A Selection Of Games About Space. Popular, Niche And Fun Projects About Conquering The Stars

On April 12, 1961, the world's first human space flight took place. This event marked the beginning of a new stage in the exploration of the stars by man. We have compiled a selection of the best space games so that everyone can feel like a pioneer of space distances.

Here is a selection of unusual space exploration games that can offer a unique experience in their own way: some will tell an interesting story, others will offer an unusual look at the interaction of humanity and the universe, and others can become a real immersive theater. Space is boundless and multifaceted, and therefore, its representation in popular culture is truly diverse. When creating the collection, I tried to avoid the most popular projects, but some games are simply impossible to ignore. Let's go!

Kerbal Space Program

Developer: Squad
Publisher: Private Division
Release date: April 27, 2015
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

How does space exploration begin? Right. With the construction of a spacecraft capable of overcoming gravity and making us a little closer to the stars.

Kerbal Space Program is probably the best spaceship construction simulator. The project has come a long way, from the demo version on the developer's website, released in 2011, to worldwide recognition after the release of the full version in 2015.

A distinctive feature of the game is a realistic physical model: when creating spacecraft, it is necessary to take into account the laws of aerodynamics orbital motion and track many other parameters.

There are three modes available for the game: a sandbox with great freedom of choice, a career where you have to take on the role of the head of the space program, a scientific mode in which, as a scientist, you need to explore the expanses of the Solar system.

Thanks to the depth and attention to detail, mastodons such as Elon Musk, NASA, and the European Space Agency have turned their attention to the game, and some organizations use it as a learning tool. Steam platform users have left 97% positive reviews for the game.

As part of the post-release support, the additions Making History and Breaking Ground were released. The latter expanded the possibilities of scientific research, and the former brought references to the Soviet and American space programs of the XX century.

In 2023, Kerbal Space Program 2 received a full-fledged release, but the project is inferior to the first part in everything except graphics and received the title of a paid alpha test in the community. A year later, the sequel is still in a raw state: an abundance of bugs and stripped-down mechanics brought the game only 57% positive reviews. In addition, for the first part, there is a modification of Parallax 2.0, with the visual component surpassing the sequel on all fronts.

Among the disadvantages of KSP, it is worth noting the high complexity — without guides, this is not an easy undertaking. If you are afraid of the high entry threshold, you can try Space Flight Simulator, but keep in mind that this is a very stripped-down version of KSP.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker

Developer: Blackbird Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Release date: May 24, 2022
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5

The year is 2329. The problem of waste disposal has reached a cosmic scale. You are a ship utilizer. An elite fighter of the garbage front. In search of a way to pay off your debts, you will have to take out a loan for a modest amount of ... 1,252,594,441.92 dollars to pay for equipment for work. The price also includes the storage of genetic information for subsequent cloning. Well, you never know, it's not an easy job. After signing a dubious employment contract and completing a little training, you get to work. Your task is to cut disassemble obsolete spacecraft, and dispose of garbage according to the instructions. 

It is almost impossible to find an analogy for such a game in the industry. The process of disassembling spaceships consists of many stages: it is necessary to disconnect and disconnect everything that is poorly screwed on, make sure that oxygen is pumped out to avoid a big "BOOM!", gradually disassemble and cut the skin. The gameplay is inherently extremely methodical and sticky, but don't be naive (!) — a greedy corporation will squeeze all the juices out of you. Therefore, if you are too slow, the work shift will end, you will not earn enough money, and your debt will only continue to grow.

The project received 92% positive reviews on the Steam platform, but users note the insufficient variety of ships for parsing and the high price tag. "At a discount, that's it!"

Breathedge

Developer: RedRuins Softworks
Publisher: HypeTrain Digital, RedRuin Softworks
Release date: February 25, 2021
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Breathedge is a space survivor from the RedRuins Softworks studio. The project is a nuclear cocktail of absurd humor and references to popular culture with a touch of domestic retrofuturism in the middle of space wastelands. Developers now and then manage to break through both the fourth wall and a new bottom. However, a sense of humor is a subjective concept.

You will play as an unlucky middle-aged cosmonaut who just wanted to bury his grandfather. But the liner carrying the coffins had explosive plans. And here you are greeted by a classic survivalist, with simple mechanics and a ton of backtracking, which is compensated by a farce unfolding in outer space.

The game, of course, is able to give a good mood and a sense of exploration, and the unpretentious background music only emphasizes the overall atmosphere. There is a simple system of crafting equipment, vehicles, and your own base, as well as simple puzzles. In the second half of the game, you will be met with battles that also do not represent a severe test. Unpretentious lamp—like are synonyms of this game, but, unfortunately, in the end, this simplicity can tire: the project begins to choke on monotony, and jokes are increasingly finding a new bottom.

Unfortunately, the creators of the game took lessons from Sven Vinke in his "best years", and therefore the final third of the adventure can blur the overall impression of the project. In three years of early access, the developers could not fully understand how they should complete the game, and therefore, instead of a bold dot, we got a ridiculous blot on the last page of this story. Last year, the developers announced Breathedge 2, which promised to fix all the flaws of the original.

If you are tired of the "gloomy face" of space simulators but love this topic, the project will be great entertainment for a couple of evenings.

Outer Wilds

Developer: Mobius Digital
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release date: May 29, 2019
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

Come on, in and out — a 22-minute adventure. Outer Wilds is a surreal atmospheric journey filled to the brim with the spirit of exploration. You are a representative of an alien people from the village of Kamelek, chosen by the pilot to participate in a scientific program for space exploration. However, the boat is made of improvised materials, and at first, it is not even clear how it can fly. However, these are small things. 

The solar system of the local civilization is on the verge of disaster, and you have exactly 22 minutes to get to the truth. Then, the cycle will start again. The concept of a time loop is extremely interesting in itself, and combined with space exploration and various anomalies, it creates a completely unique combination.

Here, an endless map of outer space is not spread out in front of you: There are only eight celestial bodies available for exploration, not far from your planet and some other places. But the lack of scale is more than compensated for by the content — this world is full of secrets and mysteries, and a new adventure awaits you around every corner. The story, although it does not pretend to be a revelation, but the finale leaves behind a pleasant aftertaste of light sadness. And maybe someday you will warmly remember the time you spent in it.

Moons of Madness

Developer: Rock Pocket Games
Publisher: Funcom
Release date: October 22, 2019
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

The works of the "founding father" of the space horror genre, Howard Philips Lovecraft, have been exciting the minds of science fiction fans for more than a hundred years. Game creators are no exception, but there are not so many truly successful representations of his work in the gaming industry. What happens if we combine the "Ridges of Madness" and the alluring unknown of the red planet? Moons of Madness.

In the game, you try to play the role of the chief engineer of a research station on Mars. At first, nothing portends trouble - you are immersed in everyday work, introducing and building the rules by which this world works. But soon, you realize that the abyss has already turned its gaze in your direction. Ahead is darkness and the realization of one's insignificance before the power of the "other."

This is by no means a horror in the classical sense but an atmospheric adventure with a good plot. Unlike most games that refer to the works of Lovecraft, in the final, the player receives answers to most of the questions, which is why the project is perceived as a whole work.