Summary
- Outer Wilds' time loop and deep exploration offer an engaging journey rich in mystery and narrative.
- Starfield provides a vast galaxy with unique stories, modular shipbuilding, and deep RPG elements for players.
- No Man's Sky, once a failure, redeems itself with limitless planet exploration, base building, and multiplayer.
Space has always been a setting where imagination runs wild, and video games have embraced that with open arms. They can be about exploring vast galaxies, surviving on alien planets, or piloting a starship through asteroid belts, but each of these space-themed open-world games offers players a unique blend of freedom and discovery.
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Some of these games are celebrated to the point of being household names, while others quietly orbit in the background, waiting for adventurous players to find them.
6 Outer Wilds
Sometimes, The Only Way Out Is To Let Go
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Time loops and existential dread make for a surprisingly cozy combination in Outer Wilds. Players take on the role of an alien explorer trapped in a repeating 22-minute cycle, each iteration ending with the sun’s dramatic supernova. The goal? Unraveling the mysteries of a solar system that’s both alive and dying, and figuring out why it all resets.
Exploration in Outer Wilds feels deeply personal. Each planet is like a handcrafted puzzle with its own story to tell, from the falling sand of the Hourglass Twins to the eerie, brittle hollows of Giant’s Deep. There’s no combat, but the game doesn’t need it. The sheer thrill of discovery, driven by curiosity and the need to understand, makes every moment impactful. It’s a story about knowledge, loss, and moving on.
5 Starfield
(Nearly) Infinite Space, Infinite Stories
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Starfield serves players a galaxy filled with numerous stories to unravel. As Bethesda’s first new IP in decades, it carries the studio’s trademark open-world storytelling into the far reaches of space. From bustling spaceports to abandoned outposts on lonely moons, each location has a story to tell, and often, a secret to uncover.
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The game’s modular shipbuilding system lets players construct vessels that reflect their style, whether it’s a nimble fighter or a massive cargo hauler. The RPG elements make every decision matter, from diplomatic encounters with alien species to moral choices that define the player’s path. While some might compare it to Fallout or Skyrim, Starfield has a distinct charm, blending hard science fiction with the thrill of space piracy.
4 Astroneer
Building A Better Tomorrow, One Terrain Deformation At A Time
Astroneer
- Released
- February 6, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
When it comes to making space adorable, Astroneer has it down to a science. Set in a colorful, procedurally generated galaxy, this sandbox adventure lets players mold the terrain as they see fit. Whether it’s digging deep into a planet’s core or building massive sprawling bases on the surface, everything is hands-on. The terrain tool is not just a novelty; it’s the game’s beating heart, allowing players to create pathways, tunnels, and resource hubs while keeping the landscape uniquely their own.
A Co-op is where Astroneer truly shines. Exploring with friends means dividing tasks—while one builds a base, another might gather resources from the far side of a toxic moon. Surviving hostile weather patterns and finding ancient artifacts adds a sense of purpose, but the real joy comes from the creativity and collaboration. It’s a game where curiosity isn’t just encouraged; it’s essential for survival.
3 Elite Dangerous
The Universe Is Big. Really Big.
Elite Dangerous
- Released
- December 16, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Frontier Developments
- Genre(s)
- Flight Simulator
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Simulating the immensity of space is no small feat, but Elite Dangerous does it with such audacity that it’s almost overwhelming. This is a game where every star you see in the sky is an actual destination, complete with planets, space stations, and other pilots just trying to make a living. It’s more than just scale, though—it’s the sense of freedom. Whether players want to be space truckers, bounty hunters, miners, or explorers, they’re free to chart their own path.
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The learning curve can feel like it’s wrapped in barbed wire, but once players master the flight mechanics and navigation systems, it’s rewarding. Completing a mission successfully, whether it’s delivering rare goods to a distant outpost or tracking down a high-value target in a distant star system, feels genuinely earned. There’s no hand-holding here, just raw, unfiltered spacefaring.
2 Everspace 2
It’s A Dogfight Out There
Everspace 2
- Released
- April 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- ROCKFISH Games
- Genre(s)
- Sci-Fi
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
If Elite Dangerous is about mastering the endless void, Everspace 2 is about injecting adrenaline into it. Fast-paced, frenetic combat is the centerpiece, with ship customization that allows for endless tweaks to weapons, shields, and engines. Space isn’t just a quiet, empty backdrop; it’s filled with hostile pirates, scavengers, and massive capital ships that make every dogfight feel like a dance of destruction.
Exploration is more structured than some of its peers, but that doesn’t mean it lacks depth. Players upgrade ships, craft better gear, and collect resources while following a surprisingly gripping narrative that balances between personal stakes and galactic threats. The colorful, stylized visuals make each star system feel distinct, and the snappy controls keep players coming back for one more skirmish.
1 No Man’s Sky
From Galactic Failure To Spacefaring Triumph
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
When No Man’s Sky launched, it was an ambitious mess, but today, it’s practically the poster child for redemption arcs. The sheer scope is mind-boggling—18 quintillion planets, each procedurally generated, waiting for players to explore, catalog, and build upon. From taming alien creatures to constructing entire bases on hostile worlds, the sense of progress is tangible and deeply satisfying.
Multiplayer was once just a pipe dream, but now it’s a reality, allowing players to embark on interstellar road trips together. The game’s Living Ship update brought organic spacecraft, and the Prisms update made planets look almost too good to be real. There’s always something to do, whether it’s participating in community expeditions or simply basking in the tranquil beauty of an undiscovered world.
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