June 4, 2014, Early Access
Simulation, Crowdfunding, FPP, Internet, Space, MMO, Multiplayer, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, TPP.
A space simulator created by Chris Roberts and the Cloud Imperium Games developer team. The plot of Star Citizen is set in the 30th century. Humanity, united under the banner of United Earth Empire, has begun the colonization of the universe, encountering many alien races in its course. It is a unique opportunity for adventurous pilots to gain fame and wealth, as well as the treasured status of an intergalactic empire citizen. The gameplay combines elements of spaceship simulator, shooter, cRPG, as well as economic strategy. The game offers two modes. Squadron 42 is an offline campaign, in which the player-controlled character joins an elite squadron of star fighters. For MMO aficionados, the developers have created the Galaxy Mode, allowing them to play with thousands of others. Spectacular visuals of Star Citizen are generated by the CryEngine 3 engine.
Users
December 16, 2014
Simulation, Crowdfunding, Economic, Internet, Co-op, Space, Meta Quest / Oculus, Multiplayer, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
The fourth installment in the Elite series. The game is a space simulator created again by David Braben and the Frontier studio. Elite: Dangerous is set in the far future; after humanity had colonized countless star systems, the Universe is dominated by three superpowers: the Empire, the Federation, and the Alliance. Brave pilots seek easy money working beyond the territories controlled by these entities. The open-world game structure offers the players large amounts of freedom when it comes to exploration, trading or completing military assignments. Instead of the classic division into the solo and multiplayer modes, the creators of Elite: Dangerous allow the player to join their friends or return to single-player experience at any time.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
April 27, 2015
Simulation, Educational, Indie Games, Space, Machines and Equipment, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
This is the debut from the independent developer Squad. The game is an unusual simulator requiring the player to develop their own space program from scratch. Kerbal Space Program combines features of many genres, but the most important part here is an extensive ship editor, which allows the player to design and build their own, unique spacecraft. The ship is then supposed to fly and land safely on a moon of the Kerbin planet. The spaceship is built from various elements - each of them affects it in flight and serves a specific purpose. Thanks to a realistic flight model, the player is capable of observing the effects of their work and monitoring a set of parameters describing the ship. Apart from the basic, sandbox mode, the game offers a set of story missions requiring the player to recruit a team, conduct research, build bases and visit dozens of planets.
Steam
Users
February 24, 2023, Early Access
Simulation, Crafting, Educational, Strategic Elements, Internet, Co-op, Space, Machines and Equipment, Multiplayer, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
The second installment of an extremely popular space conquering simulator, which allows to construct and pilot rockets and spaceships in a realistic way. Sequel offers many new possibilities, including building extraterrestrial colonies and discovering the secrets behind our solar system.
Steam
November 30, 2018
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A sandbox space simulator developed by Egosoft. It is the fourth full-fledged installment of the popular series X. Similarly to its predecessors, X4: Foundations focuses mostly on giving the players a freedom in how they want to play. At the beginning the player takes control of a cheap space ship with weak specifications. He is being thrown into the middle of an open galaxy. Depending on their choices, they can become a space merchant, a pirate, a soldier, a bounty hunter, an assassin, an explorer or a miner. The gameplay mechanics are more faithful to the first games in the series than to the newest installments. Many simplifications were removed in favor of mechanics known from X3: Terran Conflict, now improved and upgraded with some novelties. The player can pilot many types of ships that can be freely upgraded and modified. The dynamical game world is constantly shaped by player’s actions.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
January 27, 2025, Early Access
Simulation, Crafting, FPP, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, TPP.
A sequel to the popular sandbox game, in which engineering combines with exploration and trying to survive in space. In Space Engineers 2 we construct ships and space station in the newly discovered Almagest system. The second game offers a brand new story campaign, as well as more user friendly interface and underwater bases.
Steam
2026
Action, Crowdfunding, FPP, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A combination of space simulator and action adventure game, referring to such titles as Wing Commander. The production was initally designed as a solo campaign in Star Citizen, a game from Cloud Imperium Games - a company founded by the famous game developer Chris Roberts.
May 27, 2026, Early Access
Strategy, Economic, Simulation Elements, Indie Games, RTS, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A cross between a space strategy game and a simulation. Starminer has us controlling a space mining fleet, extracting resources, creating ships and defending ourselves from aliens.
September 14, 2012
Strategy, 2D, Crowdfunding, Adventure Elements, Indie Games, Space, Roguelike, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim, Turn-based.
A strategy set in sci-fi reality telling the story of a lonely ship trying to escape a huge war armada. The flight route is planned in turn-based mode and the fights are played in real time. In addition, we need to manage the crew and improve our unit. An additional attraction is the fact that every time you start a new game, the world is generated randomly.
Steam
Users
December 15, 2011
Simulation, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
X3: Albion Prelude is the next installment of the well-known cycle of space simulators, in which the player's task is to trade, fight and explore dozens of star systems. The title is a fictional introduction to X Rebrith and presents the events preceding the story presented in it.
Steam
Users
April 29, 2011, Early Access
Simulation, 2D, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
Starsector is a powerful space simulator developed by Fractal Softworks. During the adventure, the player sits at the helm of his own ship; the game does not impose specific objectives, opting for free exploration and character development.
October 17, 2008
Simulation, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
X3: Terran Conflict is the next installment of a well-known series of space-sims, i.e. simulators whose action takes place in the distant future, and the player's task is to explore space in a broad sense.
Steam
Users
June 11, 2019, Early Access
Simulation, Educational, Exploration Games, Indie Games, Space, Meta Quest / Oculus, Sandbox, Singleplayer, SteamVR, Space Sim, VR.
Space sandbox, which is a kind of interactive planetarium. In SpaceEngine we can freely travel through the interstellar space and see close up millions of different celestial bodies and land on their surface.
Users
October 15, 2020
Strategy, RPG Elements, Simulation Elements, Arcade Elements, Indie Games, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
Space Crew is a strategic and simulation survival from the creators of Bomber Crew, Runner Duck studio. This time the player, directing the crew of the spaceship, must defend the Earth from alien attacks, taking care of the development of people as well as the machine itself.
OpenCritic
Users
May 19, 2021
Simulation, FPP, Internet, Co-op, Space, Meta Quest / Oculus, Multiplayer, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, SteamVR, Space Sim, VR.
An extremely ambitious expansion to the Elite Dangerous space simulator, which is being developed from 2014. Odyssey offers, for the first time, the opportunity to explore and fight on the surface of the planets on foot and from a first person perspective.
OpenCritic
Users
November 5, 2020
Action, RPG Elements, Strategic Elements, Simulation Elements, Indie Games, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
The third main part of the space saga combining the features of action RPG and space simulator. At Starpoint Gemini 3 we have an even bigger galaxy and NPCs to talk to. The game is created by the independent studio Little Green Men.
Steam
July 26, 2017
Action, Crafting, Strategic Elements, Indie Games, Internet, Multiplayer, Science Fiction, Space Ships, Space Sim, Free-to-play.
A multiplayer action game developed by Pixel Federation. The players take part in space battles using ships built from a hodgepodge of parts found on space junkyards. The parameters and battle role of the individual ships is determined by the type of the ship (from a maneuverable frigate to a heavy battleship) and the chosen armament. Our ships can carry various weaponry, including rockets, lasers, or Gauss cannons. Additionally, we can also make use of useful modules, enabling us to immobilize an enemy or activate a defensive shield. The game revolves around team on team clashes – each match sees intense combat that involves locating our enemies and fighting on long distances – at the same time, the arenas contain numerous objects and space debris forcing us to maneuver or maintain a good heading. Aside from that, we are also given access to a special practice mode. Galactic Junk League is characterized by decent 3D graphics, while the game itself is distributed in a free-to-play model with microtransactions.
Steam
December 10, 2024, Early Access
Action, Internet, Co-op, Space, MMO, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Online, Space Ships, Survival, Space Sim.
A survival MMO set in the world of EVE Online. In EVE Frontier we fight to survive after ending up in a dangerous part of the universe. The game allows the players to create their content, relying on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies for transactions.
March 14, 2022
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
X4: Tides of Avarice is an expansion pack for the space simulator X4: Foundations. It enriches the game with new factions, additional sectors and ships, and the mechanisms of stellar phenomena and wreck scrapping.
Users
May 4, 2021
Simulation, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
X3: Farnham's Legacy is the next installment of the well-known space simulator series. This time we play the role of a pilot who is stuck on the frontiers of the known space. The game was developed by Egosoft studio.
Users
December 12, 2019
Simulation, 2.5D, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Starcom: The Nexus is a space sandbox, where the player takes on the role of a young commander who takes control of his own ship. By accident, it ends up in an unknown galaxy. There he starts exploring the mysterious space and tries to find his way home.
August 15, 2019
Simulation, 2D, Indie Games, Space, Roguelike, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Shortest Trip to Earth is a combination of a spacecraft simulator and a roguelike. During the game, the player explores the procedurally generated universe. Interactive Fate studio is responsible for the production and Iceberg Interactive is responsible for the release.
Users
August 29, 2014
Action, Internet, Space, MOBA, Multiplayer, Science Fiction, Space Sim.
The debut production of Nine Dots studio, which combines features of a classic space simulator with elements of modern network games of MOBA type. The game pits two teams of four players against each other, each at the helm of their own starfighter. The aim of the game is to destroy a powerful cruiser of the opposing team, which acts as a base ship.
Steam
Users
November 1, 2012
RPG, Indie Games, Space, Action RPG, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Humorous, cosmic action game, combining elements of classic arcade space-sims with modern RPG productions, offering hundreds of missions, freedom of exploration and crafting system. We find ourselves in the middle of a civil war fought by people with galactic range, which is additionally complicated by the appearance of a technologically advanced race of aliens.
Steam
Users
December 6, 2017
Action, Strategic Elements, Internet, MMO, Multiplayer, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, Free-to-play.
A competitive free-to-play multiplayer game that combines the characteristics of a space simulation, action game, and strategy. It was created by Yager Development, a team known for the FPS Spec Ops: The Line. The game takes you into the future, putting you amid a heated rivalry between powerful factions that aim to colonize space. As a mercenary you pick up various jobs from whoever pays the most. Gameplay focuses on battles fought between the players both in space and in the atmosphere of nearby planets. One of the title’s characteristic features, is the fact that instead of a fast and agile fighter you command a massive space dreadnought and are given the control of every element of your vessel: starting from individual mechanical parts through weapons to her crew. You can also assembly squads of smaller ships and command them in battles. Dreadnought boasts excellent graphics that translate into great visual experience.
Steam
Users
May 23, 2017
Strategy, RPG Elements, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A spin-off to the space strategy series Starpoint Gemini, developed by creators from Little Green Man studio. The ideas for the game were based on players’ feedback gathered during Steam Early Stage. The action of Starpoint Gemini Warlords takes place in the same universe as the former titles of the series, and concentrates on rivalry between the ruling Empire and the resistance calling themselves the Gemini League. Gameplay is very similar to that in the title’s former parts. You assume the role of a space ship captain who tries to survive in the world ravaged by conflicts by trading in resources, hunting down various criminals, and fighting space pirates. The game features a universe almost eight times bigger, where the players can create and develop their space bases. It is worth mentioning that this installment introduces a more diverse world and space ship kinds, more upgrades and weapons, and an option of conquering another territories.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Internet, Co-op, Meta Quest / Oculus, Multiplayer, PlayStation VR, Science Fiction, SteamVR, Space Sim, VR.
Multiplayer-focused space simulator set in a fictional universe created by Crowd Control Productions (CCP Games) for their MMO title, EVE Online. This game is set in the distant future, long after humans living in the New Eden solar system get separated from the rest of the universe because of the collapse of a wormhole leading back to the Milky Way. Isolated from their kinsmen, in time they split up into five opposing factions competing for resources and space for expansion. The game puts you in the cockpit of one of the fighters known from EVE Online and participate in space skirmishes. The gameplay was designed to reward skill of individual players, not the statistics of their characters. What is more, EVE: Valkyrie supports virtual reality headsets for an even more immersive experience.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, FPP, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Continuation of the star Wing Commander saga in the form of an interactive film with live actors. The Confederacy loses the war with Kilrathi on all fronts. Lieutenant Christopher Blair, stationed on the aircraft carrier Victory, may change the course of the war.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, FPP, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Take on the role of Lieutenant Blair and immerse yourself in a great epic story, fight the enemy race Kilrathi and do everything to save our civilization.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Economic, Internet, Space, MMO, PvE, PvP, Science Fiction, Space Ships, Space Sim, Free-to-play.
Extended MMO, prepared for mobile devices. EVE: Echoes tries to offer on the screen of a phone or tablet the depth that is associated with EVE: Online. The production was created by NetEase Games studio (in cooperation with CCP Games).
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Cradle of Humanity is another expansion to the space simulator X4: Foundations. The add-on introduces new sectors of the game world and adds two factions with unique ships, economics and star stations.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Indie Games, Space, Machines and Equipment, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Kerbal Space Program: Breaking Ground Expansion is the second add-on to the 2015 space simulator entitled Kerbal Space Program. This expansion allows players to explore planets and conduct scientific research.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Economic, Humorous, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A space sandbox from a group of developers known for the arcade racing game called Pressure. Cosmonautica allows us to become a captain of a spaceship, his objective being to build a small trading company. The player can explore the galaxy, comprised of randomly generated star systems, and search for various goods that are capable of bringing a profit. During our visits in spaceports, we can take up tasks that may end up in a fight. Management of the ship and its crew is an important aspect of the game – the vessel requires constant refuels, repairs, and modifications to stay competitive, while our crew has to be taken care of, and assigned to various tasks, all while making sure that the individual crew members want to cooperate with each other. Aside from the sandbox mode, the game contains the ability to create and take part in single scenarios. Cosmonautica is characterized by simple cartoonish visuals.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Movies, FPP, Internet, Space, Multiplayer, PlayStation VR, Science Fiction, TV Series, Star Trek, SteamVR, Space Sim, VR.
A spaceflight simulator game developed mainly for virtual reality headsets by Ubisoft Red Storm, best known for many action games based on Tom Clancy's works. Star Trek: Bridge Crew is set in the cinematic universe based on the popular science-fiction TV series. During the game, you explore a previously unknown region of the galaxy, known as the Trench, in search for a new home for the Vulcan race. The gameplay was designed with a co-op mode for four players in mind, and each player becomes a different crew member of the ship. The positions to choose from are: Captain, Helmsman, Engineer, and Tactical Officer. Each of them has unique duties, which you perform by using the ship's equipment in the virtual world. Star Trek: Bridge Crew features attractive 3D visuals, stylized to resemble the game's movie predecessor.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Action, 2D, Crafting, Indie Games, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim.
Nimbatus: The Space Drone Constructor is a 2D dexterity simulator, in which we build more and more perfect drones from available parts. The player has to adapt the machine parameters to a specific mission using a special editor or take into account the annihilation of the drona by enemy robots. A bit of engineering inventiveness is also useful - in some tasks manoeuvrable scouts will perform better, while others require large combat platforms.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Strategy, 2D, Indie Games, Space, Roguelike, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, Tactics.
A real-time strategy with tactical battles and roguelite mechanics, heavily inspired by FTL. Void War is about commanding the crew of a space ship and taking part in randomly generated battles. The story takes place in a dark and brutal techno-gothic science fiction universe.
Steam
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Indie Games, Space, Polish, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, TPP.
A Polish space simulator created by a single developer. Wreckborn throws us into a randomly generated outer space and challenges us to clear the area of pirates. To achieve this, we must build bases, manage resources, and ultimately engage in dynamic spaceship battles.
Steam
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Action, FPP, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, TPP.
Steam
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Economic, Strategic Elements, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
An expansion to a 2018 sandbox space simulator. X4: Timelines introduces various scenarios and many unlockable rewards. The DLC debuted alongside a large, free update 7.00.
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Indie Games, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Capital Command is a spaceship simulator in which we take command of a capital ship and fight an enemy fleet controlled by rogue AI. Campaign is procedurally generated and the game focuses on realism, including forcing the player to modify, manuever and repair the ship.
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, FPP, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, TPP.
The last part of Colony Wars space simulator trilogy. The conflict between the colonial league and the Earth Empire is at its best, but this time the player does not stand directly on either side. In the third part we play Alexander Lyron Valdemar - a simple miner who extracts minerals from asteroids. Tired of dreams of a mysterious alien race, he goes in search of the legendary Red Sun ship. This crusade forces him to become a pilot to hire, and during the campaign he carries out orders for the best paying employers.
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, FPP, PlayStation VR, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Ships, Space Sim, VR.
A space simulator created specifically for VR headsets. The player assumes the role of a pilot working for the powerful United Trade Consortium. Aboard a spaceship, the player defends the company's resources against rebels that try to sabotage actions of the UTC. The player controls a combat ship and fights their foes while observing the events from the first-person view. The game uses the player's body movements, as one targets their enemies by moving their head. The player makes use of an extensive weaponry that includes mainly laser guns and rocket launchers. Completing subsequent contracts, the player gradually climbs the military ladder, gaining access to both completely new weapons and different upgrades increasing the player's combat potential. End Space comes with high-quality visuals - what is especially worth noticing are the advanced special effects and detailed ship models.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Space, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A mobile strategy simulation game and the first production by Stromtide Limited, created with the help of astronautics experts. In Satellite Command your task is to oversee a satellite network orbiting the Earth. There are 150 mission in the game, featuring various goals, and your main obstacles are your limited resources and the permadeath system, severely punishing you for even the smallest of mistakes. You have to e.g. manage the parameters of particular satellites, their applications and names, as well as purchase the necessary upgrades and set the satellites' orbits. You have to carefully plan all your actions from the very beginning, so you can avoid creating a space collision, which would mean starting the game from scratch. Satellite Command utilizes the advanced Unreal Engine 4.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Indie Games, Internet, Co-op, Space, LAN, Multiplayer, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A sandbox space simulator, in which we find ourselves in a distant future and try to learn the truth about the great cataclysm. This gives us an excuse to explore the vast galaxy on ships made up of modules, alone or together behind friends.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, RPG Elements, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim, TPP.
SpaceBourne is a space sandbox with RPG elements. The Earth was ravaged by a plague sent by aliens. The player takes on the role of "Commander" - the last representative of the human race, who sets out to conquer the galaxy.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Internet, MMO, Science Fiction, Space Sim, Free-to-play.
An MMO space simulator reminiscent of the cult Wing Commander series. The game was created by Star Gem, an in-house studio of Russian Gaijin Entertainment. The action takes us to the distant future where the power in the galaxy is held by powerful empires and groups of mercenaries. When the remains of the ancient civilization of the Forerunners are discovered in space, thousands of daredevils and adventurers set off in search of ancient treasures and artifacts, and players take on the role of one of them.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Space, Singleplayer, Space Sim, TPP.
Mars Simulator 2011 is a Stonehill Games simulator that lets you steer your space rover. Thanks to the game we can face an unfriendly environment and get to know the history of Mars.
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Strategic Elements, Singleplayer, SteamVR, Space Sim, VR.
A science-fiction tactical space simulator shooter. It is the debut title of Marauder Interactive – a studio founded by Mike Tipul, one of the designers of Halo: Reach. In the game, the player assumes the role of one of loyal commanders of dead Emperor, who is tasked with punishing the traitors which caused the monarch’s death. In order to do it, player takes control of a modern fighter jet, Executor Mk II, and commands the remains of the defeated fleet of the empire. The gameplay mechanics in House of the Dying Sun are based on classic space simulators. However, they are supplemented with expanded strategic aspect. During the missions, player is not only tasked with controlling the ship, but commanding a whole squadron through a special tactical screen similar to the one from Homeworld series as well.
Steam
Users
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Simulation, Crowdfunding, RPG Elements, Strategic Elements, Indie Games, Space, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
A science-fiction sandbox with additional role playing and real-time strategy elements. The action of Limit Theory takes place in the distant future, in a world established by legendary space pioneers who’ve began their quest by creating the Ancient Colony – the first human settlement in deep space. The swift advancement was possible thanks to the titular Limit Theory, a rule stating that the only existing limitation are the bounds of human mind, and that a person with enough willpower can defeat any obstacle. The game is a sandbox taking place in a procedurally-generated world. We are given a small ship and a freedom to do as we please, including a number of available careers, such as mercenary work, exploring, resource acquisition, or trading. The available camera views and control scheme are similar to what we could experience in the famed space simulators, such as Freelancer or Elite: Dangerous. Later parts of the game enable us to amass power and influence necessary to take control of an extensive territory and field military units which can be led in a manner seen in most real-time strategy games.
August 5, 2022, End of Life
Strategy, 4X, RPG Elements, Space, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Space Sim.
Sequel of the warmly received production of Little Green Men studio, which combines features of traditional 4X strategy with elements of RPG and space simulator. The plot of the game takes us back to the vast universe of Gemini and tells the continuation of the story begun in the first installment of the series. The axis of the action is the conflict between the ruling Empire and the rival rebels, called the Gemini League.
Steam
Users
