What are the best space games you can play right now? There’s no easy answer to that question, but we tried our best to put together a varied list of the most memorable space odysseys you can embark on, covering many genres across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms. As of August 2023, these are our favorite space games.
It was easy to include several outstanding first-party titles, but we’ve chosen to focus mainly on multiplatform releases instead. We think there’s something here for all kinds of players, and we’re also pointing out whether you can play them via Game Pass and PlayStation Plus too. If you’re looking for PS5 and Xbox-specific lists, we’ve got you covered with our up-to-date best PS5 space games and best Xbox space games articles. But for now, here are our favorite space games right now regardless of platform.
The best space games are:
- No Man’s Sky
- Dead Space Remake
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Elite Dangerous
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Alien: Isolation
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Outer Wilds
- Star Trek Online
- Endless Space 2
No Man’s Sky
We know its launch was a bit of a crash-landing, but Hello Games managed to turn the ship around with juicy patches and huge free content updates. Almost seven years later, No Man’s Sky is among the best space games, urging you to get lost exploring strange new worlds alone or with some friends.
Hello Games also offers a free current-gen upgrade to owners of the Xbox One and PS4 versions, so you’ll be playing the best possible iteration of No Man’s Sky from the get-go if you’re not on PC. Even if you’re not a huge fan of sci-fi games, we think it’s one of the best open world games on Xbox and PS5 too, so be sure to give it a chance. To add to the immersion, No Man’s Sky also supports VR, making it one of the best PSVR 2 games as well.
No Man’s Sky is available on Game Pass for Xbox consoles and PC.
Or you can pick it up on PlayStation platforms here.
Dead Space Remake
We couldn’t write this list without giving a shoutout to the stunning and excellent remake of the first Dead Space, which made the 2008 space horror classic even more terrifying and approachable.
You might be expecting an audiovisual overhaul and some QoL changes to justify the premium price tag, but both its content and the narrative were expanded in smart ways as well, making Isaac Clarke’s first nightmarish adventure more impressive than many modern sci-fi horror games released over the last 15 years. If you’re brave enough, put this one at the top of your list. Still not convinced? Check out our Dead Space review to see why we love it so much.
2023’s Dead Space remake is available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. However, you can also play the original trilogy with an EA Play or Xbox Game Pass subscription!
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Square Enix’s AAA Marvel projects had a bit of a rough start with Marvel’s Avengers, but Eidos-Montréal’s take on Guardians of the Galaxy was a huge win. From the sleek visuals to the exquisite writing, this one’s an old-fashioned single-player adventure full of action and heart which no one should miss.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is grand and epic first and foremost, but it’ll stay with you thanks to the little moments that bring the whole thing together and remind you of what big AAA studios can achieve outside the current trends when publishers trust vision and experience over market research. We loved our time with the game during our Guardians of the Galaxy review playthrough, we hope Eidos-Montréal get the chance to tell another brilliant single-player story soon.
The Guardians of the Galaxy game is also currently available at no extra cost to those with a PS Plus Extra or Premium subscription. Alternatively, pick up the Xbox version here or grab it on PC here.
Elite Dangerous
While its console releases sadly aren’t getting any more updates, Elite Dangerous still is the go-to spaceship sim regardless of your modern platform of choice. Of course, the best version is the PC one, but we believe it’s still an exciting (and often calming) ride on consoles too.
The learning curve might be steep, but Elite Dangerous is among the most rewarding space games available at the moment. Its persistent, lived-in online universe and flexible offering of missions and occupations will keep you busy for many many hours. It may not be for everyone, but we recommend giving this space exploration game a go.
Grab it on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC here.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
The original Mass Effect trilogy still holds up remarkably well, especially after 2021’s Legendary Edition re-release, which includes all the DLC packs (minus some pieces of ME1 content lost to time) and a handful of visual upgrades and QoL changes that round out an unforgettable, character-driven space epic.
You’re getting action, romance, adventure, political intrigue, and a whole galaxy to save from the imposing Reapers, one of the coolest “ancient evils” in modern videogames. Moreover, replays are more than encouraged to explore different outcomes and try to save the one squad member you had a crush on.
The Mass Effect Legendary Edition can be enjoyed at no extra cost if you’ve got an EA Play or Game Pass subscription, or you can buy it on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a regular pick in anyone’s best Xbox horror games and PS5 horror games lists, but it’s also one hell of a space-set adventure full of gorgeous retro-futuristic aesthetics, topped with one of the thickest atmospheres ever.
The story works wonderfully as an interquel set between the original Alien film and its sequel. It follows Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, 15 years after the events which led to the destruction of the cargo ship Nostromo and the disappearance of Sigourney Weaver’s iconic character. This is arguably the best game the Alien franchise has to offer, and is definitely one of the top space games you can play right now.
Here’s where you can grab it on PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, and PC. While it’s definitely worth grabbing at full price, Alien: Isolation is often on sale or discounted in some capacity, so if you ever see it for cheap, we encourage you even more wholeheartedly to pick it up.
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is all about dwarves in space doing dwarven things – digging and blowing up rocks in search of valuable minerals, to be exact. The company DRG pays well for them, but of course, there are many dangers below the surface…
Deep Rock Galactic still reigns supreme as one of the best co-op games you can play on modern platforms. Beyond the class-based gameplay and procedural level design, the progression systems are solid yet easy to grasp, and the game has been getting strong content updates that only make it even more robust. It’s also one of the best games like Minecraft for younger players who are maybe looking for something a bit spicier.
For Xbox and PC players, you can also play Deep Rock Galactic on Game Pass, so if you’ve got a subscription, you’ve definitely got zero reason not to give this one a try. PlayStation players can grab it for PS5 and PS4 here.
Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds became a hit sensation right away, and it’s gained a strong cult following over the years thanks to its unusual premise: exploring a solar system that is stuck in a 22-minute time loop that ends with its star going supernova. The mission? Learn about an extinct race’s secrets and try to find the cause of the loop.
It might be hard to wrap your head around Outer Wilds at first, as it could be classified as an odd first-person adventure filled with stupefying puzzles, but its unique design and many mysteries, coupled with an enchanting atmosphere, are hard to resist.
Outer Wilds is available on Xbox consoles, PlayStation consoles, and PC. However, if you’re PlayStation player with PS Plus Extra or Premium, you can enjoy this excellent space game as part of your subscription.
Star Trek Online
Cryptic Studios has kept working on Star Trek Online over the years, making it one of the best free-to-play MMORPGs around and a different kind of space odyssey that can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways.
Of course, trekkies will make the most out of this one, but we believe anyone into both online games and sci-fi should give it a try. It covers both third-person exploration and combat while also nailing the feel of strategic, real-time space battles.
Star Trek Online is free-to-play on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, so it’ll cost you nothing to give it a try.
Endless Space 2
We consider Endless Space 2 to be the best 4X strategy title with a space setting which you can play right now. While it might behave like Civilization and other famous 4X titles on the surface, the path to victory varies a lot depending on which species you choose to command.
The Endless Space universe is vast and rich with interesting bits of lore and weird twists on famous sci-fi elements that keep things engaging run after run. If you’re into hours-long matches and ambitious universe-building, this is a must-play. Unfortunately for PS5 and Xbox players, it’s only on PC at the moment. While we’ve got our fingers tightly crossed, a console port isn’t looking too likely. If you’ve got a PC though, definitely give it your attention.
So, there you have it – our picks for the best space games available to play right now. Whether you’re after cosmic-themed puzzlers or endless exploration across an entire universe, there’s something here for every space enthusiast. For more incredible games, check out our rundown of the best games of all time, or have a look at which free PS5 games and free Xbox games we recommend picking up for those wanting a new game without stumping up some cash.
