Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Smart Home Week
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • Best web hosting
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop

Recommended reading

Baldur's Gate 3 official artwork showing Astarion, Showdowheart, Gale, and Tieflings
PC Gaming The 21 best PC games to play in 2025
A Cathayan general leads his warriors into battle
PC Gaming Best PC strategy games 2025
A shot of a cockpit, looking out the front window of an aircraft
Consoles & PC Best simulation games 2025
Ray tracing in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Gaming The best Star Wars games 2025 - galactic thrills for all
Three players look out over Arrakis. One is sat on a bike
PC Gaming The 17 best multiplayer PC games in 2025
Dutch and the rest of the Van Der Linde gang ride out across a snowy field
Consoles & PC The 19 best story games in 2025
A knight on horseback walks through a lush, green forest
Gaming The 18 best Steam games 2025
  1. Gaming
  2. Consoles & PC
  3. PC Gaming

11 best space games on PC that are out of this world

News
By Dan Griliopoulos published 25 September 2016

Looking to the stars

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

There's a whole lot of space out there. An infinity of it. And there are a whole lot of space games to fill it. (Well, not really, as it's infinity and they're comprised of indefinitely-large data, and even if they were physical they're finite - but it's a metaphor, y'know?)

And they've been around for ever. Elite, one of the first and best space exploration games, was released in 1984. For a generation, games like X-Wing versus Tie-Fighter, Starcraft and the Mark Hamill vehicle Wing Commander carried fans along happily.

They slumped - heavily - in the 2000s and there were questions back then whether space games would ever be big again - but the indie revolution has shot them back into orbit. We've picked out our favourite ten of the current class - tell us what we've missed in the comments.

Check out our Linux vs Windows vs Mac - OS comparison video below.

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
1. Kerbal Space Program

1. Kerbal Space Program

Like your headteacher dressed up as Kanye, the Kerbal Space Program is the most subtly educational game around. Despite its cutesy, Rabbid-like characters, the Kerbal Space Program is a hardcore physics simulator where you get to explore the galaxy - if you can even get a single rocket ship off the ground. (I've never managed it).

You have to build that rocket from parts supplied by a sort-of-NASA, so that it can keep a Kerbal alive for the stressful voyage up into space. It's okay, because you get multiple goes and there are lots of willing Kerbals.

Once up in orbit, you need to take account of gravity, other obstacles and your craft's speed if you want to get any of your lovable Kerbals back to their planet safely - or even worse if you want to land them on the Mun.

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
2. Eve Online

2. Eve Online

I remember my first trip into the space MMO Eve, way back in its public beta in 2003. I remember skipping the tutorial and getting lost amongst the stars, spending three days in a starter spaceship chasing down a friend who was mining stars nearby. Even then it was beautiful, complex and weird.

It's changed a lot since those days. The universe of Eve has been through high-pressure evolution with developer CCP barely keeping control of it as powerful factions run by smart people conquered sections of its space, betrayed each other and regularly sparked wars that destroyed thousands of dollars worth of in-game spaceships.

Despite its age, Eve still manages to look stunning. Regular upgrades by CCP and a loyal community have managed to keep player numbers at around 25-35,000 players logged in on any given day. And if you're looking for a social, intelligent game that might absorb 90% of your free time for the next ten years, you should look no further.

(Oh, and if you have a VR headset, you should probably try Eve: Valkyrie, the VR-only fighter pilot spin-off.)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
3. Fractured Space

3. Fractured Space

Choosing between Born Ready's space games is a hard call. Strike Suit Zero is widely acknowledged to be a solid space action adventure, where you play - but then pseudo-MOBA Fractured Space is like playing Battlestar: Galactica with your mates.

In Fractured Space you take control of a single capital ship fighting in true 3D space that's packed full of asteroids. Despite its 3D setting, it's nearest to World of Tanks or World of Warships in its small 5v5 teams and objective-based combat. Taking one of the specialized ships out results in small DOTA-style skirmishes which results in intense shooter-style combat.

However, we've more included Fractured Space in this list because it's so damn shiny. Flying between the stars you see gorgeous drifting nebula and giant space stations. This is what all space games should look like,

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
4. Homeworld Remastered

4. Homeworld Remastered

The 15-year old Homeworld series has a fair claim to be the best real-time strategy games set in space (though see Battlefleet Gothic: Armada below for a modern 2D alternative) and it was a joy when Gearbox Software bought the rights and re-released it early last year.

Your mothership, the Pride of Higara, contains not only the capability to build all sorts of other ships, but also the remnants of your nearly-extinct race. Most missions in its long campaign have you attempting to mine resources and use them to build ships to defend your mothership. As the campaign goes on, you gather a fleet around your flagship.

The best point is that true 3D combat though, allowing you to utilise bomber squadrons to target frigate's weak top armour or hide your craft behind gas clouds. Superb music, unparalleled visuals and a revamped UI make Homeworld Remastered a joy to experience.

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
5. Galactic Civilizations III

5. Galactic Civilizations III

Master of Orion was the first game to move Civilizations 4X empire-building gameplay to the space stage - but it was Galactic Civilizations that perfected it. The first two games were ecstatically received and, whilst the third one launched much more anonymously it has quietly picked up plaudits for its moreish, horribly varied gameplay.

In the campaign, humanity has cowered on Earth for ten years, watching the Drengin Empire exterminate or subjugate the free races of the galaxy. Now an errant Terran fleet has returned from a pocket universe and hopes to liberate humanity first and the galaxy second.

In the much-more played skirmish and multiplayer modes, you start with a single planet and a handful of spacecraft. The alien races you fight and treat with are charming and quirky, and their empires fit their personalities. The amount of tech to research, the types of structures you can build in space and on the ground, the variety of stars and anomalies to explore… this is a mammoth game designed to last you for a long time.

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
6. Mass Effect 2

6. Mass Effect 2

Commander Shepard's last foray into space might have had a poorly-received ending, but Bioware's twisty space trilogy certainly made for a compelling five year arc. Taking the part of humanity's military representative on the galactic stage, players fought, talked and plotted their way through the galaxy's last days, travelling between the stars in their spaceship the SSV Normandy.

Mass Effect 2 followed a resurrected Commander Shepard as he or she sought to find more information on the insectoid Collectors. Soon, you realise that you need to destroy the enemy's base, but that you need a specialised team to take it down. The entire game is like the Dirty Dozen, as you recruit a bunch of psychopaths, murderers, and technological wizards, then win their loyalty to weld them into a team that can do this impossible suicide mission.

Another edition, Mass Effect: Andromeda is due out in 2017.

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
7. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada

7. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada

We couldn't talk about space without shoehorning in a bit of the grim darkness of the far future. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is a fleet management game set in the 41st Millenium.

In the long singleplayer campaign, you take the side of the Empire, who are the 'goodies', as far as an ethnic cleansing empire run by an army of fascist supermen can be good. You've got to defend several areas of space against the fleets of Chaos (a sadistic, demon-worshipping version of said fascist supermen), the Orks (space Orcs with a British yob attitude to enjoying a punch-up) and the Eldar (uptight space Elves who always think they're right.)

The battles (both single- and multi-player) are tough and tactically-rich where you have to manage your special abilities and your fleet, whilst keeping them alive for later battles. The campaign lets you slowly upgrade and expand your fleet as you start dealing with more and more enemies. And there are some horrible twists in the storyline.

You can read the PC Gamer review over here.

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
8. Elite: Dangerous

8. Elite: Dangerous

It's hard to believe that the long-awaited sequel to the first open universe space game (1984's Elite) has actually been out since 2014. In Elite Dangerous you explore a huge persistent galaxy, trading between space stations, taking out space bandits, mining asteroids, and finding new star systems as you travel. You can also land on planets, and explore them in ground vehicles.

Though it never produces battles on the scale of Eve Online, Elite features first-person combat, where you fly a range of 30+ ships ranging from the tiny Sidewinder fighter to the giant Imperial Cutter and Federal Corvette. And, again, it's a beautiful universe to explore, especially in VR.

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
9. FTL: Faster Than Light

9. FTL: Faster Than Light

2012's FTL was one of the most influential and strange space games released. Essentially, a rogue-like Star Trek simulator, you take the role of a starship captain attempting to reach your fleet and take down the enemy's flagship.

En route though, you have to jump through different areas and sectors. In each of these, you might face a battle or a choose-your-own-adventure style dialogue. Battles are complex things, with guns and missiles going off, robots attacking, assault parties teleporting across, fires spreading and hulls being breached.

On top of that it features some great miniature quests written by Tom Jubert, which can unlock a whole raft of hidden spaceships and crew layouts for you to use your next run.

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
10. Freespace 2

10. Freespace 2

By putting this in, we have ensured that there will be at least one comment asking 'Where's Freelancer.' Much as we'd love to put Chris Taylor's last great space game in, it's simply not available for sale anywhere, so we're going for the older (and arguably superior) Freespace 2 instead.

In the campaign, players take the role of a human pilot fighting against a mysterious alien race, the Shivans. You perform reconnaissance, escort transports, and battle other starfighters from inside your fighter's cockpit, in huge pitched battles involving capital ships, fighters, and missiles galore. Unlike Kerbals, it's not 100% accurate space physics, so it feels more like a dogfighting simulator.

It's notable that because Volition released the source code for the game way back in 2002, players have created the FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project, which has added features, upgrades, mods and graphical updates for the past 14 years.

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
11. No Man's Sky

11. No Man's Sky

We know, we know — No Man's Sky has been widely criticized since its release, but that's mainly because most people thought they would be getting a different kind of title to what emerged from Hello Games' labs. If you're wanting an all-out shooter fest in the style of Destiny then don't go there.

However, if a heavy sense of atmosphere, the feeling of being lost in the depths of space and discovering new plants rank high on your agenda, then No Man's Sky delivers in spades. Its procedurally generated planets mean you never know what you're going to encounter as you dock your spacecraft on a new planet for the first time.

Curious, mis-shapen (and highly dangerous) creatures threaten and fascinate in equal measure, but a need to constantly hunt down resources to replenish health and fuel supplies means you can never linger for too long. Park Star Trek, part Interstellar, No Man's Sky still offers a fantastic space travel experience — just not an action-packed one.

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Dan Griliopoulos
Read more
Baldur's Gate 3 official artwork showing Astarion, Showdowheart, Gale, and Tieflings
The 21 best PC games to play in 2025
A Cathayan general leads his warriors into battle
Best PC strategy games 2025
A shot of a cockpit, looking out the front window of an aircraft
Best simulation games 2025
Ray tracing in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The best Star Wars games 2025 - galactic thrills for all
Three players look out over Arrakis. One is sat on a bike
The 17 best multiplayer PC games in 2025
Dutch and the rest of the Van Der Linde gang ride out across a snowy field
The 19 best story games in 2025
Latest in PC Gaming
Leon S Kennedy, Evelyn Parker, and Isaac Clarke
Steam Summer Sale is even better than I thought – here are the most worthwhile deals
Resident Evil 4 remake, Indiana Jones, and Cyberpunk 2077
Steam's Summer Sale is on the way – and here are the games I'm expecting major discounts for
Cover art for Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade is a prime example of how PC ports should be done – ultrawide compatibility and stable performance are a must
Angry PC gamer sitting at a gaming desktop PC and losing
Steam's new in-game overlay offers some useful upgrades - and I'm particularly happy about one that exposes a controversial AI trick
A person streaming a PC game onto a handheld gaming device using Razer PC Remote Play.
Razer PC Remote Play lets you stream games to your iPhone – and it could convince me to switch from my gaming PC
Image of Naoe in AC Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is hands-down one of the most beautiful PC ports I've ever seen
Latest in News
Sony WH-1000XM6 with earcups pointed towards the camera
New leak may have revealed just about every Nothing Headphones 1 spec
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New and unofficial renders show how thin the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 could be – and we also have hints for when they'll go on sale
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: Jake Paul weighs in ahead of his fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at Honda Center on June 27, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr LIVE: fight replay, cheapest PPV deals for the boxing blockbuster, highlights
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, June 30 (game #1253)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, June 30 (game #484)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, June 30 (game #750)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I tried to make an immersive smart lighting gaming desk setup and failed horribly – here's why
  2. 2
    This app got my kids off YouTube and into learning through play
  3. 3
    I took this triple display on the road – here’s why business users will love it
  4. 4
    Forget the S10 - save $400 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra instead
  5. 5
    My June 2025 streaming picks: 9 of my favorite movies and shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...