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GamingOpen WorldSpace Games

What are the best open world space games?

34

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Considered

398

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Recs.

Feb 5, 2024

Last
Updated

33 Games Considered

Best open world space games	Price	Steam Rating	Genre
81 Elite: Dangerous	29,99$	Mostly Positive	Space trading and combat game
77 Star Citizen	$45	-	-
-- Kerbal Space Program	$39.99	Overwhelmingly Positive	-
-- Starbound	$13.99	Very Positive	Survival
-- The Outer Worlds	$59.99	-	-

Elite: Dangerous

Top Pro

Very realistic representation of space & star systems

Elite Dangerous uses publicly available real world star maps that we have of the Milky Way consisting of 150,000 star systems. Although in the current beta, full access to the entire galaxy is limited, in the final game, you will be able to visit any of the 400 billion stars in our galaxy on a 1:1 scale. Stars that we do know of are properly mapped in place and are of the correct type given the information we have about them. Stars we haven't collected data on are procedurally generated which allows you to explore any of the 400 billion of them. Star systems are intelligently simulated using the "Star Forge", a generator that simulates the creation of a star system forming from its nebular cloud to determine what celestial bodies appear and what orbits they have. This feature leads to many varied and unique star systems possibly with planets that can co-orbit around each other, or with binary star systems, and infinitely more possibilities. See More

Top Con

Really complicated to learn

Looking up faqs and trade routes from first hand users will be the norm for figuring out many aspects of Elite: Dangerous. On top of this notes will have to be taken, which is made more difficult by the fact the game does not support in game not taking. So a pad and paper is recommended to remember all of the minutia of the game. See More

Alex Gower's Experience

Runs on gtx 670 See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Mostly Positive

Genre:Space trading and combat game

Co-Op:Multiplayer

Controller Support:Full

Top Pro

Exploration at every level of detail

Full exploration of the galaxy is planned, allowing you to be able to jump from star system to star system, and fly around within a solar system from planet to planet, eventually going all the way down to a planet's surface at a 1:1 scale in a later update. Planetary landings will require a lot of details to be developed and designed, but you can still see the level of detail shift in action when flying into a planet's rings, where getting close enough show the individual asteroids within, which you can then interact with through mining, or by having a battle among them. See More

Top Con

"Mile Wide and an Inch Deep"

The game has a serious problem with depth and requires the user to repeat the same few fun actions over and over again. The world is massive and beautiful but feels empty. The game gets stale quickly despite being visually stunning. See More

RickZeeland's Experience

Now on offer on Humble Bundle for only €6.24 https://www.humblebundle.com/store/elite-dangerous See More

Top Pro

Great Oculus Rift integration

Elite Dangerous has very good integration with the Oculus Rift thanks to its cockpit view only gameplay philosophy. All ship UIs are part of displays that appear on each side of you that appear when you turn your head, so accessing the navigation or ship menus happens seamlessly just by looking in their direction. The game also uses the direction you are looking in for targeting, so your lock on target is whatever you're head is pointing at. By sitting in the cockpit of a ship, you are given a stationary frame of reference that helps prevent motion sickness associated with movement in game when you aren't actually moving. See More

Top Con

No longer updated in console

Game no longer gets updates like the PC version . See More

Top Pro

Built with future expansion in mind

When Elite Dangerous come out, development won't stop. To build a game with the huge scope of Elite Dangerous, not all of it can be done at once, so the developers have adopted an approach of incremental improvement. Various game play elements are being designed as a foundation for later features. For example, although planetary landings aren't going to be available until a later update, the engine has been designed to be able to support going from lightyears away to meters away. See More

Top Con

The console versions get all of the updated material last, instead of at the same time as PC players

Top Con

Launcher issues

Launcher and the account linking works poorly. See More

Star Citizen

Top Pro

Vast, detailed sci-fi world

A long term goal is to have over 400 different star systems in game, most of which will have many planets within them. See More

Top Con

Requires a powerful computer

To be able to run the game you need an expensive pc with high end materials. See More

ToughEuphrosyne's Experience

Star Citizen is a very fun multiplayer game with a vast world to explore. In this game, you can create an organization and do whatever you'd like with it. I personally have had an amazing experience and I definitely recommend it. See More

Top Pro

Ability to command persistent ships and stations

Players will be able to command multi-person ships with other users who will be able to command their own stations on said ships. See More

Top Con

Incomplete; might never come out

The alpha is playable but very buggy; it supposedly represents less than 10% of the finished game, which was supposed to be released several years ago (as of 2020) and has no release date in sight. Despite a frankly staggering amount of funding, the developers never hit their deadlines and it's becoming ever more doubtful that the game will ever be released in anything resembling a finished state. See More

Top Pro

A true PC game

It's been stated that the game will take full advantage of PC's capabilities and will not be held back by a need to accommodate a console port. See More

Top Con

Long waiting

The game will be released in 4 or 5 years. See More

Top Pro

Includes a singleplayer mode, called "Squadron 42"

Squadron 42 is a single player campaign that takes place in the in game universe that allows players to play offline. See More

Top Con

Terrible UI

The UI is incredibly frustrating to use. While it is nice to have a button for nearly everything, the UI is messy and often confuses itself. See More

Top Pro

Fully immersive multiplayer universe

Top Con

Maybe too big to be real

The game wants to be the biggest space game ever. It wants to have everything and maybe will not be able to deliver. See More

Top Pro

Dynamic economy system

The economy of the game and the actions to keep it moving are constantly going on in the background but allows for players to step in and out of it at their leisure in order to take part. See More

Top Con

This information is wholly inaccurate

They are separate modules that must each be purchased. The company focuses on making new shiny ships to sell to idiots rather than actual world development. How long will people hold on to this false hope? See More

Kerbal Space Program

Top Con

Steep learning curve

Kerbal Space Program is not really a pick up and play title. It can take hours just go grasp the basics and the game will keep throwing new concepts at you as you progress into space, even stuff like orbital dynamics. Because of this, it can easily take dozens of hours to truly master this game. See More

Top Pro

Huge modding scene

There's a plethora of mods available that can change every single aspect of the game. See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Overwhelmingly Positive

Top Pro

In constant development

KSP is a shinning example of early release done right. The currently available game is fun to play, and the developers are constantly adding new major additions. See More

Top Pro

Motivates you to learn

Kerbal Space Program puts into perspective how amazing the advancement of the human race is. It inspires you to learn our history, how we got here, and what we can do proceed. See More

Top Pro

Excellent construction sandbox for building and launching rockets

KSP at its core is a rocket building and launching sandbox. When creating a rocket you can place engines, fuel cells, structural elements, and even parachutes, allowing you to build a rocket in any shape and size. The end result can even look like a giant doughnut, which might be difficult to get it into outer space. Even if you fail, the entirety of the process is really enjoyable. See More

Top Pro

Tons of stuff to do

Build rockets, space planes, space stations, rovers, landers, probes. Explore planets, moons, capture asteroids, set up a communications network, colonize a planet, mine for resources and much more. It can even simulate our solar system. See More

No Man's Sky

Top Pro

Seamless space to planetary flight

Top Con

No clearly defined missions

The objective of the game is to ultimately reach the center of the galaxy. However, the player is completely free and unguided from the beginning. You figure it out for yourself as you start mining, crafting and upgrading your ship and gear. This game doesn't have a big story to tell. See More

IntellectualKusarikku's Experience

Great game but don't believe that dinosaur. I am on V1.38 & big changes coming July 2018. No one to tell you what to do unless you want to listen. 1000 ways to play the game. I am at 1000 hours & others at 2000 so there is something. Loads of things to get done. Do them. Don't do them. It is up to you. Honest, this is great fun and rewarding when you get something you really want. See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Very Positive

Genre:Action-Adventure, Survival

Top Pro

Freedom to choose how you want to play

Ally with factions, trade or just be a pirate. When trading with NPC aliens, you build up a positive reputation with the faction they belong to. Alternatively you can also be hostile and attack trade ships, or even be attacked by NPC pirate spaceships. Both can be ways to get what you need, so do whatever suits your play style. See More

ModestIapetus's Experience

I have owned the game since release, have over 2000 hours play on it and really enjoy it. It is a game you can always come back to and pick up from where you are. There is a great community spirit on game and frequently new content from Hello Games. See More

Top Pro

Good graphics

The art style of this game is very colorful and saturated and uses hues in a way that it gives you an otherworldly feel. Graphics like these tend to remain good for a much longer time than classic 3D graphics. See More

FONZACUS's Experience

its actually a decent game now with all the patches and fixes, altho it feels like a never ending eternal alpha release. will never buy early access again... See More

Top Pro

Massive galaxy to explore

Thanks to the fact that the entire galaxy of No Man's Sky is procedurally generated, the amount of planets to explore is almost endless. The number of planets would be 18,446,744,073,709,551,616. See More

Top Pro

Endless procedural generation

This game procedurally generates almost everything. Your spaceships are procedurally generated, so are the planets, moons, every animal on these planets, the resource nodes, trade routes, languages, etc. When discovering new species or planets, players get to rename these and leave their mark on the galaxy. See More

Top Pro

Redeemed itself

From zero to (maybe) hero, they're trying to continue forward instead of dumping it. See More

Top Pro

Developers respond quickly

Through the NMS Zendesk, players can suggest new gameplay and report any glitches found during play. HG always respond very quickly and release patches to repair any glitches/bugs that are identified which is really good. See More

Top Pro

Frequent new content and it's free

Hello Games are routinely adding new elements to the game, new Expeditions, new tech, additional build materials/items. See More

Top Pro

Great community

A game where there are so many established players who are willing to help newcomers, great community around the game. See More

Avorion

Top Pro

Beautiful, new and fun

The game is beautifully made. The visuals are fascinating. The ship building process is not traditional. You can build any kind of ship you like. Weapon variety is huge. Game mechanics are smooth and easy to understand. Less graphical requirements. It works like a charm even on on-board graphics, though OpenGl graphics are known to cause problems in the games and slight lag/performance issues. Almost everything is available in the Demo version. The demo map is huge enough that it'll take you 2-3 months to explore if you play everyday for 2-3 hours. Plenty of weapons are upgrade options in the demo version. Multiplayer on LAN and Internet and Hosting capabilities, making it easier to play with your friends See More

Top Con

Time consuming

Be prepared to invest a lot of time, this is not a game for the impatient! See More

RickZeeland's Experience

Now on offer on Steam for only $12.49 See More

Specs

Starsector

Top Pro

Real-time Economic Markets systems

Everything heavily relies on good, trade and supply chains to create great markets and running the colony. Your action and playstyle can have a great on the system, you can make your own colony becoming no.1 most shares percentage on any goods legal and illegal on global markets or the best part, you can destroy the global market and cause every faction to becoming your enemy cause of your action. See More

Top Con

9 years, still in alpha

Due its being develop by 4 people, this game released in 2010 and receive big update yearly and according to developers, it is still in alpha, don't get me wrong, it's already huge but the fact that's still alpha, might be turn off for some people but you can recommending your grandchildren to buy full official release. See More

Specs

Top Pro

Great Combat System

Combat take place in one area, real time and automatically or you can control your own ship, very challenging and very satisfying. See More

Top Pro

Fully support modding

Mods will make this game better than it already is, with mod that allows 4X features, more ship, more weapons, more faction with even more ship and weapons and alot more. Easy to modding, very active and helpful community and fully support by developers See More

Top Pro

Many Play Style

You can either play trader who trade legal/illegal goods to colony to improve or destroy shock markets systems or be a pirate who ambush trader convoy, steal their goods, ruin factions trade route and destroy economy or be a bounty hunter who hurt down pirate/wanted fleet for juicy money and reputation or start your own colony, building up your faction, stabilizing your colony, create new (black)markets place for trader and more. An endless playstyle at your choice See More

Top Pro

Nice Sound

Rebel Galaxy

Top Pro

Mass effect inspired story-line choices

As you progress through the main story you get to make a variety of decisions in how you communicate, negotiate or how you go about a mission. See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Very Positive

Genre:Space combat

Top Pro

Great soundtrack

Rebel Galaxy has a cowboy-rock themed background music that is somewhat remiscient of Firefly and Cowboy Bepop. See More

Top Pro

Well thought out in-game economy

You can make money in the game by completing quests, mining or trading. The prices fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including some that you can influence by doing things like destroying incoming shipments. See More

Top Pro

You're free to play the game however you like

Rebel Galaxy is a procedurally generated open world game that enables you to play through the main quest or completely ignore it and play as a bounty hunter or a space pirate or whatever else takes your fancy. Given the procedural nature of the in-game world, exploring is also very fun and rewarding. See More

Top Pro

Fun and rewarding combat mechanics

The combat in Rebel Galaxy is based on naval warfare as it's somewhat constrained to 2 dimensions. Guns can be set to fire on rules you define which can make the combat feel more like you're commanding a battle crew. There are a decent variety of weapons to choose from an upgrade and getting good at positioning and managing shields makes the combat have just enough depth to stay fun. See More

Freelancer

Top Pro

Great story

This game has a really good story with lots of twists. Very well balanced side missions, your pay is based on the type of task being completed while multiplied by distance to target place and few other factors. See More

ClassyNehebkau's Experience

Freelancer more than any game since the original Elite or Wing Commander, set the bar for me on space based games. It had great story elements, stunning graphics and the combat / flight controls were intuitive so as not to detract from the action. This led to Star point Gemini, but Freelancer and it’s beautiful gameplay have always stuck with me. See More

Specs

Genre:Space combat & trading game, 3rdPS

Top Pro

Fun to replay in different ways

Top Pro

Has fanbase made MODs and modified versions of the game

Has fanbase made MODs and modified versions of the game itself to get past the outdated graphics. There's story expansions, full remakes, and a lot more to experience! See More

Top Pro

Easy to pickup and learn

The controls have been simplified to the point where it isn't intimidating for new players. You can't control which systems receive more/less power in tight situations, and other systems have been dummed down as well: repairing your ship can be done with the click of a button instead of needing to wait, there is no radar to track, and there's less information available making it easier to focus on a single task. See More

Top Pro

Low system requirements

This game has very low hardware requirements. It can be played even on an old netbook with windows XP, 1 Ghz Intel Atom CPU, and 1GB RAM. Game runs with 40-60 fps without single crash. See More

EVE Online

Top Con

Spreadsheets in space

At the very core, that's what it is. You'll be looking at tons of stats, calculating % resistances and DPS. It's a paradise for math savants and economics geeks, but not so much if you just want to blow things up quickly. The graphics are there, but combat takes place at a few kilometers at least, so you won't be ever seeing your ship and the enemys' at the same time (unless as tiny silhouettes). Which only enhances the feeling that combat is a set of dynamic spreadsheets rather than a real visceral thing. See More

Top Pro

360' freedom of movement

Up, down, left and right simply stop having a meaning when it comes to space. Making for a true space simulator in that the controls mimic how objects would behave in a real space environment. See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Mostly Positive

Genre:SciFi MMO

Co-Op:Online Co-Op / PvP

Top Pro

Real freedom

You can do anything. literally anything. You can become a massive entrepreneur and deal with billions of ISK, set up a pirate base in wormhole space, explore anomalies, build massive ships, become CEO of a player-run industrial corporation. There's tons and tons and tons of stuff. This is likely the most sandboxy of MMO sandboxes. See More

X3: Terran Conflict

Top Pro

Deep, open-ended gameplay

You can fight, build, trade, pirate - so much to do! See More

Top Con

Daunting for new players

This series has a long pedigree. It has a lot of complexity that you get dropped into pretty quickly, and the plot has some quirks. If you don't mind sometimes checking out a wiki to wrap your head around something or to get unstuck, you'll be fine. See More

Specs

Steam Rating:Very Positive

Genre:Space combat und trading

Top Pro

You can own an empire, not just a ship

You start in a small fighter or trade ship, but can own and control as many ships and stations as you care to build up, including some unique facilities tied to the story. See More

Darkstar One

Specs

Steam Rating:Very Positive

Genre:Space combat game

Starcom: Unknown Space

Specs

Steam Rating:Very Positive

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw

Specs

Steam Rating:Mixed

Genre:Space combat und trading

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