Summary
- Boarding enemy ships adds intense combat experience, a refreshing change from typical space combat.
- Executive Assault 2 offers a unique combination of FPS and RTS gameplay for exciting ship-boarding.
- Angels Fall First and Star Wars Battlefront II also feature engaging ship-boarding mechanics in space battles.
In space-related games, combat often occurs from a distance, with laser bolts and starfighters clashing in the vast emptiness of space. While this is good fun, it’s moments like boarding enemy ships and space stations that really get the heart racing, delivering an intense combat experience.
Whether players are commanding squads in an RTS or diving headfirst into the action in an FPS, combat in the tightly confined hallways of spaceships offers a refreshing change of pace from typical space combat. These are some of the best games that let players board enemy spaceships, making combat more up-close and personal.
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8 Executive Assault 2
An Ambitious Space Game That Combines RTS and FPS
- Developer: Hesketh Studios Ltd
- Released: October 18, 2023
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Steam
- Genres: RTS, FPS, Sc-Fi, Space Simulator
Executive Assault 2 combines the intense action of a first-person shooter (FPS) with the tactical gameplay of a real-time strategy (RTS) to create a refreshing experience. Ship boarding plays a crucial role, as not only can the player board an enemy vessel, but the enemy can board player vessels too, adding an extra level of intensity and unease to the battle.
Players can simulate the battle in RTS mode, allowing them to infiltrate multiple locations at once while continuing the battle in space. Alternatively, they can dive in head-first in FPS and be directly involved during the boarding process while attempting to eliminate the enemy CEO. The combination of both RTS and FPS allows for a truly unique ship-boarding experience, giving the player the ultimate freedom to choose how they play. Executive Assault 2 is held back by somewhat clunky FPS mechanics and a lack of a compelling story, but still offers ambitious and entertaining gameplay.
7 Angels Fall First (Early Access)
A Tactical Sci-Fi Shooter
- Developer: Strangely Interactive Ltd
- Released: October 1, 2015
- Platforms: Windows, Steam, PC
- Genres: FPS, Sc-Fi, Space, Action, Multiplayer
Angels Fall First is a sci-fi tactical shooter set during the war between the AIA and the ULA. The game plays and feels similar to popular science fiction titles like Titanfall and Star Wars: Battlefront, creating a truly immersive and rewarding sci-fi shooter. It is popular among fans for its intelligent and competent AI, which could easily be mistaken for real players.
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To board enemy ships, players must first enter an intense dogfight in space, taking down enemy fighters and defenses before they fly drop-ships into the enemy ship. Once boarded, players must capture the ship/station by eliminating enemies, destroying key systems, and taking control of the core. Although still in Early Access, Angels Fall First has great potential and is one of the most fun sci-fi shooters of recent times. It also shows no signs of slowing down, with active updates from the developers.
6 X4: Foundations
One Of The Most Detailed Space Simulators Of All Time
X4: Foundations
- Released
- November 30, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Egosoft
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
X4: Foundations is a space exploration simulator where players can command their own fleet and conquer the galaxy. Players can pilot every ship from a first-person perspective, ranging from small fighters to massive capital ships. During combat, players must get their ships close enough to enemy vessels or space stations to deploy groups of marines that board enemy vessels, take control, and help expand their fleet.
As the Marines push through the enemy ship, the player can continue the space battle, targeting core systems to help secure victory. Players can choose how they board, with the drive-by method being a fan favorite. While other core aspects of the game offer a challenge, many argue that boarding feels too easy, lacking real risk or difficulty, making it less satisfying compared to others in this ranking.
5 Star Wars Battlefront 2
One Of The Best Star Wars Experiences Out There
Star Wars Battlefront II
- Released
- October 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
Although it isn’t typically classified as a space game, the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 deserves recognition for its boarding mechanics. During space battles, players can pilot iconic Star Wars starfighters like the X-Wing to take down enemy fighters, frigates, and most importantly, board enemy capital ships in real time.
Once players board an enemy ship, they can steal enemy starfighters, destroy core systems like the shield generator, create chaos, and even land troop transports, allowing them and their team to spawn inside the enemy ships. This fan-favorite feature is still highly requested for new Star Wars games and was incredibly fun during split-screen and multiplayer sessions.
4 PULSAR: Lost Colony
Like Sea Of Thieves, But In Space
- Developer: Leafy Games
- Released: June 22, 2021
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Steam, Linux
- Genres: Space Simulator, Co-op, Open World, Adventure
PULSAR: Lost Colony is a co-op game that is best enjoyed with a group of friends. It’s a space simulator reminiscent of Sea of Thieves, where every player on the ship has a role to play in helping the ship run smoothly. While primarily an exploration game, players can engage in combat against a variety of enemies and even board and capture enemy ships.
There are five classes to play: the Captain, the Pilot, the Scientist, the Weapons Specialist, and the Engineer. Each role is pretty self-explanatory, and when it comes to boarding enemy ships, the Weapons Specialist takes the lead. Boarding ships can yield high rewards, like great loot or even capturing the enemy ship. The co-op aspect makes this one of the more enjoyable games in the ranking, often leading to hilarious and chaotic moments, especially with a full crew of friends.
3 FTL: Faster Than Light
A Lightweight, Yet Complex Space Strategy Game
FTL: Faster Than Light
- Released
- September 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Subset Games
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Roguelike
Players shouldn’t be fooled by FTL: Faster Than Light’s minimalist interface and 2D art style. This is one of the most challenging and in-depth space simulators in this ranking. With permadeath in play, every decision carries weight. Ship boarding becomes a crucial tactic, especially when systems fail and chaos erupts during intense combat.
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In FTL: Faster Than Light, combat is key, and ship boarding often serves as a backup tactic when things go south. Players can send their crew members onto enemy ships in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide, and if they are successful, they can disable key systems or even capture the vessel to continue their journey. However, if the boarding party, including the captain, dies, it’s game over, raising the stakes and delivering a heart-pounding experience.
2 Marauders (Early Access)
A Disel-Punk Looter Shooter
Marauders (Game)
- Released
- October 3, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Small Impact Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Marauders lets players step into the boots of a space pirate in an alternate timeline where World War I never ended and eventually spilled out into space. Players take on the role of Marauders, traveling the galaxy, boarding ships, and looting anything of value along the way. This tactical shooter has a unique feel, as players use World War 1 and 2 style weapons while fighting in the far reaches of space.
Once boarded, either solo or as a group, players can stealthily navigate the enemy ship, shutting down security systems, hacking terminals, and making off with the loot. Alternatively, they can go loud, taking the fight directly to the enemy in intense, visually stunning combat. After every successful mission, players can upgrade weapons and armor, as well as customize their ships, adding a satisfying sense of progression and improving the game's replayability.
1 Heat Signature
A Top-Down Space Shooter
Heat Signature
- Released
- September 21, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Suspicious Developments
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Heat Signature is a top-down shooter where players sneak onto enemy ships to steal loot, take out high-value targets, and rescue prisoners. Players can go full stealth, using the top-down view to slip past enemies, or go loud, taking down enemies in action-packed gun fights, while even blowing up parts of the ship with the modular destruction feature. Unlike other entries in this ranking, Heat Signature doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it easy for players to jump in without having to learn complex systems or mechanics.
Heat Signature’s arcade-style gameplay and randomly generated missions make it one of the most enjoyable titles in this ranking, appealing to both casual and serious players and the wide range of unique gadgets allows for some creative kills. With the ability to pause time at any moment, players can set up one-of-a-kind kills, like swapping places with an enemy, causing them to shoot themselves. By turning what’s usually a side mechanic into a great game, Heat Signature has earned its spot as possibly the best spaceship boarding game out there.
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