Best space games 2024: Outer Wilds, No Man's Sky, Dead Space, and more

Outer space has to be one of the most attractive settings for games, so here's our list of the best space games out there for you to enjoy.

While upcoming space games do offer up exciting, new voyages among the stars, there are plenty of epic previously released video games that you can explore.

Of course, we've considered long-running, fan-favorite franchises such as Star Wars and Star Trek, which continue to put out some serious bangers. However, some of the better stuff might have flown under your radar, and we're here to help you discover the best space games, no matter how big or small.

If you're looking for more specific space game picks based on genre, then check out our list of the best space exploration games and the spooky best space horror games list. We also have some suggestions about space games that should be movies or TV shows. There's plenty to choose from!

1. Outer Wilds

• Release date: May 28, 2019
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Mobius Digital

Outer Wilds is open-world gaming at its best, as it creates a non-linear playing experience that allows you to crisscross the solar system. It's a timed adventure, actually, as you're going to find yourself in a 22-minute loop that finishes with the sun dying. Your goal is to explore the planets in front of you in hopes that some alien race has a secret to show you how to stop the sun from its supernova explosion.

Besides the overall arch of the gameplay, which is fun enough on its own, Outer Wilds comes with compelling characters, gorgeous puzzles, and mysterious situations that will require some creativity to solve.

2. Kerbal Space Program

• Release date: April 27, 2015
• Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5
• Developer: Squad

While the sequel to Kerbal Space Program is already out, the original game remains superior. This romp through physics encourages players to create a space program and operate it using Kerbals, who are little humanoid astronauts. Create vehicles and starships to explore the universe and you'll soon be well on your way... or not.

The original game is packed with mods and forums to get you going through the steep learning curve, and Kerbal has a loyal community that includes real-life space engineers and space agencies. This is a real fan favorite among space geeks, so make sure to join the program now.

3. No Man's Sky

• Release date: August 9, 2016
• Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Hello Games

No Man's Sky has come a long way since its difficult 2016 release and has been through a lot of reshaping to make it user-friendly and full of things to do. There's a lot of content to enjoy and every player will find a unique experience within the universe, as everything is automatically generated. Multiplayer options are also available to share the fun with friends or other players.

The universe Hello Games aim to present is supposed to be optimistic, full of opportunity and perhaps, a little bit of danger. You'll never quite know what to expect when landing upon a planet, but that's the fun of it. Give yourself the time to explore and you will greatly enjoy the opportunity.

4. Eve Online

• Release date: May 6, 2003
• Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS
• Developer: CCP Games

Don't be fooled by the 2003 release date for Eve Online; it's been accruing updates like barnacles in the decades since, including tons of new ships, quests, and campaigns. However, it's the MMO's dedicated community which is the main reason why it's an experience worth checking out at least once.

Eve Online, like Kerbal and No Man's Sky, does tend to have a bit of a harsh learning curve. Developer CCP Games have fought against the criticism with a user-friendly beginner's guide, as well as other content to bring in people new to space. For those invested in this universe, they say the time is well worth it.

5. Stellaris

• Release date: May 9, 2016
• Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, PS4
• Developer: Paradox Development Studio

Stellaris combines exploration with enemy strategy, as you will be moving across a set of planets while trying to keep ahead of others who are looking to stop your massive empire before it can really get started. Paradox call Stellaris a "sci-fi grand strategy game" and have been expanding the universe regularly through various DLC packs.

To this day, the huge player base remains excited about new content and updates which continue to arrive. The game is billed as allowing you to level up your empire with new mechanics to specialize what your vassals do as they serve you. If you prefer megastructures, there are a bunch of new ones there to get where you want to go a little faster.

6. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

• Release date: May 14, 2021
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
• Developer: BioWare

The exemplary remaster of Mass Effect brings the iconic space exploration trilogy to a fresh generation of consoles. These games are a modern classic that you won't want to miss. With both a direct sequel and a live-action TV adaptation coming our way, now is the perfect time to get on the adventure.

The trilogy follows you, Commander Shepard, captain of the Normandy spacecraft, as you assemble a ragtag crew to save the galaxy. Along the way, you'll meet alien races, explore planets and space stations, take part in more than a few space battles, and probably find yourself getting very familiar with the NPCs making up your team.

Think carefully about all the choices you make as they will influence every major story arc, right up to the very end.

7. Elite Dangerous

• Release date: December 16, 2014
• Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox One, PS4
• Developer: Frontier Developments

Elite Dangerous is best experienced on PC after the company elected to turn away from consoles to shore up development. But even with that caveat, the massive game is an incredible journey through the universe, with maker Frontier Developments attempting to recreate the Milky Way and its planets at scale and to a high degree of realism.

Joining up with other players, you'll find yourself making some tough choices that will influence how the gameplay goes on. You'll start with a small spaceship and attempt to grow your commercial enterprise through activities like bounties, piracy, mining and even assassination.

8. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

• Release date: April 28, 2023
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5
• Developer: Respawn Entertainment

Continuing the adventure of Jedi Cal Kestis and his friends, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes place five years after Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Their struggles and battles against the cruel Galactic Empire wage on, upping the personal stakes for everyone.

Survivor reworked what didn't fully click in 2019's Fallen Order, adding tons of new features without losing sight of what makes the Imperial era of the Star Wars timeline so enchanting. It's a wonderfully bold expansion of the Star Wars universe and mythos, effortlessly bridging several eras of the galaxy's history. Long story short: This video game sequel is modern Star Wars at its very best, and with a threequel already lined up at Respawn, you shouldn't skip it (or its predecessor).

In terms of gameplay, the platforming in Survivor has been taken up to the next level, and the combat is even flashier and more flexible – who doesn't love more lightsaber types and special stances?

9. Dead Space (remake)

• Release date: January 27, 2023
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
• Developer: Motive

Definitely not for the faint of heart, Dead Space is one of the finest space horror games of all time. The original 2008 release of Dead Space is well worth checking out, but Motive's fantastic 2023 remake took everything that worked and elevated it by adding new sections and mechanics. This is a modern must-play and an awesome riff on John Carpenter's The Thing.

Taking on the role of engineer Isaac Clarke, you and your team respond to a distress call from a ship which your wife is stationed on. Unfortunately, your vessel crashes into their docking bay and you end up separated from the others. Now you must find your wife, reunite with your group, and get outta there… but of course things aren't quite that straightforward. As you make your way through the spaceship, there's no sign of the crew and you are instead greeted by the horrific and deadly Necromorphs.

10. Alien: Isolation

• Release date: October 6, 2014
• Platforms: PC, Android, iOS Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Creative Assembly

Your mission in this space horror game is to help Amanda Ripley (daughter of the famous Ellen Ripley from the Alien movie series) to escape the Sevastopol station. We don't want to reveal too much, except to include a line from the game's synopsis: "Unprepared and underequipped, you will need all your wits and daring to get out alive." Gulp.

This decade-old game is widely considered one of the best Alien games of all time, and rightly so! As you play this game, you'll find yourself holding your breath as you attempt to navigate your way to safety.

With fantastic and gripping gameplay, this is an experience not to be missed. Plus, now that we know there's going to be an Alien: Isolation sequel happening, it's the best time to get into the Alien franchise.