Sci-Fi games allow players to experience adventures in thevast and wondrous setting of space. Plenty of games that focus on this may confine an individual to a singular location or simply state that it is space without giving players a chance to take a look outside.

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Meanwhile, other Sci-Fi titles, especially those that make the most of the open-world genre, release the player from their spaceship prison to explore the surrounding universe. These Sci-Fi titles are by far the best for allowing players to experience the wonders of space while sitting in front of their PC or gaming console.

10Kerbal Space Program

Sandbox simulation games give players thefreedom to explore at their own pace, andKerbal Space Programis no different. Players get to control a space program for the alien race known as Kerbals, who wish to explore space.

Besides the excitement of putting together a Kerbal space team and creating the perfect ship for travel, once players have got into space, they are free to explore the wondrous solar system that the Kerbals call home, spotting a variety of stars and moons which can also be landed upon and explored further.

Image of a Kerbal Landing on the Moon from Kerbal Space Program.

9Observation

Claiming a horror Sci-Fi experience to be wondrous may seem rather confusing, especially as the majority of the game takes place in a Space Station, but there is a lot more to discover. First, the player takes on the role of S.A.M, the ship’s AI, as they observe the crew of the vessel; this allows players to experience space through a different lens.

The interesting story and the unfamiliarity of the situation will leave players wondering what is going on as they solve each puzzle and continuethis interesting narrative.

An close up of a woman astronaut holding a robot that looks like an eye in Observation

8Star Trek Online

Fans of theStar Trekfranchise are sure to be interested in putting their knowledge to the test by playing the MMOStar Trek Online. Filled with well-known characters, intriguing stories, and fascinating worlds, players are sure to enjoy their time exploring space in this format.

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Better yet, due to it being a massively multiplayer title, players don’t need to explore alone as they can invite their friends along on an epic adventure through space. Allowing a group of them to explore the wonders available.

7Stellaris

Even strategy titles can allow players to explore the wonders of space;Stellarisis a great example of this, as playersexpand their colonyacross planets and other solar systems while still pushing for exploration.

While a player may be stressing over creating connections or avoiding catastrophic events, they should take time to appreciate the beautiful map setup the game uses. Star Maps help show how expansive a colony is as well as the other amazing graphics that present the beauty of space around the player.

Star Trek Online Federation Ships Defending DS9

6EVE Online

EVEis one of the biggest and greatest free space-themed MMOs available to players, with a variety of activities in store that will keep those hoping to explore the outer rims of space.

Not only is there a wide range of professions a player can take claim of, butEVE Onlinealso claims that there are over 7800 systems for players to explore with a wide variety of ships to use to explore them. With so many wondrous locations to find, players are unlikely to get bored with the space adventures they will have alongside the people they meet along the way.

Stellaris - Teachers of the Shroud

5Space Engineers

For players that explore building spaceships and like to challenge themselves to build the most impressive spacecraft, thenSpace Engineersis the game for them. Players start the game on a random planet where they must gain resources to survive.

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Eventually, they will make enough to maketheir very own spacecraft, and that’s when the real fun begins. Being able to enter space will open players to even more exploration as they hunt for planets that have the resources they need or a great place to put their base.

4Star Citizen

InStar Citizen, players are born into a space world filled with a community of players that just wish to explore, trade, and take on opposing space organizations. As another Sci-Fi MMO, it is of no surprise that this expansive first-person universe relies on each player to make an expansive economical wonder of space.

Teaming up with other players to make their own organization or space crew, as well as simply making a name for themselves,Star Citizenis a great game for those that wish to become a part of space, living in a beautifully crafted world.

A massive space battle in EVE Online

3Elite Dangerous

Many players have wished that they would one day beable to go to spaceand explore the Milky Way; now, withElite Dangerous, players can do exactly that with a re-created version of the system in its galactic proportions.

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While firstly a space flight simulation game, being able to get into a spacecraft and fly between the asteroids to different planets is not only an interesting experience but an exciting one. The actions of the players in this MMO is what causes the environment to change as each win or loss of a battle will alter the world around them in an evolving narrative.

2Outer Wilds

Stepping away from the massively multiplayer experience,Outer Wildsis a space exploration story that players face alone. In this, at times, relaxing game, players are attempting to solve the mystery of a solar system strapped in an endless time loop.

There are mysteries buried deeply in some planets visited by players, as there is more than one secret to unravel in the award-winningOuter Wilds. What makes this title even greater is how the world changes as time goes on and how the player must be cautious to not bury their ship as they face hazardous terrain.

Two astronauts standing on a ship looking out at space and a planet while another astronaut floats in Space Engineers

1No Man’s Sky

One of the greatest Sci-Fi titles to ever be created that has expanded consistently since its creation has beenNo Man’s Sky. This title rewards exploration and discovery as players move from system to system discovering new planets, species, and plants in each biome.

Learning is a big factor ofNo Man’s Skyas players gradually discover the languages of the aliens they meet to better communicate with them. Not to mention helping different factions, so they can continue to grow their character into an extraordinary explorer of space.

Mark Hamill as a member of Squadron 42 in Star Citizen

A burning starin Elite Dangerous

Outer Wilds Visiting Explorers Once means missing out on important dialogue

Image from No Man’s Sky showing a glowing red outer space filled with ships and freighters.