These Are The Voyages Of Your PS5
The beautiful thing about space is that it's so big, you can put just about anything in there. Space-themed games can take place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the not-so-distant future, or so far in the future we can’t even begin to think about what our world would look like. It’s expansive, filled with potentially countless species and galaxies, but also terrifyingly lonely. All in all, there are so many reasons why space-themed video games not only exist, but do so well. Here are a few we thought we should mention.
1. Dead Space
Dead Space is a blend of science fiction and horror that was first released in 2008. Set in the 26th century, you follow the terrifying life of Isaac Clarke as he comes face-to-face with the undead. This game is often considered one of the best video games of all time, winning Best Action and Adventure Game at the 2009 BAFTA Games Awards.
NASA and the European Space Agency. on Wikimedia
2. Xenoblade Chronicles X
While this franchise largely avoids actual space travel, this sequel is set on a fictional planet. It has some pretty heavy science fiction elements, but incorporates a throughline of mythological beliefs, making it a strong game in design, combat, and storytelling elements.
3. EVE Online
This community-driven MMORPG first appeared in 2003 and has grown into the largest, most complex space MMORPG worldwide. With an emphasis on sandbox elements, matched with its sheer size and scale, you’ll drop into a world run entirely by the players. We’re talking in-game, player-based economic competition, warfare, and political schemes.
4. Mouthwashing
This first-person horror game only came out last year, but made a name for itself due to its impressive non-linear storytelling, intense themes, and beautifully grotesque art style. You follow the increasingly horrifying situation of 5 astronauts, who are completely stranded in space after a strange crash.
5. Star Overdrive
Praised for its exploration elements, Star Overdrive is like a science fiction version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Your character, Bios, is stranded on an unknown planet, where he must fight, solve, and explore his way across the world to find his lost love.
6. Starfield
This game allows you to explore galaxies near and far. Considered the Skyrim of space, your character must join a group of explorers who are venturing to a faraway galaxy for archaeological purposes. Many in-game planetary systems are fictional, but you also get ample opportunities to explore our very own galaxy.
7. Kerbal Space Program
This adorable flight simulation game was released in 2015, where you must direct the space program for an alien species known as Kerbals. Despite its cutesy animation style, this game does feature pseudorealistic physics, so you can get a sense of what real-life space maneuvering feels like.
Squad, Kevin MacLeod on Wikimedia
8. Star Wars
Obviously, the Star Wars franchise would appear in this list, and there are so many games to choose from. For open-world exploration, we would definitely recommend Outlaws, while Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor are excellent games in terms of story and adventure.
9. Stellaris
If you prefer a bit of strategy mixed in with your space exploration, Stellaris is for you. In this game, you get to take control of a galactic civilization and must find a way to successfully build and colonize your region of the galaxy. Throughout your exploration, you will encounter other civilizations, face emerging empires, and deal with crises that threaten your galaxy.
10. Moons Of Darsalon
This puzzle platformer game follows a team of Darsanauts who got lost during a series of mining missions. To complete the game, you must travel to, gasp, the moons of Darsalon, complete rescue missions, and lead the teams back to safety.
11. Alien Isolation
Like Star Wars, the Alien franchise would eventually make an appearance. The Alien video games range from first-person shooters like Alien Trilogy to strategy games like Aliens: Dark Descent. The best of the bunch is widely considered to be Alien: Isolation, which beautifully captures the horror of the original film.
Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City on Wikimedia
12. Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is an action-adventure game that was released in 2019. It follows a character stuck in a 22-minute time loop, where you must explore a planetary system before its sun goes supernova. The game was created as a master’s thesis and received numerous accolades after its release.
Alex Beachum, creator of Outer Wilds on Wikimedia
13. No Man’s Sky
This gorgeous game contains over 18 quintillion planets. Yes, you heard that right. Created through a procedural generation system, players get to explore planets, solar systems, and galaxies that have their own unique ecosystems. The purpose of the game is to survive, as you explore, fight, and trade your way into creating a comfortable corner of the universe.
14. FTL: Faster Than Light
In this game, you control the crew of a singular spacecraft that is being pursued by an enemy fleet. Using procedural generation, you must successfully maneuver your crew through 8 sectors. This game is largely inspired by tabletop board games, featuring principles of the classic roguelike genre.
15. Mass Effect 2
It’s the 22nd century, and humanity is under attack by an alien race known as the Collectors. Playing as Commander Shepard, you must form a kamikaze squad to try and stop the Collectors' success. Praised for its cinematography and character complexity, the game also allows you to affect the game’s story by entering completed save files.
Alex from Calgary, Canada on Wikimedia
16. Elite Dangerous
In this flight simulation game, you get the opportunity to traverse our Milky Way galaxy. The game uses a realistic 1:1 open-world map, making space exploration feel as realistic as possible. The game also released a DLC in 2021, where players can land, disembark, and explore various planets.
17. Halo Infinite
This first-person shooter follows Master Chief’s fight against a mercenary organization. Set in the open world of Zeta Halo, you must traverse the environment, clearing out and liberating bases, and eliminate this alien faction once and for all.
18. Destiny 2
This MMORPG puts you into the role of a Guardian, where your task is to protect the last safe city on Earth. The game effectively blends linear storytelling with an open world environment, allowing you to interact with other real-life players or explore the world at your own pace.
19. The Outer Worlds
This RPG is set in the fictional star system of Halcyon. Colonized entirely by megacorporations, you assume the role of a passenger from a colony ship, and your mission is to rescue your fellow colonists while taking down the intricate network of space capitalism.
BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
20. Deliver Us The Moon
Set in an apocalyptic near future, Deliver Us the Moon follows a lone astronaut who is tasked with preventing humanity’s total extinction. Through a series of puzzles, you alone must find a crucial resource that could solve Earth’s energy crisis.
