Space Sci-Fi Games With Incredible Sense Of Scale

Key Takeaways

Space games offer huge sandbox maps, some with trillions of star systems to explore.
Avorion is like Minecraft in space, letting players design and build their ships voxel by voxel.
No Man’s Sky has the largest game map ever, with over 1.6 quadrillion star systems to explore.

As a seasoned space exploration enthusiast who has spent countless hours traversing the virtual cosmos, I can confidently say that these games offer an unparalleled sense of scale and adventure. Each one offers a unique perspective on space travel and exploration, from the voxel-based procedural generation of No Man’s Sky to the player-driven economy of EVE Online.

Spacewar! marked the beginning of video gaming in 1962. Since then, space has consistently been a significant theme in video games, and space simulation games have maintained their popularity. Some space games strive for realistic portrayals of space travel by incorporating actual physics, while others prioritize enjoyable gameplay over accuracy.

A common feature among numerous space-themed video games is a vast, open-world game environment, often resembling a sandbox. Some titles provide thousands, or even billions of star systems for players to discover. One game boasts over a trillion star systems! The expansive scale these games offer serves as proof of the developers’ skill in creating an authentic space experience that truly embodies the vastness of the cosmos.

7 Avorion

Voxel-Based Space Fun

Platforms: GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS
Released: January 23, 2017
Developer: Boxelware, Boxelware GmbH
Genre: Simulation Video Game, Indie game, Adventure game, Shooter Video Game

Avorion bears a strong resemblance to Minecraft, but set in space. Like its terrestrial counterpart, it employs voxel graphics for every game item. What sets it apart is the player’s ability to construct their own spaceships, brick by brick.

In the game “Avorion”, the map is expansive and not every region can be accessed immediately by the player. Instead, the game employs a progression system where certain bosses are defeated and new, lucrative areas of the map are unlocked, offering better resources. The extensive travel across the vast map in “Avorion” consumes time, creating an authentic feeling of scale, which is one of the reasons it was included on this list.

6 Kerbal Space Program

To The Moon!

As a gamer, I’d say “Kerbal Space Program” is an extraordinary game that beautifully blends a charming and whimsical look with some genuinely mind-blowing physics. In this cosmic adventure, it’s up to us players to create our very own spaceships. However, the challenge lies in ensuring our designs are not only visually appealing but also robust enough to combat Earth’s strong pull and safely transport the Kerbal crew to their intended destinations.

This game has been included on the list due to its open-ended exploration feature. In this aspect, the player experiences a genuine feeling of vastness as they strive to conquer the challenge of leaving a planet and navigating extensive cosmic distances.

5 Space Engineers

Excellent Space Survival

Space Engineers is a game that seamlessly combines various genres into one immersive experience. It offers base construction, intricate building tools, resource gathering, and undeniably challenging survival elements. Players have the freedom to create virtually anything they can conceive, using a collection of standard blocks. There are numerous excellent expansion packs available which introduce new block varieties.

The immense feeling of scale that Space Engineers offers stems from two aspects. Initially, escaping the gravitational pull of a planet is no small feat. However, once in space, traveling between celestial bodies within our solar system becomes a lengthy process, with journeys often taking several hours to complete.

4 EVE Online

Long Running MMORPG

EVE Online, for over two decades now, has proven itself as a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) that’s made history. It’s marked numerous world records, including the most participants in a single online conflict and the largest real-world money loss during an online battle. Its player-driven economy and dedicated community create a sophisticated and immersive gameplay experience.

Approximately 5,000 star systems are constantly linked on our cosmic chart, along with an additional 2,500 wormhole systems that shift. The enormity of this expanse is striking, as traversing it can consume numerous hours. Furthermore, vast regions of space are governed by players, which not only amplifies the scale but also introduces elements of potential danger.

3 X4: Foundations

The Most Recent X Game

The X series stands out among less popular space simulation game franchises. For instance, X4: Foundations, along with its downloadable content expansions, offer a distinct experience within the genre. Players have the liberty to assume the role of a solitary space pilot, engaging in combat or they can opt for controlling an extensive armada of vessels and building an empire. Typically, players find themselves adopting a combination of these roles.

In terms of size, the X4 game map isn’t extraordinarily vast; yet, it requires considerable time to thoroughly investigate each region, discovering entryways to other systems, space stations, and various interesting locations.

2 ELITE Dangerous

Massive Star Map

In many games, you won’t find a map as vast as the one in ELITE Dangerous, encompassing more than 4000 billion star systems. Players are given the liberty to traverse and take advantage of these systems at their leisure. The grandeur of the scale is breathtaking, and the travel durations can stretch into real-life days or even weeks in certain instances.

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning ELITE Dangerous, and it only takes second place on this list because it lacks the depth of the final entry, No Man’s Sky. However, it is a vastly rewarding game for a certain niche of players, who put realism above content.

1 No Man’s Sky

Survival Meets Exploration

In “No Man’s Sky,” you’ll find the most extensive game map ever created, stretching across an astronomical 1,649 trillion, trillion star systems waiting to be explored. That’s a mind-boggling scale! The game was introduced in 2016, and so far, only a tiny portion of these star systems have been uncovered by players.

As I dive into this expansive universe, it’s mind-blowing to discover that each star system teems with numerous planets and various celestial bodies. In essence, it feels like an endless adventure, constantly evolving thanks to regular free DLC drops and updates, making the experience even more engaging over time.

2024-10-09 14:33