Top 10 RPGs for Intergalactic Exploration and Adventure

Recall that thrill of launching Final Fantasy 7 on the original PlayStation for the first time, or maybe diving into an MMO like World of Warcraft? Role-playing games (RPGs) have offered players a realm to discover for decades, and the technology continues to advance. It’s no longer just about navigating a single universe; galaxies can now be fully depicted on the PS5 and beyond.

Space and planetary exploration have been a staple theme in video games for quite some time now, and with advanced technology, they appear more realistic on modern consoles. It’s worth exploring RPGs that feature space travel and planet selection to evaluate how effectively these elements contribute to each other’s overall experience, and rank them accordingly.

8. Rogue Galaxy

Level-5 Goes Intergalactic

The last original PlayStation 2 game released by Level-5 was called “Rogue Galaxy”. This game was quite ambitious and players take on the role of explorer Jaster, who finds himself unwillingly joining a group of space pirates for an exciting new journey. The adventure begins on a barren planet, but things quickly take a turn when your ship, resembling a galley, crashes in a lush jungle instead of allowing you to choose a new destination from the galaxy map. Although the initial stages of the game are somewhat linear, the real galaxy map will eventually open up. However, exploration of planets during the early hours of the game is simplified as they function more like dungeons rather than expansive open-world environments.

7. Kingdom Hearts 2

Connecting Between More Disney Worlds

In contrast to its predecessor, Kingdom Hearts 2 offers a significant enhancement by introducing additional realms to delve into. For instance, some of the new Disney-themed planets introduced are Port Royal from Pirates of the Caribbean and Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast. Notably, this game also incorporates ship-based combat between planets as an added feature. While transitioning to a new world makes space combat optional, the improved mechanics of the Gummi Ship make it just as enjoyable as land battles for many players. The exploration of these planets follows a more linear path and can typically be completed in a few hours, but the diversity of Disney-themed worlds offers an appealing range for fans to savor.

6. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time

The Last Hurrah For Space Exploration

The “Ratchet & Clank” franchise started off with an adventure through space, visiting numerous planets, although the journey was structured sequentially. In the sequel, role-playing aspects were enhanced, allowing Ratchet to enhance both his health and weaponry by leveling up.

In the initial journey, there was space combat, much like in Kingdom Hearts 2’s design. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time was one of the major installments that featured this space combat, and it brought a significant change. Players had more freedom to traverse space as they navigated towards planets, engaging in traditional platforming. Unfortunately, the latest addition, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, did not offer as much openness regarding the ship exploration.

5. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

The Best Game Based Off The Films?

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, developed by BioWare, is widely acclaimed as one of the best Star Wars games ever made. Set thousands of years before the events depicted in the films, this game allows creators to delve into the universe without being tied down by continuity concerns such as Darth Vader’s whereabouts. Fans will recognize iconic planets like Tatooine and Kashyyyk, but the game offers a fresh perspective due to its earlier timeframe. While the original Xbox made these planets feel expansive at the time, modern standards limit exploration somewhat. The game doesn’t feature space battles or real-time ship travel between planets; instead, these aspects are handled through menus.

4. Mass Effect

Explore Moons With Your Rover

In simple terms, the Mass Effect trilogy revolves around exploring alien worlds, encountering various species, and battling adversaries with firearms and mental abilities. Compared to the other two, the initial game offers more space exploration between destinations. Players can navigate their spaceship to reach stations, planets, and moons. One distinctive feature is the M35 Mako, a vehicle that allows exploration of certain celestial bodies. This moon rover is capable of scanning rocks and collecting materials useful for players. However, this feature was met with mixed opinions and was eliminated in later installments, leaving some fans yearning for its return.

3. Borderlands 3

Many Vaults Are Waiting

In the game Borderlands 3, developers introduced enough modifications to offer a fresh experience without feeling too similar to previous versions. Players can select from four characters, each with their unique classes, who are all Vault Hunters. However, what sets this game apart is the hub ship, Sanctuary 3, which serves as a central location for various activities. This vessel allows players to travel to far-off planets in search of numerous Vaults.

Previous games primarily centered around a singular planet and a solitary Vault to unlock. In contrast, Borderlands 3 adopts a more direct dungeon-crawling style, inspired by Diablo, encouraging players whether solo or in teams with friends, to traverse the universe in search of riches.

2. Destiny 2

Go Ghosting With Friends

In 2017, Destiny 2 made its debut, and since then, developer Bungie has continued to provide new content for the game. The planets and campaigns in Destiny 2 have evolved over time, with fresh content added and changes made. Players could choose which planets they wanted to visit, and their personalized spacecraft would make its way there. Although exploration was confined to specific areas, some planets had more expansive zones than others, giving the game a feel that was not entirely open-world. However, the diverse biomes in the game are truly remarkable and continue to impress players today. For instance, Venus is vibrant and lush while the Moon of Earth exudes a chilling, ominous atmosphere.

1. The Outer Worlds

A Familiar RPG But In Space

In essence, The Outer Worlds bears a striking resemblance to Fallout: New Vegas, considering it was developed by the same team, Obsidian Entertainment. Remarkably similar to their previous works, The Outer Wilds offers classic RPG elements such as companions, dialogue options, and creative combat systems made possible by an extensive array of weapons. Furthermore, players were allowed to customize their spaceship and venture across numerous open-world planets. The process of traveling between these planets was automated, although some planets seemed incomplete because of the game’s narrative structure. Essentially, The Outer Wilds portrayed the Old West for humanity as colonization was still ongoing. Fortunately, the game was successful enough to warrant a sequel, potentially expanding on space exploration further.

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2025-02-14 06:07