or just passengers heading into the stars, the doors to all that space has to offer are plentiful and wide open. These titles are worth the lift-off because they offer opportunities to explore all the different interpretations of real-life and fantastical universes.

Astrometica

Rebuild And Survive The Cosmos

A ship flies among the asteroids in Astometica.

It’s lonely out in space, but there’s something that will keep pushing us forward. Maybe it’s our survival instinct or natural curiosity that pushes us to keep doing what we must whenever we’re caught in a difficult situation. Things don’t get more difficult than in Astrometica, so brace yourself.

This experience is set during a period following a devastating event that has echoed across the stars. As a lone survivor with a ship and reliable tech, you must prepare to mine and harvest whatever you can to build a sustainable base of operations. With a solid base, you can risk heading out into the universe, exploring planets, and trying to figure out what happened.

Beyond Galaxyland

A Grand Old Fantasy Adventure Across The Stars

Looking at various planets in Beyond Galaxyland.

With the flair of Beyond Galaxyland, you know your human protagonist is in for a ride and won’t be short of weird and interesting company.

The title follows the journey of teenager Doug when he’s suddenly thrust into a space-faring adventure on a massive scale. He’ll travel across space to strange new worlds, visit various futuristic cities, and meet companions of varying backgrounds and species. Of course, between all the wonders, Doug and their friends will have to fight beasts and creations of all kinds to continue their story.

Void Crew

Join Together And Conquer Space

The four explorers meet in Void Crew.

If there’s anything more wild and unpredictable than the unknown forces in the universe… it’s human behavior. When we come together, we think we’re all on the same page, especially regarding dangerous scenarios. But that kind of thinking must be put aside for Void Crew.

Three mods for Void Crew.

Related


Void Crew: 8 Best Mods

If you’re headding off to space in Void Crew, you’ll need these mods.

This roguelite sci-fi adventure tests you and whatever other people you choose to take with you as a crew on a spaceship. You’ll explore different areas of the universe as you fly through space, discover new things, and get into spaceship battles with all sorts of entities. When you’re on the ground, expect to do a lot of hands-on work, exploring and fighting whatever creatures are waiting for you.

Space Engineers

Someone’s Gotta Keep Everything Together

Space Engineers Repairing Something On A Rocky Surface.

Before you can head out into space, you need a ship and all the right tools to keep it running well. Of course, unless you’re super-talented all on your own, you’ll be looking for a crew, and filling it up with a few engineers will help guarantee a safe voyage and exploration. That’s who you’re following in Space Engineers.

You have decided to venture out into space, but you need to start by building a ship made for travel by gathering the right materials and putting them together. When you do decide to take flight, you may come across certain celestial bodies. You can rest, harvest, or try to build a base or space station on new surfaces to ground yourself in the chaos of space before setting out further into the unknown.

Dead Space Series

As If Space Wasn’t Scary Enough

Dead Space Isaac flying in zero-g through the station as bodies can be seen floating.

The reason space is so scary on its own is because it’s so big, so dark, and so filled with unknown things that we can’t even start to comprehend. Who knows what sorts of organisms are out there that could be planning our demise? Well, Dead Space presents some very creepy possibilities for that.

After a space station goes dark, Isaac Clarke and his crew of semi-deposable allies arrive to investigate. Isaac is there to fix some things and to look for his girlfriend but quickly encounters the hostile mutant-alien-zombie creatures called Necromorphs. Armed with various engineering tools and some weapons, Issac has no choice but to fight his way through the station and learn the fate of everyone aboard.

Empyrion – Galactic Survival

Build, Expand, And Survive The Galaxy

A white, orange, gray, and black spacecraft where smaller ships can land.

Space is full of mystery, and we, as humans, are driven to try to solve all the mysteries that we can. Of course, there’s rarely ever a solution without risk, but it’s one that we’re all too willing to take as long as we feel prepared. Empyrion – Galactic Survival gives us the mystery of Empyrion that hides somewhere in the universe.

A split image showing images from Infinity Battlescape, Darkkstar One, and House of the Dying Sun-1

Related


10 Best Space Combat Games

Test your space combat skills with these amazing games.

Once again, we have to work to build ships and structures just to further our exploration and fact-finding. When you’ve got a sturdy enough ship, you can start flying to strange new worlds in hopes of encountering new materials and environments. They’ll have you learning more about the richness and vastness of space while gathering what you need to improve your ships and gear. Whether you’re an explorer or a settler, the mystery will be waiting.

SpaceEngine

The Universe Awaits

The ship takes flight in SpaceEngine.

Our universe is expanding every single second, which means there’s more space for things to appear. This can be dust clouds, stars, or entire planets that can host multiple kinds of mysterious environments. With the SpaceEngine, you can try to reach the edge of an expanding universe without knowing what’s out there.

This is a game that’s all about discovering new things and gaining an appreciation for the vastness of all things. It prides itself on its powerful procedural generation, so you can head in any random direction and have an incredible opportunity to encounter enumerable new things. Feel the physics, get lost in the visuals, and have total freedom to explore this universe until you find your place among the stars.

Space Trash Scavenger

Unidentified Flying Garbage

The Scavenger Flying By A Ship In Space Trash Scavenger.

People don’t realize how valuable trash can be, especially when so much of it can be repurposed and restored to brand-new condition. And this is just the trash that we can find here on Earth, so who knows what kind of refuse is floating in space? Well, the Space Trash Scavenger knows.

That’s who you’ll be when you start playing the game. You are someone who has the resources to fly through space and go through all the floating trash piles created by all sorts of species who’ve thrown it from their ships or launched it from their planets. The handy jetpack you’ve got is more than enough to explore all the small celestial bodies and abandoned facilities on various planets’ surfaces. Recycle that trash to grow your operation and become a space trash powerhouse.

Search The Dangerous Beyond

Exploring A Dark Part Of Deep Space In Starcom Unknown Space.

Since the universe is so incomprehensibly big, what is comprehensible is just how much dangerous stuff there is out there. However, someone has to be brave enough to go see what’s going on out there and hopefully discover things that are safe and incredible. This risk will be taken in Starcom: Unknown Space.

The title gives a good idea of what you’re doing: going into an unknown space. The story begins when you assume the role of a commander, get a crew together, find a ship, and take off for the space that awaits. You’ll encounter everything from empty planets to alien species, friendly and hostile encounters, but it’s all for the sake of discovery and learning the secrets of the universe. Keep your crew and ship in shape to make the unknown known.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

Travel Through The Void To Explore Deadly Space

The main crew of Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader in battle together.

If you don’t understand Warhammer 40,000 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.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - 10 Best Weapons

Related


Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – 10 Best Weapons

These weapons will give you an edge 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 a prime unexplored territory full of discoveries 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

The Facility Launching A Rocket In Offworld Trading Company.

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.

Starfield

Bethesda Makes A Big Splash In The Sci-Fi Pool

The Hero Looks Out At A New Planet In Starfield.

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.

Homeworld

A Long Return Journey Across The Stars

Ships Fighting A Laser Battle In Homeworld.

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

The Hero Walks Through A Station in he Expanse.

Telltale Games is known for making some of the most narrative-rich games out there, but sadly, it 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.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Persona 3 Reload.

Related


10 Best Story-Rich Games On PC

If you’re looking for a PC game with a great story, check out these titles!

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.

Astroneer

Land On New Planets And Set Up Society

Exploring A Cool Tone Planet In Astroneer.

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.

Freelancer

All That Matters Is Your Ship And Your Next Job

Scanning And Reading A Large Ship's Stats In Freelancer.

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 called Freelancer about trying to make a living your way in space.

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…

Ratchet And Clank Posing Together.

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.

Ratchet And Clank Posing Together

Related


Every Ratchet And Clank Story, Ranked

We take a look at the best stories in Ratchet and Clank.

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

Kerbals on a planet's surface place a flag and look happy with themselves.

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

Spaceships Flying Into Battle In Star Conflict.

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

Ships Arrive From The Clouds In Endless Space.
mixcollage-21-jan-2025-02-26-pm-4801-1.jpg

Endless Space

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.

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.

Source link