Space Games Are My Favorite Genre, But Only These Few Titles Nail The Category

Atmosphere. Remember that word. The gaming industry has given rise to swaths of different games over the course of the last handful of decades, but only a few of those have been able to etch their name in history, primarily because of the way they make the other person feel. I myself have personally found space-centric titles to be hitting the nail on the head with the overall delivery of immersion. 

And it’s not just me. The sentiment has been felt across the board by players from all over, so I thought to put together a curated list of some of the most worth-playing space games in the business that you should not look past at any cost. If you’re a gamer looking to try new experiences, read on right away.  

Exceptional Action Driven By Remarkably Well-Done Gameplay 

Oh, and do not forget to post a comment down below in case you have a suggestion to add to the listicle. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.  

1. Titanfall 2 

With flawless mobility that has you moving around like nothing else, Titanfall 2 is the one single game I’ll keep on recommending to every player until either Respawn makes a sequel or I kick the bucket. The shooter, despite coming out almost a decade ago, somehow manages to go toe-to-toe against the juggernauts of its genre, thanks to its high-quality gunplay, and that gem of a campaign that does nothing but impress right off the bat. 

While technically not a space game because most of the fighting takes place on a single planet, Titanfall 2 does have space travel involved. Doesn’t matter, though, and let me just fanboy here a little bit, this first-person shooter is not to be missed in any case. 

2. Alien: Isolation

This one’s an easy recommendation for what it genuinely brings to the table, but before we move forward, please let me make something loud and clear. Alien: Isolation is not for the faint of heart. It is going to give you a mental breakdown just because of how stressful it can be at times, but on the flip side, that’s the beauty of it anyway. The first-person survival horror is meant to be played on a higher difficulty.

The setting is obviously space-centric, given how the big bad Xenomorph somehow breaks loose into a space station called Sevastopol, putting the whereabouts of the protagonist’s mother in mystery. I won’t give away the deets any further; make sure you find out what’s what yourself. 

3. Outer Wilds

Can’t catch a break from games that have you repeating the same cycle of going to point A, killing bad guys, and then rinsing and repeating? Try Outer Wilds for a change and observe how it does not revolve around shooting or cutting someone down, but instead, proposes one of the most innovative progression systems known to gamers that’s based on knowledge. 

You got that right.

Outer Wilds is space-themed and has you navigating through multiple planets with different characteristics and unique features tied to each of them. It’s certainly a high-end experience unfound elsewhere, and proudly a personal favorite that keeps me going even beyond the 1000-hour mark. 

4. No Man’s Sky

Back when No Man’s Sky, the expected ultimate space sim, came out in 2016, it was in a woefully broken state, pretty akin to Cyberpunk 2077, but this one’s issues ran much deeper. Hello Games — the developer — however, never gave up on the IP, and turned things around drastically for the ambitious action-adventure, delivering a comeback quite like no other. 

About 8 years later into its release, No Man’s Sky is nothing short of a joy to play through. Its terrific soundtrack coupled with gorgeous visuals and intuitive exploration makes for an experience worth having. eXputer rated the title 3.5/5.0 in its review, with author Moiz Banoori remarking, 

After all these years, No Man’s Sky is still a delight to play, especially when exploring and visiting new places with friends.” 

5. Deep Rock Galactic

I have nothing but genuine praise for Deep Rock Galactic. First off, the game has a wholesome community that holds the hands of every new player and welcomes them with a warm embrace, and secondly, it’s just too much fun.

The replayability value is insane, considering how the main objective revolves around mining, repairing, and extraction in a level design that just works beautifully in the shooter’s favor, offering zero dull moments whatsoever. Don’t sleep on this one. 

6. Halo 3

Although the Halo franchise of space-oriented shooters is only a remnant of its former glory today, you cannot help but reminisce about the greatness of some of the early Halo games from time to time. Halo 3, in particular, is arguably considered the best in the series, all thanks to its tight gameplay, fantastic storyline, and an immersive setting that really grips you in from start to finish.