10 Best Space Adventure Games of All Time

Buckle your seatbelts and ready your virtual space suits: we’re embarking on an epic journey through the cosmos—but you won’t need a spaceship for this adventure. Ever since the dawn of gaming, we’ve been obsessed with the idea of conquering the final frontier from the comfort of our living rooms. The call of distant galaxies, the thrill of first contact, and the promise of unexplored worlds have made space adventure games an enduring staple in the gaming universe. So get ready to launch into hyperdrive as we countdown the 10 Best Space Adventure Games of All Time. Trust us, this is one odyssey you don’t want to miss.

Mass Effect Series

The “Mass Effect” series is a critically acclaimed science fiction role-playing video game series developed by BioWare. The main games in the series are “Mass Effect” (2007), “Mass Effect 2” (2010), “Mass Effect 3” (2012), and “Mass Effect: Andromeda” (2017). In 2021, a remastered edition of the original trilogy, known as “Mass Effect Legendary Edition,” was also released, offering enhanced graphics and gameplay.

The series is set in a fictional universe where humanity has discovered advanced technology left behind by an extinct race called the Protheans. This technology allows for faster-than-light travel and has enabled various species to interact and coexist in a complex galactic society. The story generally centers around Commander Shepard, a human soldier who becomes involved in a galaxy-spanning conflict against threats like the Reapers, ancient synthetic-organic starships that periodically wipe out all advanced civilization in the galaxy.

Kerbal Space Program

“Kerbal Space Program” (often abbreviated as KSP) is a space flight simulation game developed and published by the Mexican video game developer Squad. The game was initially released in 2011 and officially in 2015, after a period of being available in early access. It gained a large following for its realistic approach to space exploration and its endearing, albeit often comical, green humanoid characters known as Kerbals.

In “Kerbal Space Program,” players are given control of the space program for the fictional planet Kerbin, inhabited by the Kerbals. The core gameplay involves designing, building, and flying spacecraft to achieve various objectives, which can be as simple as reaching a certain altitude or as complex as landing on another celestial body and returning safely. The game is notable for its realistic orbital mechanics, which adhere closely to real-world physics.

Elite Dangerous

Space simulation game “Elite Dangerous” is developed and published by Frontier Developments. It was released in December 2014 and is the fourth installment in the “Elite” video game series, following the original “Elite” (1984), “Frontier: Elite II” (1993), and “Frontier: First Encounters” (1995). Created by David Braben and Ian Bell, the original “Elite” is considered one of the first and most influential open-world games.

It is a game where players take on the role of a spaceship pilot who explores a realistic 1:1 scale open-world representation of the Milky Way galaxy. The game features a full-scale simulation of over 400 billion star systems, complete with planets, moons, asteroids, and other celestial phenomena. Gameplay is open-ended, allowing players to explore, trade, fight, mine, and engage in various other activities.

Dead Space Series

“Dead Space” series is a survival horror video game franchise developed by EA Redwood Shores (later known as Visceral Games) and published by Electronic Arts. The series debuted in 2008 with the release of the original “Dead Space” game and has since received several sequels and spin-offs, including “Dead Space 2” (2011) and “Dead Space 3” (2013). While not strictly a space “adventure” series in the same vein as “Mass Effect” or “Elite Dangerous,” the “Dead Space” franchise offers a grim, atmospheric exploration of space settings filled with horror and suspense.

In the “Dead Space” games, players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself battling grotesque, reanimated corpses known as “Necromorphs.” These creatures are the result of an alien artifact known as the Marker. The gameplay combines traditional survival horror elements like limited resources, puzzle-solving, and a tense atmosphere with more action-oriented combat.

No Man’s Sky

An action-adventure survival game “No Man’s Sky” was developed and published by the indie studio Hello Games. The game was released in August 2016 for PlayStation 4 and Windows PC, and later for Xbox One. “No Man’s Sky” generated enormous hype leading up to its release due to its ambitious promise of a virtually infinite, procedurally generated universe.

In this game players take on the role of a customizable character called “The Traveler” and are equipped with a survival exosuit, a multi-tool for mining and combat, and a spacecraft. The game’s universe consists of over 18 quintillion planets, each with its own unique ecosystems, flora, fauna, and weather conditions. Players can explore planets, gather resources, trade, engage in combat, and travel to different star systems.

Everspace

“Everspace” is a roguelike space shooter game developed by Rockfish Games, a German game development studio. The game was initially released in 2017 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Unlike many other space simulation games that focus on realistic physics and complex management systems, “Everspace” combines fast-paced, arcade-style space combat with roguelike elements, all wrapped in high-quality, visually impressive graphics.

In “Everspace,” players take control of a spaceship as they navigate through a series of procedurally generated sectors filled with various challenges, including enemy ships, asteroid fields, and environmental hazards. The ultimate goal is to survive as long as possible while gathering resources and making your way through various sectors to reach the game’s conclusion.

EVE Online

Massively multiplayer online game (MMO) “EVE Online” is set in a persistent science fiction universe. Developed by CCP Games, an Icelandic company, the game was first released in 2003 and has since gained a large and dedicated player base. Unique in its scale and complexity, “EVE Online” is often cited as one of the most intricate and player-driven MMOs available.

Players assume the roles of spaceship pilots (known as “capsuleers”) in a galaxy called New Eden, which comprises thousands of star systems connected by stargates. Players can engage in a variety of activities, including mining, trading, exploration, and combat (both PvE and PvP). Unlike many other MMOs, “EVE Online” does not have predefined paths or missions; players have considerable freedom to choose their own roles and goals.

Faster Than Light (FTL)

“Faster Than Light” (often abbreviated as FTL) is an indie real-time strategy roguelike game developed by Subset Games, released in 2012. The game quickly gained popularity due to its challenging gameplay, deep strategy, and high replay value. It sets itself apart from many other space-themed games with its unique blend of real-time and turn-based strategy elements, as well as its focus on small-scale, tactical decisions rather than grand, sweeping space operas or simulations.

In FTL, players control a spaceship that needs to travel through a series of sectors, each filled with various types of encounters, such as hostile ships, traders, and random events. The ultimate goal is to deliver critical information to your fleet while being pursued by a powerful rebel fleet.

Halo Series

The “Halo” franchise is one of the most iconic and successful in the world of video games, particularly in the realm of first-person shooters. Developed by Bungie and later 343 Industries, the series is published by Xbox Game Studios. The franchise debuted in 2001 with “Halo: Combat Evolved,” which was instrumental in defining the first-person shooter genre for consoles and played a significant role in the success of the original Xbox.

“Halo” games primarily offer first-person shooter gameplay focusing on an interstellar war between humanity and an alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. The protagonist is Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, also known simply as Master Chief, a supersoldier (or “Spartan”) in the UNSC (United Nations Space Command).

X4: Foundations

“X4: Foundations” is a space simulation game developed and published by Egosoft, a German video game developer. It was released in November 2018 and is the latest installment in the long-running “X” series of space simulation games. Known for its intricate and deeply complex gameplay, “X4: Foundations” aims to be a more accessible yet still in-depth iteration of the franchise.

“X4: Foundations” combines open-world sandbox gameplay with space combat, trading, and empire-building elements. The player starts with a small ship and can explore an expansive universe, which comprises numerous star systems and sectors, each filled with planets, space stations, and other celestial phenomena.

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